research

In this paper, we present a geometric discretization scheme for incompressible linearized elasticity. We use ideas from discrete exterior calculus (DEC) to write the action for a discretized elastic body modeled by a simplicial complex. After characterizing the configuration manifold of volume-preserving discrete deformations, we use Hamilton's principle on this configuration manifold. The discrete Euler-Lagrange equations are obtained without using Lagrange multipliers.

Several recent papers have reported measurements of adhesion energy between graphene and other materials (e.g., Si/SiOx and copper) [1-3]. Like thin films, many experimental methods may be adopted to measure the interfacial properties of graphene, such as the pressurized blister test [2] and the double-cantilever beam test [3]. The challenges lie in the handling of atomically thin membranes and analysis/interpretation of the data.

One Ph.D. position is now available starting October 2013 on magnetorheological elastomers in the Solid Mechanics Laboratory of Ecole Polytechnique, France. The potential student will work on the development of new experimental procedures and high fidelity numerical models for the understanding and constitutive description of microstructured magnetorheological solids. Students with strong interest in new coupled problems and strong background in engineering, physics or/and mechanics are encouraged to apply.