• The Institute of High
  Performance Computing (IHPC), a member of the Agency for Science,
  Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore, invites applications for
  eight available positions for research scientists in the field of
  theoretical and computational mechanics and materials science. These
  positions are in conjunction with the A*STAR-sponsored Visiting
  Investigatorship Program (VIP) led by Prof. Huajian Gao from Brown University who is the Principle Investigator.

Depolarization field and misfit strain are two important factors that may greatly influence the properties of ferroelectric thin films. The effect of depolarization field on polarization states of single-domain ferroelectric thin films with nonequally biaxial in-plane misfit strains are studied in the present work by numerically solving three coupled Euler-Lagrange equations, which are derived from the minimization of total free energy.

We have recently reported the label-free detection of HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) helicase by using a resonating microcantilever whose surface is functionalized by RNA aptamers as receptor molecules. This work was accepted for publication at Biosensors & Bioelectronics.

Abstract

Abstract 

We study the kinetics of phase transformations in solids using the peridynamic formulation of continuum mechanics. The peridynamic theory is a nonlocal formulation that does not involve spatial derivatives, and is a powerful tool to study defects such as cracks and interfaces.

      This letter describes a method to analyze electromechanical stability of dielectric elastomer actuators.  We write the free energy of an actuator using stretches and nominal electric displacement as generalized coordinates, and pre-stresses and voltage as control parameters.  When the Hessian of the free-energy function ceases to be positive-definite, the actuator thins down drastically, often resulting in electrical breakdown.  Our calculation shows that stability of the actuator is markedly enhanced by pre-stresses.

 
   This is a stress modeling position in TI's research
organization Silicon Technology Development (SiTD). The opening is
immediate and the position is filling very fast. Minimum requirement:
MS degree in the following fields: Mechanical Engineering, Physics,
Materials Science or Engineering Mechanics. PhD degree is preferred. 
Please email your resume to Jie-Hua (Jeff) Zhao at jhzhao [at] ti.com or

When an electric voltage is applied across the thickness of a thin layer of an dielectric elastomer, the layer reduces its thickness and expands its area. This electrically induced deformation can be rapid and large, and is potentially useful as soft actuators in diverse technologies. Recent experimental and theoretical studies have shown that, when the voltage exceeds some critical value, the homogenous deformation of the layer becomes unstable, and the layer deforms into a mixture of thin and thick regions.