Andres Tovar

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Location: Indianapolis (by courtesy in West Lafayette)

SL 260 N
723 W. Michigan St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
tovara@purdue.edu
Phone: (765) 495-7765

Websites

Degrees

  • Ph.D. Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, Jan 2005
  • M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, May 2004
  • M.S. Industrial Automation, National University of Colombia, Bogota, Colombia, Sep 2000
  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering, National University of Colombia, Bogota, Colombia, Jul 1995

Research Interests

  • Topology Optimization
  • Bayesian Optimization
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Compostable Plastics
  • Crashworthiness and Blast Mitigation

Biography

  • Associate Professor of Mechanical and Motorsports Engineering, Purdue University, Jul 2024 – Present

  • Associate Professor, Mechanical and Energy Engineering, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Aug 2017 – Jun 2024

  • Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Aug 2011 – Aug 2017

  • Research Assistant Professor, University of Notre Dame, Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Aug 2008 – Aug 2011

  • Academic Director, National University of Colombia, Bogota Campus, Feb 2007 – Aug 2008

  • Department Chair, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National University of Colombia, Apr 2005 – Jan 2007

  • Associate Professor, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, National University of Colombia, Jun 2005 – Aug 2008

    • Awards and Recognitions

    • SADCO Our Talent Award 2020
    • Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award 2019
    • SHPE STAR Award, Educator of the Year 2018
    • Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award 2016
    • IUPUI Wisner-Stoelk Outstanding Faculty Award 2015
    • Grand Prize Winner, DOE/ARPA-E-Local Motors LITECAR Challenge 2015
    • SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award 2014
    • Best Faculty Advisor, IUPUI Purdue School of Engineering and Technology 2014
    • IUPUI Athletics Favorite Professor 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, 2022

    Selected Publications

  • Bandi, P., D. Detwiler, J. Schmiedeler, and A. Tovar. Design of Progressively Folding Thin-Walled Tubular Components Using Compliant Mechanism Synthesis. Thin-Walled Structures, Vol. 37, Issue 2, Pages: 723-735, 2015, doi:10.1007/s40430-014-0197-0, 8/2015

  • Liu, K., A. Tovar, E. Nutwell, and D. Detwiler. Thin-walled compliant mechanism component design assisted by machine learning and multiple surrogates. SAE Technical Paper 2015-01-1369, 2015, doi:10.4271/2015-01-1369, 5/2015

  • León, D., N. Arzola, and A. Tovar. Statistical analysis of the influence of tooth geometry in the performance of harmonic drive. Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering. Vol. 37, Pages: 723-735, 2015, doi:10.1007/s40430-014-0197-0, 2/2015

  • Liu, K. and A. Tovar. An efficient 3D topology optimization code written in Matlab. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization, Vol. 50, Issue 6, Pages: 117-1196, 2014, doi:10.1007/s00158-014-1107-x, 10/2014

  • Lee, S. and A. Tovar. Outrigger placement in tall buildings using topology optimization. Engineering Structures. Vol. 74, Issue 1, Pages: 122-129, 2014, doi:10.1016/j.engstruct.2014.05.019, 5/2014

  • Shinde, S., P. Bandi, D. Detwiler, and A. Tovar. Structural Optimization of Thin-Walled Tubular Structures for Progressive Buckling Using Compliant Mechanism Approach. SAE International Journal of Passenger Cars – Mechanical Systems, Vol. 6, Issue 1, doi: 10.4271/2013-01-0658, 2013, 4/2013

  • Tovar, A. and K. Khandelwal. Topology Optimization for Minimum Compliance using a Control Strategy. Engineering Structures, Vol. 48, Pages: 674-682, 2013, 3/2013

  • Lee, S., and A. Tovar. Topology Optimization of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting Skin using Hybrid Cellular Automata. ASME Journal of Mechanical Design, Vol. 135, Issue 3, Pages: 031001.1-031001.12, 2013, 2/2013

  • Yokota, H., A. Tovar, and A. Robling. Dynamic Muscle Loading and Mechanotransduction. BONE, Vol. 51, Issue 4, Pages 826-827, 2012, 11/2012

  • Goetz, J.C., H. Tan, A. Tovar, and J.E. Renaud. Two-material structural topology optimization for blast mitigation using hybrid cellular automata. Engineering Optimization. Vol. 44, Issue 8, Pages 985-1005, 2012, 9/2012

  • Mozumder, C., A. Tovar, and J.E. Renaud. Topometry optimization for crashworthiness design using hybrid cellular automata. International Journal of Vehicle Design, Vol. 60, Issue 1/2, Pages: 100-120, 2012, 7/2012

  • Penninger, C.L. A. Tovar, V. Tomar, and J.E. Renaud. A high fidelity HCA model for bone adaptation with cellular rules for bone resorption. Journal of Surfaces and Interfaces of Materials, Vol. 1, Pages: 66-76, 2012, 5/2012

  • Guo, L., J. Huang, A. Tovar, and J.E. Renaud. Multidomain Topology Optimization for Crashworthiness based on Hybrid Cellular Automata. Key Engineering Materials. Vol. 486, Pages 250-253, 2011, 10/2011

  • Penninger, C.L., A. Tovar, L.T. Watson, and J.E. Renaud. KKT conditions satisfied using adaptive neighboring in hybrid cellular automata for topology optimization. International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics. Vol. 66, Issue 3, Pages 245-262, 2011, 8/2011

  • Guo, L., A. Tovar, C.L. Penninger and J.E. Renaud. Strain-based topology optimization for crashworthiness using hybrid cellular automata. International Journal of Crashworthiness. Vol. 16, Issue 3, Pages 239-252, 2011, 7/2011

  • Goetz, J.C., H. Tan, A. Tovar, J.E. Renaud. Optimization of One-Dimensional Aluminum Foam Armor Model for Pressure Loading, SAE International Journal of Materials and Manufacturing, Vol. 4, Issue 1, Pages 1138-1146, 2011., 4/2011

  • Penninger, C.L., L.T. Watson, A. Tovar, and J.E. Renaud. Convergence Analysis of Hybrid Cellular Automata for Topology Optimization. Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. Vol. 40, Issue 1-6, Pages 271-282, 2010., 9/2010