Vertically Integrated Projects
Goals
The goal of our team is to foster an understanding and improve advanced engineering materials and structures by controlling the composition, structure, and properties from the microscopic to the macroscopic. We employ cutting-edge materials technology such as 3-D printing fabrication, thermochemical processing of self-repairing polymers, nanostructured synthesis of DNA-based biopolymeric human bone, smart shape-memory metal alloys, ceramic organosilicates, and composite metamaterials; as well as utilize optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization, force/load mechanical testing, finite element analysis and forensic failure analyses.
Experience Gained
- Fabricate 3D printed structures to be utilized in advance applications.
- Characterize advanced nanostructures for novel functionality.
- Perform Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) for elemental analyses.
- Identify novel specimen preparation for mechanical and optical characterization.
- Scanning Electron Microscopic (SEM) characterization using field emission.
- Develop structural capability using computer finite element analyses (FEA).
- Learn mechanical force testing to determine material strength and novel properties.
- Determine material life-cycle durability using fatigue analyses.