Research Projects
Major Research Initiatives:
- National Science Foundation Industry/University Research Center
- Office of Naval Research Multi-University Research Initiative (Fe-Ga alloys)
- Department of Energy Graduate Automotive Technology Education center
Current Projects:
(Click on the project titles for further information)
- Torque sensing - Magnetostrictive materials [American Axle & Manufacturing]
- Reconfiguration for RF antenna - Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) [OSU Institute for Materials Research]
- Next generation flexible sensors - Electrospun polymer-based materials [NSF Fundamental Supplement]
- Modeling and characterization of ferromagnetic shape memory materials (FSMAs) - Continuum thermodynamics; static and dynamic experiments; finite element modeling [National Science Foundation]
- Control of magnetic active materials - Specific emphasis on nonlinear adaptive control of NiMnGa [National Science Foundation]
- Modeling of Galfenol alloys - Constitutive modeling; system-level transducer models in time and frequency domains; finite element modeling [Office of Naval Research]
- Device design based on NiMnGa, Terfenol-D, Galfenol, PZT - Deformation sensors; sonar transducers; fuel injectors; automotive components [National Science Foundation, Smart Vehicle Concepts Center]
- Electrohydrostatic actuation and sensing - Active and passive valve development, modeling, and characterization [Moog Inc.]
- Microacoustic sensors - Membrane and cochlea-type pressure sensors [ANSOL]
- Adaptive powertrain mounts - Smart material-based multi-DOF mounts [Ford/Tokai Rubber]
- Active metal-matrix composites - Based on Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) [Edison Welding Institute]
- Statistical characterization of ultrasonic additive manufacturing - Design of experiment (DOE) [Solidica Inc. and Edison Welding Institute]
- Constitutive modeling and characterization of electro-magneto-electro-mechanical solids - Continuum thermodynamics [Institute for Materials Research]
- Ultrasonic Galfenol actuators - Electrical and magnetic circuit design; device development, system-level modeling [Transportation Research Endowment Program]
- Adaptive seat belts - Piezoelectric and nanocomposites [Honda Initiation Grant]
- Joining of shape memory alloys - Ultrasonic soldering and laser welding [Boeing]
Past Projects:
- Electrohydrostatic actuation [DARPA]
- Terfenol-D pump for electrohydrostatic actuation [Dana Corp.]
- Electrical stiffness tuning, constitutive modeling and characterization of NiMnGa [Ohio Space Grant Consortium]
- Magnetomechanical characterization of NiMnGa
- Hybrid Terfenol-D/PMN-PT transducers
- Particle Terfenol-D composites [Transportation Research Endowment Program]
- Epidural needle insertion simulator
- Osteogenesis induced by magnetostrictive composite
- Data interpretation of in-line pipe inspection sensor
- Reversible adhesion based on Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) [DARPA]
- Texture and shape morphing - Use of shape memory polymers to achieve reversible morphing [National Science Foundation]
VISMALAB
We have developed the computational tool ``Virtual Smart Materials Laboratory'' (VISMALAB) which is employed to enhance physical understanding of smart material systems by facilitating the interaction with a variety of physical environments. Objectives of VISMALAB are: (i) allow students to better correlate mathematical models with real physical systems, and (ii) aid the teacher in the process of establishing such connections. VISMALAB consists of software applets that integrate physically-based models, numerical solution techniques, and a graphical interface. Students interact with VISMALAB by adding physical features, changing model parameters, and evaluating the effects of the changes on system response. VISMALAB is funded in part by the National Science Foundation. VISMALAB v.1.0 for piezoelectric materials subjected to electric fields and stresses can be downloaded here.