Alice E. Smith

Research

Research Focus:

Modeling, analysis and optimization of complex systems using computational intelligence (artificial neural networks, meta-heuristics and fuzzy systems) combined with techniques from probability and statistics and from operations research. Primary application areas include manufacturing process control, advanced materials microstructure, design of reliable wired and wireless telecommunications networks, facilities design and economic modeling.

Principal investigator on over $ 5 million in research contracts

Project Websites:

NSF ADVANCE PAID Project

NSF Research Experiences for Teachers

NSF ADVANCE Leadership Project on Archival Journal Publications

NSF Workshop on Women in Industrial Engineering Academia 2008

NSF CSEMS Automotive Scholarship, ISE - ME

Research Grants

  1. “Academy of Aerospace Quality – Phase IV,” Alice E. Smith and Jeff Smith, NASA, $100,000, 2011-2012.
  2. “Systems Engineering Using Secure Open Source Technology,” David Umphress, Drew Hamilton and Alice E. Smith, U.S. Department of Defense, $179,993, with subcontract to Tuskegee University, 2011-2012.
  3. “A Framework for Complexity Management in Virtual Forward Operating Base Camps,” Steven Corns, Mariesa Crow, Cihan Dagli, Curt Elmore, Scott Grasman, Suzanna Long (all Missouri University of Science and Technology) and Alice E. Smith, Army Research ERDC, U.S. Department of Defense, $398,932 (Auburn portion = $60,000), 2011-2012.
  4. “Workshop: Empowering Women in Industrial Engineering Academia – International Collaborations for Research and Education,” Alice E. Smith and Janet M. Twomey (Wichita State University), National Science Foundation, #OISE-1042980, $60,000, 2010-2012.
  5. “Academy of Aerospace Quality – Phase III,” Alice E. Smith and Jeff Smith, NASA, $200,000, 2010-2011.
  6. “Systems Engineering in a Secure Computing Intensive Environment,” David Umphress, Drew Hamilton and Alice E. Smith, U.S. Department of Defense, $200,000, 2010-2011.
  7. “Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC),” Alice E. Smith and Drew Hamilton, University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) consisting of 20 universities / research organizations, U.S. Department of Defense, 2009-onwards. http://www.sercuarc.org/
  8. “Iraqi Scholar Rescue Project,” Alice E. Smith, Institute of International Education, $31,700, 2010-2011.
  9. “Development of a Hot Mix Plan Production Process Control System,” with Michael Heitzman and Jeff Smith, Department of Transportation / Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), $372,438, 2009-2010.
  10. “US-Turkey Workshop: on Women in Industrial Engineering Academia - U.S. and Middle East,” National Science Foundation (NSF), #OISE-0728947, $60,000, 2007-2009.
  11. “ADVANCE Partnerships for Adaptation, Implementation and Dissemination: SEM Transformation through "Small Wins"”, with Donna Sollie, Marie Wooten, Overtoun Jenda and Daniel Svyantek, National Science Foundation (NSF), #SBE-0620000, $450,000, 2006-2010.
  12. “Academy of Aerospace Quality – Phase II,” with Jeff Smith, NASA, $230,890, 2006-2010.
  13. “Planning Visit: Workshop on Industrial Engineering Women in Academia,” National Science Foundation (NSF), #OISE-0549304, $14,705, 2006-2007.
  14. “Next Generation of Manufacturing Engineers for the Automotive Sector,” with John Evans and Peter Jones, National Science Foundation (NSF), #DUE-0422361, $400,000, 2004-2008.
  15. “Enhancing the Fracture Strength of Advanced Ceramics by Process Control at the Microstructural Scale,” with Ian Nettleship (University of Pittsburgh), National Science Foundation (NSF), #DMI-0301273, $100,000 with RET Supplement $6,000, 2003-2005.
  16. “Academy of Aerospace Quality,” with Jeff Smith, NASA, $405,000, 2003-2006.
  17. “Industry / University Cooperative Research Center for Advanced Vehicle Electronics (CAVE), Research Experiences for Teachers,” with Jeff Suhling, National Science Foundation (NSF), Supplements to #EEC-9907749, $165,400, 2003-2009.
  18. “ADVANCE Leadership: Improving Success of Women Engineering Academics in Archival Publications,” National Science Foundation (NSF), #SBE-0123493, $150,000 with REU Supplement $15,000 and RET Supplement $10,000, 2001-2005.
  19. “Relating Field Data to Accelerated Life Testing,” with S. Wayne Johnson, National Science Foundation (NSF), #EEC-0002669, $50,000 with REU Supplement of $6,000, RET Supplement of $46,225 with another $70,000 from the member companies of the NSF Center for Advanced Vehicle Electronics, 2000-02. This was a joint project with the NSF Center for Quality and Reliability Engineering of Rutgers University. The PIs there, Elsayed S. Elsayed and David W. Coit (both, Rutgers University), also received a similar amount for the same project.
  20. “Comprehensive Redesign of Industrial Facilities,” with Bryan A. Norman (University of Pittsburgh), National Science Foundation (NSF), #DMI-9908322, $317,562 with REU Supplement $22,000, 1999-2003.
  21. “GOALI: Improving Manufacturability of P/M Superalloys by Microstructural Control,” with Ian Nettleship (University of Pittsburgh), National Science Foundation (NSF) with the participation of Crucible Compaction Metals, #DMI-9800430, $311,526 with REU Supplement $32,000 and International Supplement $20,000, 1998-2001.
  22. “Collaborative Research: Design of Communications Networks Using Computational Intelligence and Women in Engineering in the U.S. and Turkey,” with Berna Dengiz (Gazi University, Turkey), National Science Foundation (NSF), #INT-9731207, $34,965, with additional support from TUBITAK(Turkish equivalent of NSF), 1998-2004.
  23. “Joint Research on Intelligent Manufacturing Techniques,” with Mitsuo Gen (Ashikaga Institute of Technology, Japan), Bryan A. Norman (University of Pittsburgh) and Gursel A. Suer (University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez), Monbusho (Japanese Ministry of Education, Science and Culture) International Scientific Research Program, 6,900,000 yen, with supplemental funds from the University Center for International Studies, University of Pittsburgh, $760, and the Japanese Science & Technology Management Program, University of Pittsburgh, $6500. 1998-2000.
  24. “Process Improvement for Low Oxygen Metal Powders,” with Ian Nettleship (University of Pittsburgh), Ben Franklin Technology Center of Western Pennsylvania with Crucible Compaction Metals Corporation, $172,035, 1997-99.
  25. “Motor Vehicle Abrasive Flow Machining,” with William S. Slaughter (University of Pittsburgh), National Institute of Standards (NIST) with Extrude Hone Corporation, Ford Motor Company and others, $125,000 (part of larger Advanced Technology Program), 1996-99.
  26. “Predicting Failures of Mechanical/Electrical Systems,” Adtranz (now Bombardier Transportation), $83,376, 1996-2000.
  27. “Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) : Resampling Approaches to Neural Model Validation,” National Science Foundation (NSF), #DMI-9502134, $309,574 with REU Supplements $40,000, 1995-2000.
  28. “Predictive Quality Control for Ceramic Casting,” Ben Franklin Technology Center of Western Pennsylvania with Eljer Plumbingware Corporation, $141,782, 1993-96.
  29. “Intelligent Control for Wave Soldering,” with Amro El-Jaroudi (University of Pittsburgh) and William Clark (University of Pittsburgh), Lockheed Martin Corporation, $100,000, 1993-94.
  30. “Process Planning Using an Integrated Neural Network and Expert System Approach,” National Science Foundation (NSF), #DDM-9209424, $21,235, 1992-94.
  31. “An Empirical and Theoretical Analysis of Backpropagation Error Surface Initiation and Descent,” Central Research Development Fund Award, University of Pittsburgh, $12,996, 1992-94.



Equipment Grants

  1. “In-Process, Non-Destructive Analytical Equipment for Electronics Manufacturing Research,” with Wayne Johnson, Jeffrey Suhling, Roy Knight, George Flowers, Hareesh Tipur, Michael Bozak, Bryan Chin and William Gale, Auburn University Internal Infrastructure Grant, $100,000, 2000-01.
  2. “Software for Simulation Research,” Systems Modeling Corporation, $1,550, 1996.
  3. “Interdisciplinary Fuzzy Logic Infrastructure for Education and Research,” with Robert Boston (University of Pittsburgh) and George Klinzing (University of Pittsburgh), Faculty/Departmental Computing Infrastructure Grant, University of Pittsburgh, $4,000, 1994.
  4. “Artificial Intelligence Hardware,” Individual Faculty Initiative, Computing Proficiency Enhancement Program, University of Pittsburgh, $4,993, 1992.