Benjamin Cazzolato

Professor Benjamin Cazzolato

Professor

School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Lecturer, researcher and consultant in system dynamics and control, including vibro-acoustics, finite element analysis & modal analysis.

My research involves the study of dynamic mechanical systems, especially those systems involving energy transfer via wave propagation.  This involves length scales from the atomistic to large ocean waves.  A select number of research topics are listed below.  Please see the Acoustics, Vibration and Control Group website for a complete list of published works, active projects and research areas. The Robotics Group website also details projects in the fields of robotics and control. 

Sound and Vibration

I have worked in the field of sound and vibration for two and a half decades, both as a consulting engineer and as a researcher, and covers both active and passive forms of noise control, aeroacoustics, vibroacoustics, thermoacoustics and vibration isolation.

Ocean Energy

I am currently research several mechanisms for generating useful forms of energy from oceans. These can be broadly classified as either wave energy converters or oscillating cylinders in low speed flows. The wave energy converters of interest are oscillating water columns and point (buoy) absorbers. For more information see the Wave Energy Research Group website.

Dynamics and Control

I am fascinated by the control of dynamic systems. Current research includes the control of energy converters, dynamically unstable mobile platforms, and parallel and serial manipulators. For more information see the AVC Group website or the Robotics Group website.

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2015 - ongoing Professor University of Adelaide
    2007 - 2014 Associate Professor University of Adelaide
    2003 - 2006 Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2001 - 2002 Lecturer University of Adelaide
    2000 - 2000 Post-doctoral researcher University of Adelaide
    1999 - 2000 Anglo-Australian Post-Doctoral Fellow University of Southampton
    1991 - 1994 Consulting Engineer VIPAC Engineers and Scientists
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2018 Award Australian Acoustical Society President's Prize Australian Acoustical Society Australia -
    2017 Award On Prime CSIRO Australia -
    2016 Award Commercial Accelerator Scheme Encouragement Award The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2016 Award National Instruments Impact Award Finalist and Runner-up National Instruments United States -
    2013 Research Award Paper Award at ACRA 2013 ACRA Australia -
    2013 Research Award Australian Acoustical Society President's Prize Australian Acoustical Society Australia -
    2013 Teaching Award Australasian Association for Engineering Education for Award for Engineering Education Engagement, Australasian Association for Engineering Education - -
    2012 Award Malcolm Kinnard Excellence Award Engineers Australia. Australia -
    2012 Award The Innovation/Research and Development Engineering Excellence Award Engineers Australia SA Division Australia -
    2012 Nomination Australian Engineering Excellence Award finalist Engineers Australia Australia -
    2011 Research Award Australian Acoustical Society President’s Prize Australian Acoustical Society Australia -
    2008 Research Award Runner up best prize in vibro-acoustics at Acoustics 08, the joint Acoustical Society of America and European Acoustical Society conference. - - -
    2006 Teaching Award The Stephen Cole the Elder Prize for Excellence in Teaching The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2006 Teaching Award Carrick Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning Office of Learning and Teaching - -
    2005 Teaching Award ECMS Faculty Prize for Excellence in Teaching University of Adelaide Australia -
    2000 Research Award Australian Acoustical Society President’s Prize Australian Acoustical Society Australia -
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    1999 The University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    1991 The University of Adelaide Australia BE (Hons)
  • Research Interests

Competitive Research Grants over past 20 years
Grant Title Scheme and Year Amount Awarded
Development of Next Generation Rear Vision Mirror CRC-IMST SP1.6, 2003-2005 $300,000
Virtual acoustic sensors for active noise control systems ARC Discovery, 2004-2006 $296,000
Smart structures and virtual microphones ARC Linkage International, 2005 $41,000
Application of Passive Control Devices to a Launch Vehicle  US Air Force, 2000-2005 $340,000
Scanning 3D laser vibrometer for non-contact in-plane and out-of-plane vibration measurement ARC LIEF, 2005 $542,000
A control moment gyroscope Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund, 2010 $30,000
Establishment of a Large Scale Wind Tunnel Facility at the University of Adelaide Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund, SA Premier's Science and Research Fund and the University of Adelaide, 2010 $1,687,000
Scramjet-based access-to-space systems  ASRP Stream B, Round 1, 2010 $5,000,000
Multi-autonomous ground-vehicle international challenge U of A DVCR/A, ECMS, Mechanical Engineering, 2010 $100,000
Prosthetic attachment for transfemoral amputees MDRG, 2011 $20,000
Upgrade of 3D scanning laser Doppler vibrometer  DVCR Strategic Equipment Round, University of Adelaide, 2012 $85,000
Mechanisms of sound absorption at the nanoscale ARC DP, 2013 $300,000
Oscillating water column efficiency improvement through impedance matching and active latching control techniques ARC Linkage, 2013 $325,000
Biologically inspired active vision systems Interdisciplinary Research Fund, 2013 $29,000
Establishment of a Flight Simulator Laboratory Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith Fund, 2014 $58,000
Building an aero-elastic and aerodynamic testing facility using intelligent haptic control ECMS Research Support Scheme 2014 $32,000
A portable acoustic array ECMS Research Support Scheme, 2014 $40,000
Large scale 6 degree-of-freedom test facility ARC LIEF, 2015 $630,000
Modelling and optimisation of submerged buoys for improved ocean wave energy production DVCR Interdisciplinary Research Fund, 2015 $27,000
Single-Grain Sorter and Loader for Optical Dating IPAS Pilot Projects, 2015 $16,000
Establishment of force vibration testing capability for infrastructure health monitoring research  DVCR Research Equipment and Infrastructure Round, 2015 $12,000
New experimental facility for temperature, defect and stress imaging DVCR Research Equipment and Infrastructure Round, 2015 $49,000
Stress evaluation with non-linear guided waves ARC Discovery Project, 2016 $334,000
Laser radar study of sound refraction through hot jets ECMS Interdisciplinary Research Grant Scheme, 2016 $20,000
Low noise small scale wind based power generation using non-linear vortices interaction ECMS Interdisciplinary Research Grant Scheme, 2016 $12,000
Nonlinear modelling of fully submerged wave energy converters for high fidelity yet computationally efficient numerical analysis and prototype design ECMS Interdisciplinary Research Grant Scheme, 2016 $18,000
High frequency upgrade for the University’s 3D Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer ECMS Infrastriucture Grant Scheme, 2016 $67,000
High-resolution pipeline condition assessment using hydraulic transients ARC Discovery Project, 2017 $499,000
A standardised power conversion module for ocean energy applications CRC-P, round 3, 2017 $2,100,000
Large-volume, multi-use micro-CT ARC LIEF, 2018 $557,000
National Laser-based non-destructive evaluation system ARC LIEF, 2018 $680,000
Advanced composite materials containing graphene micro-inclusions for underwater acoustic applications University of Adelaide - Interdisciplinary Research Funding Scheme, 2018 $85,000
The control of the turbulent boundary layer on a flat plate using micro-cavities Sir Ross & Sir Keith Smith Fund - Grants, 2018 $320,000
Detecting developing cracks before pipe bursts using smart sensor systems ARC Linkage Project, 2018 $395,000
Australia-China JRC of offshore Wind and Wave Energy Harnessing DIIS - Australia China Science and Research Fund, 2020 $940,000
Environmental noise prediction from open cycle gas turbine power stations Australian Acoustical Society Research Grant, 2019 $36,000
Micro-perforation for passive drag reduction ARC Discovery Project, 2020 $540,000
Controlling coastlines while generating power ARC Linkage Project, 2019 $427,000
Smart Pipe Condition Assessment in Water Distribution Systems ARC Discovery Project, 2021 $536,000
The AIRSPACE Trial: AntI-MRSA PhAge Cocktail treatment via Acoustic Enhanced Nebulisers MRFF, 2022 $1,712,000
Total competitive funding    $19,237,000

 

 

 

 

Subjects Taught

I am currently responsible for teaching two control automatic control subjects; Dynamics and Control II and Advanced PID Control. Dynamics and Control II is focussed on understanding and controlling dynamic systems from a state space perspective. Advanced PID control, as the name suggests, is focussed on developing PID control skills within a theoretical and practical framework.

One key interest for teaching is the development of physical platforms to demonstrate control theory. These include the Quanser Aerospace Systems, the Ball and Beam System, the Quanser Tightrope Walker, the Inverted Pendulum, and many others.

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Co-Supervisor Utilising Distributed Acoustic Sensing and Dark Fibres for Smart Water Asset Monitoring Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Xiang Wang
    2023 Principal Supervisor Improved Test Methodology and Acceptance Criteria for Stab Resistant Body Armour Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Scott Edward Jenkin
    2023 Co-Supervisor Leak Characterization and Detection in Water Distribution Systems Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Chengcheng Yin
    2022 Co-Supervisor Mathematical Theory of Controlling Coastlines While Generating Power Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Amy-Rose Westcott
    2021 Co-Supervisor Robust Power-Maximising Control of Wave Energy Converters Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yifeng Gu
    2020 Co-Supervisor Permeable Surfaces for Drag Reduction Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Van Thuan Hoang
    2019 Co-Supervisor The neurophysiology of dragonfly optic flow encoding with applications to neurobotic engineering Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Edward Luong
    2019 Co-Supervisor Drag Reduction of a Flat Plate Using Micro-Cavities Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Gianni Federico Severino
    2017 Co-Supervisor Investigating Factors Affecting the Performance of a Six - DOF Maglev Vibration Isolator Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Nur Afifah Kamaruzaman
    2014 Co-Supervisor Modelling and Experimentaion of the Acoustic Absorption Properties of Carbon Nanotubes, in the Audible Frequency Range Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Hywel Anthony Bennett
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2019 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Stochastic Analysis of Marine Renewable Energy Devices: Wave, Wind, and Hybrid Systems Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Leandro da Silva
    2018 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Interactions Between Polyhedral Permanent Magnets Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr James Lawrence Grady O'Connell
    2018 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Understanding the Flow Behaviour in Human Maxillary Sinuses for Drug Delivery Applications Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Oveis Pourmehran
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor The impact of hydrodynamic coupling on the performance of multi-mode wave energy converters Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Ngan Bich Dinh Tran
    2018 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Hemodynamics of aortic valve stenoses Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Araz Rezaei Kivi
    2017 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Paired Impulse Response Function and Layer-Peeling Method for Anomaly Detection and Condition Assessment of Pipelines Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Wei Zeng
    2017 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Effects of Turbulence on Heliostat Wind Loads Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Azadeh Jafari
    2017 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Performance Enhancement of Submerged Ocean Wave Energy Converter using Nonlinear Stiffness Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Benjamin Wilhelm Schubert
    2016 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Task Allocation and Collaborative Localisation in Multi-Robot Systems Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Nicholas David Sullivan
    2016 - 2023 Co-Supervisor A Computational Investigation of Target Detection and Tracking by Insect Small Target Motion Detector Neurons Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time John Vincent James
    2015 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Guidance for Time Efficient Path Following of Under-actuated Differential Thrust AUVs Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Miss Xue Jin
    2015 - 2018 Co-Supervisor The attenuation of sweep events within the turbulent boundary layer over a flat plate using a micro-cavity array Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Anton Silvestri
    2015 - 2020 Principal Supervisor An Investigation into the Mechanics of Sound Propagation through Turbulent Non-Isothermal Exhaust Jets in Cross-Flow Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Orddom Leav
    2014 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Harnessing Hydro-kinetic Energy from Wake-Induced Vibration (WIV) of Bluff bodies Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Eshodarar Manickam Sureshkumar
    2014 - 2016 Principal Supervisor The Aeroacoustics of Finite Wall-Mounted Cylinders Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ric Zong Yang Porteous
    2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Three-Tether Wave Energy Converter: Hydrodynamic Modelling, Performance Assessment and Control Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Nataliia Sergiienko
    2014 - 2020 Principal Supervisor A study on a single-tether spherical point absorber with an asymmetric mass distribution Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Fantai Meng
    2013 - 2018 Co-Supervisor The effect of unsteady flow on wind turbine wake development and noise generation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Nima Sedaghatizadeh
    2013 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Self-noise of Airfoils Under Stalled Conditions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Alex James Laratro
    2013 - 2017 Principal Supervisor An Insect-Inspired Target Tracking Mechanism for Autonomous Vehicles Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Zahra Bagheri
    2012 - 2016 Co-Supervisor A Method for Compensation of Changing Environmental and Operational Conditions for Structural Health Monitoring Using Guided Waves Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Pouria Aryan
    2012 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Gradient-Ascent Latching Controllers for Ocean Wave Energy Converters Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Peter Joseph Hardy
    2011 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Application of Micro Perforated and Impervious Membranes for Noise Barriers Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Chenxi Li
    2011 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Application of a Helmholtz resonator excited by grazing flow for manipulation of a turbulent boundary layer Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Farzin Ghanadi
    2011 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Experimental and Numerical Investigation of a Carbon Nanotube Acoustic Absorber Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Md Ayub
    2011 - 2015 Co-Supervisor Harnessing hydrokenetic energy from Vortex-Induced Vibration (VIV) Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Javad Farrokhi Derakhshandeh
    2010 - 2014 Principal Supervisor Six Degree of Freedom Active Vibration Isolation Using Quasi-Zero Stiffness Magnetic Levitation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Tao Zhu
    2009 - 2014 Principal Supervisor A Study of a Stewart Platform-based Manipulator for Applications in Biomechanical Testing Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time APrf Boyin Ding
    2009 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Hybrid Digital Control of Piezoelectric Actuators Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Mohsen Bazghaleh
    2008 - 2013 Principal Supervisor Trajectory Design for a Very-Low-Thrust Lunar Mission Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Rogan Webbe Shimmin
    2008 - 2012 Co-Supervisor Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometry for Strain Measurement and Damage Detection Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Stuart Wildy
    2006 - 2010 Principal Supervisor Robust Scheduling Control of Aeroelasticity Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Zebb Prime
    2006 - 2010 Principal Supervisor Spatially Fixed and Moving Virtual Sensing Methods for Active Noise Control Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Danielle Moreau
    2004 - 2007 Co-Supervisor Optimal Spatially Fixed and Moving Virtual Sensing Algorithms for Local Active Noise Control Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Dick Petersen
    2004 - 2007 Principal Supervisor Lyapunov-based Control Strategies for the Global Control of Symmetric VTOL UAVs' Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Rohin Wood
    2004 - 2008 Co-Supervisor Numerical Investigations of the Performance and Effectiveness of Thermoacoustic Couples Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Luke Zoontjens
    2003 - 2012 Principal Supervisor The Application of Tikhonov Regularised Inverse Filtering to Digital Communication through Multi-Channel Acoustic Systems Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Pierre Dumuid
    2003 - 2013 Principal Supervisor Modelling and design of magnetic levitation systems for vibration isolation Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Will Robertson
    2002 - 2004 Co-Supervisor NUMERICAL MODELLING OF PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Alexander Dunstone
    2002 - 2007 Principal Supervisor Numerical Optimisation of Biomedical Implant Characteristics for Increased Service Life Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr David Thompson
    2001 - 2004 Principal Supervisor TOWARDS PRACTICAL SENSING STRATEGIES FOR LARGE ACTIVE NOISE CONTROL SYSTEMS Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Simon Hill
    1999 - 2004 Co-Supervisor Virtual sensors for active noise control Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Jacqueline Munn
  • Position: Professor
  • Phone: 83135449
  • Email: benjamin.cazzolato@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83134367
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Engineering South, floor 2
  • Org Unit: Mechanical Engineering

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