Magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) are a class of recently emerged smart materials whose moduli are largely influenced when exposed to an external magnetic field. The MREs are particulate composites, where micro-sized magnetic particles are dispersed inside a non-magnetic polymeric matrix. These elastomers are known for changing their mechanical and rheological properties in the presence of a magnetic field. This change in properties is widely known as the magnetorheological (MR) effect.

We currently have two postdoctoral research positions available in the Injury Biomechanics Laboratory at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, PA starting Fall 2020.  These positions involve the development of high-fidelity finite element head models and the design of computational studies to advance our understanding of traumatic brain injury (TBI).  The first position is focused on blast-induced TBI, and the second position is focused on pediatric TBI.

Apply now for the Hector Research Career Development (RCD) Award! With the Hector RCD Award, the Hector Fellow Academy supports the research careers of promising research group leaders. The Award gives you the unique opportunity to benefit from research funding for an outstanding research project. In addition, you will become part of a network of top scientists including the laureates of the Hector Science Award. The Hector Fellow Academy is committed to top interdisciplinary research, innovative projects, dialogue between science and society and the promotion of young researchers.

I ask each member in my group to set up a Twitter account using his or her real name. Here are my reasons.

iMechanica and Twitter are two networks. A dual user is an interlink between the two networks.

The USNC/TAM will be hosting on August 27 a webinar on Machine Learning in Mechanics. The event will be recorded, and the videos will be posted on the USNC/TAM site afterward. The attached flyer includes the Zoom link to register.

Hierarchically enhanced impact resistance of bioinspired composites, Gu, Takaffoli, Buehler, Advanced Materials, 2017

Novelty/impact/significance:

A methodology combining simulation, additive manufacturing of biomimetic structures, and mechanical testing is developed, and the function of structural hierarchy is explicated. The findings provide insightful guidance for designing future protective materials and devices.

All materials are anisotropic, that's a fact. Like the fact that all materials have a nonlinear response. This we can't deny. Still enormous progress has been made by assuming both isotropy and linear elasticity. The success, as we all know, is due to the fact that many construction materials are very close to being both isotropic and linear. By definition materials may be claimed to be isotropic and linear, provided that the deviations are held within specified limits. Very often or almost always in structural design nearly perfect linearity is expected.

EML Webinar on 19 August 2020 will be given by Professor Markus Buehler, MIT via Zoom meeting. Discussion leader: Professor Grace Gu, UC Berkeley

Title: The mechanics of biomateriomics

Time: 7 am California, 10 am Boston, 3 pm London, 10 pm Beijing on 19 August 2020

Zoom Link: https://harvard.zoom.us/j/271079684