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Abstract: Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is at the forefront of the nation’s advanced reactor R&D effort. Advanced reactor are a promising form of baseload carbon free energy generation and several studies are expecting them to play a critical part in US decarbonization plans. The seminar presentation will be divided in two parts. The first will […] Keywords: |
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Understanding battery safety issues from a mechanics-driven perspective Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries are one of the critical momentums of our current mobile society. With the further development and application of increasingly high energy density batteries and large capacity battery packs in electric vehicles, cellphones, laptops, and large-scale energy storage systems, the consequences of battery safety issues now become significant threats. Internal short circuits (ISCs) […] Keywords: |
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Weather Forecast and Climate Models in Today’s World Abstract: Weather Forecast and Climate Models, often referred to as General Circulation Models (GCMs), play pivotal roles in modern society, impacting various sectors, from everyday planning to aviation and national defense. This presentation explores the multifaceted significance of GCMs, both scientifically and economically. Economically, accurate weather and climate predictions yield an annual economic benefit exceeding […] Keywords: |
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Physics-Informed Learning of Melt Pool Dynamics in Metal Additive Manufacturing Abstract: Metal additive manufacturing (AM), e.g., laser-based powder bed fusion (L-PBF), offers an enabling opportunity for making complex metal parts or customized alloys with design freedom. The unique thermal cycle of rapid heating, fast solidification, and melt-back during metal AM may cause very complex metal pool dynamics, such as steep temperature gradient and high cooling […] Keywords: |
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Abstract: Thermoelectric coolers (TECs), also known as Peltier coolers, are solid-state cooling devices powered by a direct (dc) current. They offer high reliability, silent operation, and do not require the use of refrigerant chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. However, TEC performance is generally limited as compared to traditional vapor-compression refrigeration systems and […] Keywords: |
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Lightning Talks: Meet Our Faculty Three ME faculty will present their research. Come and learn about their exciting research, ask questions, and learn about research opportunities. Prof. Mihai “Mishu” Duduta obtained his B.S. degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Materials Science Engineering and received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Engineering Sciences from Harvard University. While at MIT […] Keywords: |
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New NIH Grant to Help Unravel the Molecular Mechanisms of Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease Approximately 537 million people worldwide are affected by diabetes mellitus, a condition characterized by high blood sugar levels. By 2030, it is projected that this number will increase to 643 million. Among individuals with diabetes, almost half are older adults aged 65 or above who have type 2 diabetes. As the global population ages and […] Keywords: |
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ME Students Triumph with Fastest Formula SAE Car By Olivia Drake, Written Communications Specialist Photos courtesy of Doug Willoughby/SAE and the UConn FSAE team During the FSAE intercollegiate competition, held May 17-20, 2023, at Michigan International Speedway, the student-run motorsport club placed in the top 10% of 121 teams from the U.S. and Europe. This was UConn’s 13th year competing. “As a whole, […] Keywords: |
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Biodegradable Ultrasound Opens the Blood-Brain Barrier A new, biodegradable piezoelectric device far more powerful than previous devices could make brain cancers more treatable, a team of Mechanical Engineering researchers report in the June 14 issue of Science Advances. The group, developed a novel sensor from electrospun crystals of glycine, an amino acid that is a common protein in the body, and […] Keywords: |
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Less Painful, More Convenient Antibody Treatments A timed-release patch made of biodegradable polymer by a team led by Prof. Thanh Duc Nguyen could make antibody treatments more accessible and safer. Read more by following the link below: Keywords: |
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Prof. Bilal receives the 2023 Phononics Young Investigator Award This year’s Phononics Young Investigator Award goes to our own ME Prof. Osama Bilal. “The Phononics Young Investigator Award (YIA) is presented by the International Phononics Society to an early-career researcher who demonstrates research excellence in the field of phononics (including phononic crystals, acoustic/elastic metamaterials, nanoscale phonon transport, wave propagation in periodic structures, coupled phenomena […] Keywords: |
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Energy and Emissions in the Built Environment: A Grand Challenge Abstract: The construction and operation of buildings contribute massively to global energy use and greenhouse gas emissions; therefore, buildings will play a central role in the path toward a sustainable, net zero, clean energy future. This presentation will give a high-level framing of buildings’ role in the 21st century energy challenge, as well as associated […] Keywords: |
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Open Access Benchmark Datasets and Metamodels for Problems in Mechanics Abstract: Metamodels, or models of models, map defined model inputs to defined model outputs. When metamodels are constructed to be computationally cheap, they are an invaluable tool for applications ranging from topology optimization, to uncertainty quantification, to real-time prediction, to multi-scale simulation. In particular, for heterogeneous materials, metamodels are useful for exploring the influence of […] Keywords: |
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Abstract: Sickle cells are known for their significantly shortened lifespan (10-20 days), which is much shorter than the lifespan (~120 days) of the normal red blood cells (RBCs). Similar to normal RBCs, sickle cells are also challenged by repeated hypoxia cycles as well as mechanical fatigue. To examine the impact of these repeated challenges toward […] Keywords: |
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Abstract: Topology optimization has emerged as a promising and powerful approach to design engineered materials and components. Initially restricted to two-phase, solid-void design problems in linear elasticity, topology optimization approaches for multi-physics and multi-material problems have emerged. These problems are often dominated by interface phenomena, such as contact and delamination at material interfaces and boundary […] Keywords: |
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Abstract: The emerging economic and societal needs such as advanced manufacturing, environmental treatment, and space exploration call for machines that can operate in harsh and complex environments. An attractive approach is to utilize a new paradigm of physical intelligence in material development: a rational material design will enable its on-board actuation, sensing, and analysis, without […] Keywords: |
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Atomistic simulations to develop novel materials and understand their behavior Abstract: The properties of materials are highly dependent on their structures, which include morphologies, grain boundaries, phases, atomic structures, Etc. In particular, the atomic structures determine the limit of their properties, which are the unique characteristics of each material. However, predicting physical properties and understanding their origins demand accurate electronic structure and atomic structure calculations, […] Keywords: |
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Exploring the Multiphysics of the Brain during Development, Aging, and in Neurological Diseases Abstract: The human brain undergoes a myriad of changes during its lifetime. From a mechanics perspective alone, it is mesmerizing how the brain develops during early life, transforms into this highly functional, albeit still very enigmatic, organ that makes us unique, and is subjected to injury, disease, and ultimately age-related degeneration like every other part […] Keywords: |
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Multi-scale modeling and neural operators Abstract: The behavior of materials involve physics at multiple length and time scales: electronic, atomistic, domains, defects, etc. The engineering properties that we observe and exploit in application are a sum total of all these interactions. Multiscale modeling seeks to understand this complexity with a divide and conquer approach. It introduces an ordered hierarchy of […] Keywords: |
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Compressible Convection in Planetary Mantles: a Comparison of Different Models Abstract In numerical modeling of planetary and stellar convection, taking into account compressibility effects is crucial. However, using the exact equations may not be feasible due to the generation of fast acoustic waves, which distract from the slower convective motions caused by buoyancy. The Oberbeck-Boussinesq model simplifies the calculations by suppressing the acoustic waves making it […] Keywords: |
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