Post-doc position in Computational Design Optimization available at University of Sheffield, UK
Research Associate in Computational Design Optimization
University of Sheffield - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Civil and Structural Engineering
Blog posts
Journal Club for July 2021: Computational Design of Compliant Mechanisms
Computational Design of Compliant Mechanisms
Jessica McWilliams (jmcw [at] seas.upenn.edu), Wei-Hsi Chen (weicc [at] seas.upenn.edu), Cynthia Sung (crsung [at] seas.upenn.edu)
General Robotics, Automation, Sensing & Perception (GRASP) Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania, USA
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.