A number of shortcomings in current active control systems preclude their widespread use: 1) need for higher actuator authority, 2) need for robust compact actuators with ease of implementation, and 3) need for improved power handling and driving electronics. The innovation proposed is a new approach to active material and electronic systems for the control of vibrations in aeroelastic structures. Specifically, the use - of a new form of Active Fiber Composites and advanced electronics to: increase damping performance, improve actuator robustness, and reduce associated electronics weight and complexity over previous approaches. The proposed program will focus on two major areas: 1) the development of a model for a systems level feasibility study, and 2) the development of higher robustness Active Fiber Composite actuators. The first task will develop a dynamic system model that incorporates structural modal information, unsteady aerodynamics, actuators, and electronics. Feasibility will be determined by the improvements in performance versus weight and cost penalties, in comparison to previous approaches. The second task will investigate the potential for improving robustness through the addition of integral reinforcements to AFCs. In Phase I, feasibility will be studied by evaluating the performance of the proposed material in the Buffet Load Alleviation problem.
