Project Info
*Characterization of Additive Thermosets for Agile Manufacturing and Army Needs
Leslie Lamberson
les@mines.edu
This project aids in understanding fundamental material properties across strain rates of additively manufactured thermosets. It is a collaboration between mechanical engineers, chemical engineers, industry (PPG, Inc., additive experts) and the Army Research Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving grounds. The project has four complementary pillars: fundamental understanding of thermoset polymer chemorheology properties, incorporation of reinforcements and performance additives, process performance-structure relationships and predictive empirical material property evolution. Specifically, our team at Mines works on the dynamic material characterization of these new advanced additively manufactured polymers to understand what components in chemistry and synthesis create stronger and tougher materials, well suited for military and commercial applications. The proposed MURF work is largely focused on mechanics, material preparation and in-lab characterization using novel impact experiments, ultra high-speed imaging and/or full-field metrology techniques.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Engineer the tools of scientific discovery
https://www.dynamic-lamberson.com
Primary Contacts:
Dr. Leslie Lamberson (Faculty advisor of XSTRM lab), Dr. Stelios Koumlis (Research Faculty of XSTRM lab)
Student Preparation
Qualifications
The most important characteristic we look for in a student is integrity. Prospective students should have some basic mechanics of materials knowledge and be open to learning new software, material preparation and/or material laboratory characterization and analysis techniques. We also feel being a good collaborator (team environment) and good communicator are necessary qualifications for the position.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
4.5
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
The student will gain hands-on experimental mechanics experience in a research lab, as well as experience working as part of a collaborative team (with industry, academic and national laboratory partners). The student will gain fundamental knowledge on additive manufacturing, dynamic behavior of brittle materials, experimental mechanics, materials science and technical communication skills.
MENTORING PLAN
The student will have an onboarding process for the lab with the lab faculty advisor. Then the student will be paired with a graduate student and/or postdoc for the project and will work directly in the lab with that mentor. The lab works in a very team-oriented environment, so various trainings or aspects of the project for the student will be done by/with various members of the lab team once a designed project plan is in place. The student will meet with the entire team, including the advisor, for weekly group meetings and monthly for the specific project update meeting. The student is invited to all relevant additional meetings from various outside-of-Mines project team members as they are able.
PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS
Sophomore
Junior
Senior