Nutaksas Research
About
Nutaksas Research (est 2008) is a a specialized engineering consultancy, to allow for contract research by the Principal, Travis Wiens, Ph.D., P.Eng. and staff.
Nutaksas Research is physically located in Saskatoon, Canada but has the ability to perform work for worldwide clients.
Expertise
Travis Wiens, Ph.D., P.Eng. is a mechanical engineering researcher with a focus on fluid power (hydraulics) system design and analysis, wave propagation, machine learning and AI, and mine safety. He completed his M.Sc. with a project on the design of novel hydraulic valve, concentrating on the optimization of its dynamics and energy efficiency. His Ph.D. used artificial neural networks for the self-learning control of gaseous fuelled vehicles (e.g. hydrogen and natural gas). After completing this Ph.D. he spent time studying acoustic wave propagation, modelling how sound travels through forests, using sound to located and track endangered birds and insects, and using acoustics to measure temperature and velocity fields.
Dr. Wiens then worked as a consultant to the mobile equipment industry. He primarily worked on the analysis and design of hydraulic systems for construction and mining equipment, studying the dynamics and energy usage of the machine and optimizing the interaction between the machine and human operator.
Returning to academia, Dr. Wiens began teaching hydraulic system design at the University of Saskatchewan in 2012 as an after-work project, which lead to full-time employment as a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in 2014. In this capacity, he has been responsible for teaching classes on hydraulic (fluid power) systems, general engineering design at introductory and advanced levels, dynamic system modelling, tribology, and wave propagation. His research includes optimizing the performance, energy efficiency and noise production in hydraulic systems; machine learning and artificial intelligence in dynamic systems; and applications to safety in the mining sector.
Consulting
The principal of Nutaksas Research, Travis Wiens is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) and holds a Permission to Consult in the field of Mechanical Engineering, in the areas of Hydraulics & Fluid Power, Controls, Machine & System Design, and Mechatronics.
Nutaksas Research solicits small to medium engineering research projects utilizing the principal's specialized expertise. Send requests for proposals to info@nutaksas.com.
Nutaksas Research does not perform publishable academic research (direct these to t.wiens@usask.ca) or compete with the principal's current or former students.
Links
Publications of Travis Wiens: ORCiD, Google Scholar