Dear iMechanicians. I hope that the following paper is of interest to you. We develop the first phase field formulation for fracture (and fatigue) in Shape Memory Alloys. Its potential is demonstrated by solving a variety of paradigmatic 2D and 3D boundary value problems, from R-curves to fatigue cracking of a NiTi biomedical stent.

M. Simoes, E. Martínez-Pañeda. Phase field modelling of fracture and fatigue in Shape Memory Alloys. Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 373 (2021) 113504

The project aims at multiscale non-linear simulalations of earthquakes. The candidates should have a solid mechanical background (elasticity + plasticity (preferable)) and an experience in the computational mechanics. The candidates with a knowledge of flow in porous media or/and with an experience with Comsol multiphysics are especially encouraged to apply.

An immediate postdoc position is open in Advanced Hierarchical Materials by Design Lab at the University of Alabama on multiscale modeling of materials and processes.

EML Webinar on 4 November 2020 will be given by  Zhigang Suo, Harvard University. Discussion leader: Jimmy Hsia, Nanyang Technological University

Title: Topological adhesion, wet and elastic

Time: 9:30 am Boston, 2 pm London, 3 pm Paris, 10:30 pm Beijing on 4 November 2020

Hydrogel Ionotronics: Principles, Materials and Applications

Canhui Yang

Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology

Email: yangch [at] sustech.edu.cn (yangch[at]sustech[dot]edu[dot]cn)

1.     Introduction

Dear colleagues, we have our recent paper, Flower Inspiration: Broad-angle Structural Color through Tunable Hierarchical Wrinkles in Thin Film Multilayers, published on Advanced Functional Materials. The cuticular nano-ridges on certain flower petals can selectively display broad-angle iridescence to enhance pollinators’ foraging efficiency. This paper develops a tunable broad-angle diffracting surface based on hierarchical wrinkling composites.

We have two funded PhD positions and we are looking for talented, self-motivated, and enthusiastic students with a BSc or MSc degree in mechanical or materials engineering. Students with strong background in crystal plasticity and computational mechanics are recommended to apply.

Prospective candidates will be assessed based on how well they meet the following criteria:

Title:

Enhancing the bonding of CFRP adhesive bonding through laser-based surface preperation sterategies.

Abstract:

Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) have been widely applied in the aerospace and automotive industries to achieve unprecedented weight reductions. However, major challenges need to be solved in order to exploit their full potential, especially in the design of full composite primary structure, making then a vital part of the mobility and energy revolution.

Dear Colleagues,

Our paper on elastic instabilities in soft fiber composites recently got published in International Journal of Engineering Science. In this paper, we explore how the stiffening behavior of composites phases influences the development of instabilities and associated buckling patterns. To do that, we use non-Gaussian hyperleastic  model to define the constitutive behavior of phases. 

A finite element formulation is presented for a direct approach to model elastoplastic deformation in slender bodies using the special Cosserat rod theory. The direct theory has additional plastic strain and hardening variables, which are functions of just the rod's arc-length, to account for plastic deformation of the rod. Furthermore, the theory assumes the existence of an effective yield function in terms of stress resultants, i.e., force and moment in the cross-section and cross-section averaged hardening parameters.