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You are invited to present your research work on the mechanical behavior of nanocomposite materials (Nov. 13-19, 2009 in Florida ). This topic will be focused on systematic mechanics experiments, modeling and simulations to solve new challenging mechanics problems such the effect of nanofiller agglomeration on the stiffness and strength reduction; interfacial stress transferring and interface strength evaluation at the nanoscale.

A postdoctoral research position in first-principles based
multiscale modeling of catalysts for PEM fuel cells is available immediately at
the Richard
G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy in Indiana University-Purdue University
Indianapolis (IUPUI). The candidate will work on a
project on developing low-cost yet high-performance low temperature fuel cells.
This project involves close collaborations with the experimental scientists.
The candidate should hold a doctor degree in a relevant discipline, such as Materials
Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or Chemical Engineering. The ideal
candidate should have a strong background in atomistic scale simulations
(Density Functional Theory, molecular dynamics, and Monte Carlo methods) and scientific

The ASME Multifunctional Materials Technical Committee of the Materials Division is organizing a symposium on Multifunctional Materials and Material Systems at IMECE2008 to be held in Boston, MA during Oct. 31-Nov. 6, 2008.

Abstract submission deadline: March 3, 2008 

Deadline for abstract submission: March 3, 2008

We enhanced a bi-layer fiber-matrix microstructural arterial model with softening and analyzed the artery inflation under the internal pressure. Numerical simulations lead to the following three findings. Firstly, it is found that the fiber strength dominates the strength of the media layer. Secondly, it is found that the strength of the media layer dominates the overall arterial strength and plays the crucial role in the load-bearing capacity of arteries. Thirdly, it is found that residual stresses can increase the overall arterial strength significantly. The pre-existing compression in arteries delays the onset of rupture like the pre-existing compression in the pre-stressed concrete delays the crack opening.