Blog posts

Helix is a very interesting structure. There are many biopolymers that have a helical structure. 

• How can someone model the helix in mechanics?
• How can the helix reinforce a rod? 
• How does this structure reflect the mechanical properties of biopolymers?

We have an immediate opening in the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics for a postdoctoral research associate in multiscale modeling and computational mechanics. The focus of this position is on the modeling, simulation, and analysis of the nonlinear evolution of coupled macro/microstructure in failure processes, with an emphasis toward structural health monitoring. Coupled-field models using continuum damage variables will be used to study the fundamental spatiotemporal features of damage evolution, particularly regarding the nature and origin of unpredictability in damage processes. The candidate must have a solid general background in theoretical mechanics and dynamics, and be familiar with nonlinear finite element analysis

The person in this position will be responsible for developing finite element-based soft tissue representations that supportreal-time interaction with surgical tools. The successful candidate should befamiliar with the extensive prior work in the field of surgical simulationincluding finite element formulations (both traditional nonlinear approaches aswell as various real-time approximations), real-time collision detection andresponse between rigid and deformable objects, multi-processor/coreimplementations, and integration with haptics devices.