Curriculum Vitae

Click here for a PDF copy of my CV.

Skills summary

  • Programming languages: Python, MATLAB, Java, Mathematica, LaTeX, LabVIEW “G”
  • Fabrication tools: Rapid prototyping (3D printing, laser cutter), manual and G-code machining.
  • Software: MATLAB, LabVIEW, SolidWorks, Blender, XFOIL, Linux.
  • Scientifi c: Experimental design and analysis, especially in aero/fluid mechanics.
  • Communications: authored 10+ papers and conference presentations.
  • Languages: English (native), French (literate), Spanish (basic).

Experience

  • Independent contractor. 12/2019 – Present
    • Designed and authored efficient, accurate tools for optimizing fiber industry processes.
    • Extreme time savings: 1.5 second simulation runtime vs 3 hour industrial tests.
    • Delivered code with user-friendly documentation, iterated with the client to ensure satisfaction.
  • Independent researcher.
    • Evolutionary algorithms in MATLAB and XFOIL to optimize airfoils: increasing L/D by 30%
    • Cryptographic and artistic image processing. Manuscripts submitted and in preparation.
  • Postdoctoral Fellow at the Université Catholique de Louvain: 08/2017 – 10/2019
    • Applied machine learning tools to control simulated aerodynamic systems, such as reducing turbulent loads.
    • Developed an internal codebase of machine learning algorithms and aerodynamic models to support the research team.
    • Simulated efficiency of formation flight of aircraft, and optimized flock changes, reducing fuel use by 15%.
    • Coached four PhD candidates in their research.
  • Graduate Researcher at the California Institute of Technology: 08/2012 – 06/2017
    • Created a novel vortex-gust generation system, with reduced experimental interference with the test article. Investigated separated flow, vortex dynamics, and fluid-structure interaction.
    • Designed and built an experimental testing apparatus including its control/actuation system.
      • Designed a custom modular wing to be 3D printed, with a stepper motor actuated flap. Machined its lightweight and stiff support structure.
      • Designed, assembled, and characterized a computer controlled heaving plate to generate gusts.
      • Designed and implemented efficient LabVIEW programs to actuate the motor, plate, record force data, and synchronize external particle image velocimetry measurements.
    • Developed numerical tools to analyze more than 4 TB of data.
      • Analyzed forces with Fourier and modal analysis, sparse approximation, and reduced order modeling techniques.
      • Analyzed flow velocity fields with vortex identification and tracking algorithms.
    • See my posts summarizing my thesis and describing my research process
  • Researcher at École Polytechnique: 08/2011 – 08/2012
    • Examined dynamics of tidal power generation.
    • Designed and implemented in MATLAB an unsteady vortex panel method with adaptive time-stepping, parallel execution, and several explicit and implicit numerical integration methods.
  • Intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory: 06/2007 – 08/2007
    • Performed thermal, structural, and performance analysis of diamond-epoxy grinding bits.
    • Created the safety plan for a material impact test, and aided in its execution.

Education

  • Ph.D. Aeronautics, California Institute of Technology. Pasadena, CA. 06/2017
  • M.S. Mécanique des Fluides, École Polytechnique. Palaiseau, France. 08/2012
    • First in class.
    • Thesis: Power Generation and Stability of a Flapping Airfoil.
  • M.S. Aeronautics, California Institute of Technology. Pasadena, CA. 06/2011
  • B.S. Aeronautics and Astronautics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cambridge, MA. 06/2009
    • Thesis: Modeling and experimental measurement of boundary layer cooling on a wing-mounted solar panel.

Research Gallery

  • Wake roll-up model
  • Vortex panel method for aircraft stability simulations
  • Reinforcement learning for loads alleviation
  • Attempt to emulate ibis flight patterns, using data from Voelkl et al (2015)
  • PIV around an airfoil
  • Caltech’s NOAH water tunnel
  • Response of wing to a vortical gust
  • Flow modification with a flap
  • Unsteady panel method
  • Solar cell research
Research Gallery

Publications

Conference Presentations

  • Reinforcement Learning for Turbulent Loads Alleviation with Individual Pitch Control. E. Hufstedler, P. Chatelain. Simulation et Optimisation pour les Énergies Marines Renouvelables (2019).
  • Learning to fly more efficiently in groups: Reinforcement Learning and String Stability. E. Hufstedler, J. Riehl, J.M. Hendrickx, P. Chatelain. Benelux Meeting on Systems and Control (2019).
  • Loads Alleviation on an Airfoil via Reinforcement Learning. E. Hufstedler, P. Chatelain. AIAA Scitech Forum (2019).
  • Investigation of an Aperiodic Vortical Gust Generator. E. Hufstedler, B.J. McKeon. 11th European Fluid Mechanics Conference (2016).
  • Characterization of vortical gusts produced by a heaving plate. E. Hufstedler, B.J. McKeon. 69th Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics (2016).
  • Isolated Gust Generation for the Investigation of Airfoil-Gust Interaction. E. Hufstedler, B.J. McKeon. 46th AIAA Fluid Dynamics Conference (2016).
  • Characterization of an Aperiodic Vortical Gust Generator. E. Hufstedler, B.J. McKeon. Southern California Flow Physics Symposium (2016).
  • Simultaneous PIV and Force Measurements on an Airfoil: Model Reduction and Force Estimation. E. Hufstedler, B.J. McKeon. 11th International Symposium on Particle Image Velocimetry (2015).
  • Characterization of a Vortical Gust Generator using PIV. E. Hufstedler, B.J. McKeon. 68th Meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics (2015).
  • Vortex Tracking with Simultaneous PIV and Force Measurements. E. Hufstedler, B.J. McKeon. Southern California Flow Physics Symposium (2015).
  • Investigation of Bio-Inspired High Lift Devices for Stall Mitigation. E. Hufstedler, B.J. McKeon. 67th meeting of the American Physical Society Division of Fluid Dynamics (2014).
  • Toward Applying High-Lift Effectors for Gust-Force Mollification. E. Hufstedler, B.J. McKeon. Southern California Flow Physics Symposium (2013).

Interests

  • Recreational programming:
  • Physical projects:
    • CNC Machining, primarily in wood.
    • Papercraft-inspired metalwork sculptures.
    • Persistence of vision spinning LED display.
    • Realization of half-toning programs in sheet metal.
    • Ultimate Frisbee: captain of the Caltech Aerospace department’s league-winning team.