Blog posts

In the past decade, the development of theory has deeply revealed the electromechanical coupling deformation mechanism of dielectric elastomer (DE). Many theoretical predictions on highly nonlinear deformation of dielectric elastomer have been verified by experiments. With the guidance of theory, the voltage-induced areal strain of dielectric elastomer has been increased from 100% in the pioneering work to the current record of 2200% and the energy density of a dielectric elastomer generator has reached 780 mJ/g.

EML Webinar on May 27, 2020 will be given by Prof. Norman Fleck at the University of Cambridge via Zoom meeting. Discussion leader: Vikram Deshpande, Cambridge.

Title: New Horizons in Microarchitectured Materials

Time: 7 am California, 10 am Boston, 3 pm London, 10 pm Beijing on May 20, 2020

A postdoctoral position on soft material ionotronics is available in the Silberstein lab (silbersteinlab.com) to start in late summer/early fall of 2020. Expertise in electrochemistry and/or continuum mechanics is desirable. The ideal candidate will also be familiar with polyelectrolytes, gels, and/or ionomers.

The University of Southern Denmark invites applications from qualified doctoral graduates for a 3-year postdoc position in the field of Soft Robotics.

The application deadline is 14th June, 2020 | Apply Online

Published in Extreme Mechanics Letters: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eml.2020.100685. Catastrophic failure of materials and structures due to unstable crack growth could be prevented if fracture toughness could be enhanced at will through structural design, but how can this be possible if fracture toughness is a material constant related to energy dissipation in the vicinity of a propagating crack tip.

Dr. Wing Kam Liu, Walter P. Murphy Professor and Director of Global Center on Advanced Material Systems and Simulation, Northwestern University, invites applications for an open postdoctoral position within his research group.

Successful candidate is expected to work on the development of high-performance computational platform for multiscale and multi-physics systems. Candidates with solid knowledge of high-performance computing (MPI, GPU, etc.) and experience in one or both of the following areas are highly encouraged to apply.

The Electronic Components, Technology and Materials (ECTM) Group at Delft University of Technology is seeking a PhD candidate, who is available immediately. Applicants should have a recent Master degree with a strong research record in solid mechanics: multi-scale/ multi-physics modeling of advanced materials, computational mechanics for materials, structures and energy systems in extreme environments.

A Ph.D. opening in Deployable Structures is available in Dr. Kawai Kwok’s research group in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department at University of Central Florida. The research will focus on developing a novel deployable blade structure using a combination of fabrication, experimental and computational techniques. Students with Bachelor or Master degrees in Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and other relevant disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Amit Acharya           Jorge Vinals

(in Physical Review, B)

A new formulation of the Phase Field Crystal model is presented that is consistent with the necessary microscopic independence between the phase field, reflecting the broken symmetry of the phase, and both mass density and elastic distortion. Although these quantities are related in equilibrium through a macroscopic equation of state, they are independent variables in the free energy, and can be independently varied in evaluating the dissipation functional that leads to the model governing equations. The equations obtained describe dislocation motion in an elastically stressed solid, and serve as an extension of the equations of plasticity to the Phase Field Crystal setting. Both finite and small deformation theories are considered, and the corresponding kinetic equations for the fields derived.

We are looking for candidates to join the Utah Waves and Architected Materials Group (w.mech.utah.edu). We have fully funded openings for undergrads, MS and PhD. Both full-time and part-time researchers are needed.