Blog posts

It is generally believed that similar to soluble ligand-induced signal transduction, mechanotransduction initiates at the local force-membrane interface (e.g., at focal adhesions) by inducing local conformational changes or unfolding of membrane-bound proteins, followed by a cascade of diffusion-based or translocation-based signaling in the cytoplasm. However, all published reports, including past studies with the reporter type of construct extended here, were limited in timescale to address this fundamental issue.

Xin-Lin Gao and I had the pleasure of guest-editing a special  issue on "scale effects in mechanics" for the journal, Mathematics and Mechanics of Solids (editor: Professor David Steigmann , UC Berkeley).

The Computational Solid Mechanics group under the direction of Prof. Marisol Koslowski in the School of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue has an opening for a postdoctoral position in the area of multiscale modeling as part of the project “Plasticity in ultrafine grained materials” funded by DOE. A successful candidate is expected to have a strong background in computational solid mechanics and programming experience. While experience in plasticity using dislocation dynamics or phase field methods is a plus, all outstanding candidates will be considered.

I have some problem in defining the material properties using UMAT. I want to simulate the cubic stress-strain traction-sepration law. Solution doesn't converge after max load is applied (i.e zero slope of stress-strain plot). I am using riks solver. I have written my stress -strain relationship as below in UMAT file. Please tell me how to converge the solution even after zero slope of stress-strain relationship. Can i make my load factor(lambda) negative in riks option.

A graduate student researcher is sought to work on a theoretical and computational aspect of multiscale/ multi-physics material modeling (with an emphasis on biological materials and structures). The project’s envisioned outcome is to a better understanding of the relationship between the small scale physics and structures and the overall macroscopic properties of a material. This research has application in the design of new, smart material, or in the development of treatment for injuries and disease of biological tissues.