David Braun
Assistant Professor
Telephone: +65 6499 4860
Automation and Control
Biography
Dr. Braun earned his Ph.D. (’06-’09) in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University USA. Prior to joining SUTD, he was affiliated with the Center for Intelligent Mechatronics (CIM) at Vanderbilt, conducted research at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and was a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Edinburgh. His research is interdisciplinary and centered upon fundamental investigations on dynamical systems and control including modeling, simulation, optimization and design of electro-mechanical systems.
Education
Qualifications
- PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, USA, 2006-2009.
- BSc and MSc in Mechanical Engineering, University of Novi Sad, Serbia, 2001, 2003.
Fellowship
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Institute of Perception Action and Behavior, University of Edinburgh, UK, 2010-2013.
Research
- Dynamical Systems
- Optimal Control
- Modeling and Simulation
- Robotics and Mechatronics
- Compliant Actuation
- Legged Locomotion
Award
The King-Sun Fu Award recognizes the best paper published annually in IEEE Transactions on Robotics based on technical merit, originality, potential impact on the field, clarity of presentation, and practical significance for applications.
Invited Talks
- 2012 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering
- 2010 Cornell University, Department of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics
Selected Grants
- Novel Approach to Robot Control, MOE AcRF Tier 2, PI, (2017-2020).
- Design and Development of an Active Knee Exoskeleton, MOE AcRF Tier 1 and Changi General Hospital, PI, (2015-2017).
- Energy Efficient Compliant Actuator Designs, SUTD-MIT International Design Center, PI (2014-2017).
Selected Publications
- D. J. Braun, Optimal parametric feedback excitation of nonlinear oscillators, Physical Review Letters, 2015.
- *D. J. Braun, F. Petit, F. Huber, S. Haddadin, P. van der Smagt, A. Albu-Schaffer and S. Vijayakumar, Robots Driven by Compliant Actuators: Optimal Control under Actuation Constraints, IEEE Transactions on Robotics, vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 1085-1101, Oct. 2013. pdf (http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/abstractMultimedia.jsp?arnumber=6570761), video
- D. J. Braun, M. Howard and S. Vijayakumar, Optimal Variable Stiffness Control: Formulation and Application to Explosive Movement Tasks, Autonomous Robots, vol. 33, no.3, pp. 237-253, 2012. pdf, video
- D. J. Braun and M. Goldfarb, Simulation of Constrained Mechanical Systems – Part I: An Equation of Motion, ASME Journal of Applied Mechanics, vol. 79, issue 4, 041017, 2012. pdf
- D. J. Braun and M. Goldfarb, Simulation of Constrained Mechanical Systems – Part II: Explicit Numerical Integration, ASME Journal of Applied Mechanics, vol. 79, issue 4, 041018, 2012. pdf
- D. J. Braun, M. Goldfarb, Actuated Dynamic Walking in a Seven-Link Biped Robot, IEEE/ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, vol. 17, no.1, pp. 147-156, 2012. pdf (http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/abstractMultimedia.jsp?arnumber=5676222), video
- D. J. Braun, M. Goldfarb, A Control Approach for Actuated Dynamics Walking in Biped Robots, IEEE Transactions on Robotics, vol. 25, no. 6, pp. 1292-1303, 2009. pdf, video (http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/abstractMultimedia.jsp?arnumber=5226567)
- D. J. Braun, M. Goldfarb, Elimination of Constrained Drift in the Numerical Simulation of Constrained Dynamical Systems, Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, vol. 198, no. 37-40, pp. 3151-3160, 2009. pdf
Candidates with research interest in Mechanical Engineering, Control Systems (non-linear and optimal control), Dynamics, Robotics and Mechatronics are encouraged to apply. We are seeking highly motivated candidates with a Master or Bachelor degree in Engineering, Physics or Applied Mathematics. We are interested in students with critical reasoning and strong background in fundamental disciplines.
Candidates with outstanding academic credentials (e.g., Bachelor's Degree 1st Class Honours or equivalent) will be funded by the SUTD President's Graduate Fellowship (http://www.sutd.edu.sg/phd_scholarships.aspx).
Please declare your interest by sending your CV directly to david_braun@sutd.edu.sg [Subject line: PhD 2016].
Your online application should be submitted here:Â https://admissions.sutd.edu.sg/phd
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral researcher in areas of mechanical engineering, robotics and mechatronics. Successful applicant will work closely with designers and engineers in both SUTD (Singapore) and MIT (Boston) to develop an innovative compliant actuator for biomedical applications.
Applications, assembled as a single PDF file, should contain a CV, and a short cover letter describing the background of the applicant, technical skill-set, research interests and goals, list of publications, as well as the names and contact information of up to three references. Applications sent to david_braun@sutd.edu.sg [Subject line: SUTD Postdoc 2016] will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
The SUTD-MIT Postdoctoral Program offers unique research opportunities to highly talented individuals to engage in new or on-going research programs at SUTD and MIT.
We are particularly interested in receiving applications from candidates who have strong backgrounds in fundamental disciplines and extensive research portfolio. Applicants with research interest in: applied dynamical systems, control theory, mechanical design, (bio)robotics and mechatronics are encouraged to apply.
As part of the application process, candidates are asked to submit a (5 page) research proposal that articulates their original idea to be implemented in collaboration with the SUTD and MIT advisors. Candidates are encouraged to communicate directly with the advisors regarding preparation of the research proposal; contact: david_braun@sutd.edu.sg [Subject line: SUTD-MIT Postdoc 2016].
A complete application package endorsed by the SUTD and MIT advisors can be submitted by 1 March 2016.
For a detailed description of this call please visit: http://www.sutd.edu.sg/mit_sutd_pdp_application.aspx.
Applications are invited for a postdoctoral researcher in areas of mechanical engineering, robotics and mechatronics. Applicants with expertise in exoskeleton design and human machine interfacing are encouraged to apply. The successful applicant will play a key role in developing a variable impedance exoskeleton device for gait rehabilitation and human strength augmentation.
Applications, assembled as a single PDF file, should contain a CV and a short cover letter describing the background of the applicant, technical skill-set, research interests and goals, list of publications, as well as the names and contact information of up to three references. Applications sent to david_braun@sutd.edu.sg [Subject line: SUTD Postdoc 2016] will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.