CLIFFORD S. BONAVENTURA, Ph.D.

Manager Analytic Engineering

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PROFESSIONAL HISTORY:

1999 - ZETA-TECH Associates, Inc., Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Present Manager Analytic Engineering

Developed a real-time dynamic simulation for a rail vehicle’s response to track geometry. Included tests for unsafe vehicle operating conditions and used them to report safety warnings and violations and to determine critical speed boundaries for vehicle operation.

Product management and development of TieInspect^TM, a system used to gather detailed tie condition data on a tie-by-tie basis. Enhanced the TieInspect system to include implementation of tie replacement logic and the ability to identify – in track – the ties to be replaced according to the replacement logic criteria.

Desiged a modified geometry for a railroad turnout (switch) that reduces peak lateral forces allowing a higher operating speed. New geometry designed to be incorporated as a low-cost retrofit of existing turnouts.

Jun–Nov 1996 Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Jun–Aug 1995 Summer Student Intern

Developed a modular approach to the dynamic simulation of complex robot systems. Systems considered included multiple robots with multiple constraints and external contacts. Developed a “SMART” module for the real-time dynamic simulation and control of a flexible, long-reach robot arm.

Sep 1992 - NASA/Lockheed Engineering and Sciences Co., Houston, Texas

Mar 1994 Student Researcher

Contracted to enhance the existing computer simulation of the Space Shuttle Remote Manipulator System. Enhancement allowed for efficient and accurate simulation of the shuttle robot arm performing constrained motion tasks.

EDUCATION:

Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

1994 – 2002 Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Thesis: “A Modular Approach to the Dynamics of Complex Robot Systems”

1992 - 1994 Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Master’s Paper: “Development of a Constrained Motion Algorithm for the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS)”

1988 - 1991 Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

HONORS AND AWARDS:

National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Trainee in Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing (1995 – 1999)

1^st Place – Leonhard Center Robotics Design Challenge

PUBLISHED PAPERS:

Bonaventura, C. S. and K. W. Jablokow, “A Modular Approach to the Dynamics of Complex Multi-Robot Systems,” IEEE Journal of Robotics and Automation. (to appear 2004).

Bonaventura, C. S. and K. W. Jablokow, “A Modular Dynamic Simulation Algorithm for Complex Robot Systems” Proceedings of the 2004 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, New Orleans, LA, April 26-May 1, 2004.

Bonaventura, C. S., A. M. Zarembski, J. W. Palese, and D. R. Holfeld, “Increasing Speeds Through the Diverging Route of a Turnout Without Increasing Lead Length,” 83^rd TRB Annual Meeting. Washington, D.C., January 11-15, 2004.

Bonaventura, C. S., J. W. Palese, and A. M. Zarembski, “Performance of a Track Geometry Car-Based Real-time Dynamics Simulator using Multiple Vehicle Types,” Proceedings of IMECE 2003: 2003 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition.Washington, D.C., November 16-21, 2003.

Jablokow, K. W. and Bonaventura, C. S., “Alternate Forms of the Operational Space Inertia Matrix for the Dynamic Simulation of Comples Robot Systems” Proceedings of the 2003 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Washington, D. C., October 5-8, 2003.

Bonaventura, C. S., J. W. Palese, and A. M. Zarembski, “Field Evaluation and Deployment of a Track Geometry Car Based Real-time Dynamics Simulator,” American Railway Engineering Maintenance Association Annual Technical Conference. Chicago, IL, October 5-8, 2003.

Zarembski, A. M., L.A. Parker, J. W. Palese, and C. S. Bonaventura, “Computerized Tie Condition Inspection and Use in Tie Maintenance Planning,” IHHA Proceeding of the Implementation of Heavy Haul Technology for Network Efficiency, pp. 6.19-6.25 Dallas, TX, May 5-9 2003.

Bonaventura, C. S., J. W. Palese, and A. M. Zarembski, “Real-time prediction of Railway Vehicle Response to the Interaction with Track Geometry,” IHHA Proceeding of the Implementation of Heavy Haul Technology for Network Efficiency, pp. 5.1-5.9, Dallas, TX, May 5-9 2003.

Bonaventura, C. S. and K. W. Jablokow, “An O(N) Modular Algorithm for the Dynamic Simulation of Robots Constrained by a Single Contact,” IEEE Journal of Systems, Man, and Cybernetics – Part C: Applications and Reviews. vol. 32, no. 4, pp. 406 – 415, November 2002.

Bonaventura, C. S., J. W. Palese, and A. M. Zarembski, “Intelligent System for Real-time Prediction of Railway Vehicle Response to the Interaction with Track Geometry”, Proceedings of the 2000 ASME/IEEE Joint Railroad Conference, pp. 31-45, April 2000.

Bonaventura, C. S. and K. W. Lilly, “A Constrained Motion Algorithm for the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System”, IEEE Control Systems, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 6–16, October 1995.

Lilly, K. W. and C. S. Bonaventura, “A Generalized Formulation for Simulation of Space Robot Constrained Motion,” Proceedings of the 1995 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, pp. 2835 – 2840, 1995.

Bonaventura, C. S. and K. W. Lilly, “Development of a Constrained Motion Algorithm for the Shuttle Remote Manipulator System (SRMS),” Proceedings of the 1994 IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, pp. 2254-2259, 1994.