Materials
Understanding the structure-processing property relationships and the in-service evolution in engineering materials is the focus of materials research at MEAM.
Researchers design experimental techniques for probing the physics of material deformation, damage, and fracture while measuring the macroscale response. They also develop theories relating the deformation mechanisms to the response of structures and use numerical tools, such as finite element methods, to validate models. From these studies, researchers learn how to design manufacturing processes to exploit material response, to optimize material constituents and structure for demanding applications, and to ad-vance the limits of material performance. Applications for materials research include automotive, aerospace, and civil industries.


MAJOR RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Studies of:

  • fatigue of ceramic matrix composites used in advanced aircraft engines and heat exchangers for which the component temperatures can exceed 1200ºC. This research is aimed at optimizing the microstructure in applications at the limit of material performance;
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  • deformation and processing of thermoplastic polymers and composites which offer improved toughness, faster processing times, and recyclability;
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  • the next generation of batteries, investigating how they work and development of materials for batteries which maximize their efficiency;
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  • fundamental mechanisms in deformation and failure processes in engineering applications, such as wear of metals and polymers, fracture of adhesives, and cyclic damage in composites and elastomers.
    •  FACILITIES
    Materials facilities include the Mechanical Behavior of Materials and Materials Processing Lab, and the Ceramic Composites Research Lab.


    FACULTY
    Ellen M. Arruda
    John W. Holmes
    Kenneth C. Ludema
    Ann Marie Sastry
    Michael D. Thouless


    Research Activities


    Research Introduction | Biomechanics | Design | Dynamics | Vibrations
    Computational Mechanics | Fluid Mechanics | Heat Transfer | Combustion | Thermodynamics
    Manufacturing | Materials | Solid Mechanics | Systems and Control

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