U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work visits U of I campus

The University of Illinois recently welcomed a noteworthy alumnus of the College of LAS. U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Bob Work returned to campus for a tour of several state-of-the-art research facilities. 

Work (BS, ’74, biology) visited as an official representative of the Department of Defense (DoD), for which he has served as deputy secretary since 2014 when appointed by the Obama administration. Work visited the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology to learn about research advances in materials and observed Illinois robotics research at the Intelligent Robotics Lab in the Coordinated Science Lab. 

Accompanied by Jeffrey Moore, director of the Beckman Institute and the Murchison-Mallory Professor of Chemistry at Illinois, Work toured the Autonomous Materials Systems (AMS) lab, where researchers from chemistry, aerospace engineering, and materials science and engineering create synthetic materials that can react to their environment, recover from damage, and even self-destruct once their usefulness has come to an end.

The research is funded by a wide range of sources, including Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Air Force, and other DoD research offices. Work observed demos on metastable packaging for transient electronic devices and novel energy storage materials including lithium batteries with fire-retardant capabilities, mechanically-activated chemistry, and discussed the latest advances on self-healing polymers and their potential uses. 

“The AMS group has appreciated the strong support of the DoD throughout the years and have made major research strides because of it,” Moore said.

Researchers from Naira Hovakimyan’s research group demonstrated miniature unmanned aerial vehicle flight inside the lab’s indoor VICON environment. Hovakimyan’s group explores the challenges of operating drones in close proximity to people. Potential applications include elderly care, package delivery, emergency response, and many others. Hovakimyan, the W. Grafton and Lillian B. Wilkins Professor of Mechanical Science and Engineering, also discussed her L1 adaptive controller, which was tested on Learjet and F16 at Edwards Air Force Base over the last two years.

Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Seth Hutchinson and postdoctoral researcher Alireza Ramezani showcased their research on robotic bats, which mimic the key flight mechanisms of biological bats. The lightweight bats are able to change their articulated structure in mid-air without losing an effective and smooth aerodynamic surface. In addition, they are more energy efficient and can maneuver in tight spaces where humans can’t go.

After earning his degree from Illinois, Work also earned a Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California; a Master of Science in Space System Operations from the Naval Postgraduate School; and a Master in International Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Work is a distinguished graduate of the Naval Reserve Officers Training Course at the University of Illinois, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps in August 1974. During his 27- year military career, he held a wide range of command, leadership, and management positions. He commanded an artillery battery and a battalion, and was the base commander at Camp Fuji, Japan. His last assignment was as military assistant and senior aide to the Honorable Richard Danzig, 71st secretary of the U.S. Navy.

His military and civilian awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award.