Project Info

Development of High Speed Fabrication for Metamaterials

Metamaterials are synthetic composites designed to have properties that are not found in natural materials. The goal of this project to develop high-speed techniques to make some of the metamaterials that we have invented and patented at Mines. The project is interesting because it applies material science and mechanical engineering skills to create a new generation of impact-mitigating materials exceeding the performance of any known alternative.

More Information

Excellent background on metamaterials can be found at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metamaterial

https://www.nature.com/articles/nature21075

https://www.nature.com/articles/nmat4694

Grand Engineering Challenge: Not applicable

Student Preparation

Qualifications

The successful student conducting this project will have the following characteristics:
– skill in using Solid Works and designing complex geometries
– curiosity and creativity to propose new design and approaches
– hands-on capability to fabricate items needed in the project, in a machine shop or by 3D printing

Time Commitment

40 hours/month

Skills/Techniques Gained

Skills that will evolve from conducting this project include: teamwork, material processing, composite material design, impact testing.

Mentoring Plan

We have implemented a formal peer mentoring program in our Nanostructured Materials Research Team. Our approach is based on the successful mentoring programs implemented at the University of California and University of Michigan. Senior research faculty and graduate students are paired with undergraduate students for mentoring within our program. Our senior research team members are each trained in mentoring.