research

We proposed a computational methodology for generating microstructure models of random composites with cylindrical or sphero-cylindrical inclusions having high volume fraction and broad aspect ratio distribution. The proposed methodology couples the random sequential adsorption (RSA) algorithm and dynamic finite element (FE) simulations. It uses RSA to generate sparse inclusion assemblies of low volume fraction and subsequently utilizes dynamic FE simulation for inclusion packing to achieve high volume fractions.

A special issue of Journal of Nanomaterials is devoted to "Low-Dimensional Phase Transforming Materials" which obtained significant interests in the recent years. This topic covers a broad range of research such as 

In our new paper published on Science Advances, we carefully measured the elastic mechanical properties of individual silicon nanowires by uniaxial tensile straining under both SEM and high-res optical microscope, and demonstrated that high quality VLS–grown single-crystalline Si nanowires with diameters of ~100 nm can be reversibly stretched at room temperature with 10% or more elastic strain, approaching the theoretical limit of silicon. 

Molecular dynamics (MD) is employed to investigate the plastic deformation mechanisms of single crystalline yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia (YSTZ) nanopillars under uniaxial compression. Simulation results show that the nanoscale plastic deformation of YSTZ is strongly dependent on the crystallographic orientation of zirconia nanopillars. For the first time, the experimental explored tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation is reproduced by MD simulations in some particular loading directions.

Small-scale mechanics, especially in situ in electron microscopes, is what I enjoy spending my time with. Within this monthly journal club topic on iMechanica, I would like to give a quick recapitulation of what happened in micromechanics, of course with special emphasis to in situ techniques, over the last years to set the stage. Subsequently, we should revisit some longstanding issues before turning towards recent developments in the field of fracture testing.

            The University of Notre Dame, Center for Shock Wave-processing of Advanced Reactive Materials (C-SWARM), is seeking a highly qualified candidate for the postdoctoral associate position in the area of computational mechanics/physics with emphasis on chemically reactive solids. C-SWARM is center of excellence established by National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) whose primary focus is on the emerging field of predictive science.