Blog posts
Design of NiTi-based shape memory microcomposites with enhanced elastocaloric performance by a fully thermomechanical coupled phase-field Model
The non-transforming intermetallic Ni3Ti phase generated in NiTi matrix by additive manufacturing was previously reported to create elastocaloric composites with a great coefficient of performance (COP) between 11 and 22 [Hou et al., Science 366 (6469) (2019) 1116–1121]. In this work, we use a fully thermomechanical coupled phase-field model to design microarchitectures with very high COP considering the effects of all the possible non-transforming intermetallics (Ni4Ti3, Ni3Ti, and Ti2Ni) in NiTi.
Two Post-Doctoral Research Associates, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, MD
Job Summary:
The Artificial Organs Laboratory at the Department of Surgery of the University of Maryland seeks highly motivated individuals for two post-doctoral research associate positions in the following areas: blood compatibility and design/development of blood contacting medical devices.
PhD student position in the field of computational mechanics / phase-field modelling at Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Germany
At the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, we are looking for one PhD student (m/f/d) in the field of computational mechanics / phase-field modelling to describe microstructure evolution during a thermo-mechanical process within the ERC Consolidator Grant "Modelling Assisted Solid State Materials Development and Additive Manufacturing" (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101001567/de). Application deadline is July 14th.
PhD opening at UCLA
There is a PhD opening in the Mechanics of Soft Materials Lab (https://www.msm.seas.ucla.edu/) in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles. The opening is to be filled in 2021 fall, 2022 winter or 2022 fall quarter. The successful candidate is expected to work on modeling, simulations, and experiments of soft materials.
Human-eyeball-inspired curvy, shape-adaptive kirigami imagers
Curvy imagers that can adjust their shape are of use in imaging applications that require low optical aberration and tunable focusing power. Existing curvy imagers are either flexible but not compatible with tunable focal surfaces, or stretchable but with low resolution and pixel fill factors. Here, we show that curvy and shape-adaptive imagers with high pixel fill factors can be created by transferring an array of ultrathin silicon optoelectronic pixels with a kirigami design onto curvy surfaces using conformal additive stamp printing.
Mechanics helps design better living robotics
Engineering living systems is a rapidly emerging discipline where the functional biohybrid robotics (or ‘Bio-bots’) are built by integrating of living cells with engineered scaffolds. Inspired by embryonic heart, we presented earlier the first example of a biohybrid valveless pump-bot, an impedance pump, capable of transporting fluids powered by engineered living muscle tissues. The pump consists of a soft tube attached to rigid boundaries at the ends, and a muscle ring that squeezes the tube cyclically at an off-center location. Cyclic contraction results in a net flow through the tube.
2021 Melosh Competition at Duke University: 2nd Call for Abstracts
Dear All,
The 32th Annual Robert J. Melosh Competition for the Best Student Paper in Computational Mechanics will be held at Duke University on October 21-22, 2021. A hybrid format is envisioned at this point, compatibly with Duke University’s policies on gathering under the COVID-19 pandemic.
Small Specimen Fatigue Testing
Studying fatigue properties of small specimens can be challenging, yet is needed for research purposes as well as for product and verification testing in industries like the medical device and additive manufacturing.
Fatigue testing allows manufacturers and researchers to get a critical understanding of how a material or component will perform in real-world loading scenarios over the course of time. Common fatigue testing definitions and keywords include:
Course on V&VUQ of Computational Modeling of Materials and Structures
Dear Members of the Mechanics and Materials Communities,
You may have known about the efforts of the Mechanics of Materials and Structures (MoMS) program of the National Science Foundation on revitalizing the practice of verification and validation (V&V) of computational models as a rigorous and indispensable step in the scientific investigative process.