M3D: Microstructural Mechanics for Material Design
The research interest of M3D group lies within Mechanics of Materials. We combine the experimental and computational methods of mechanics and materials science to unravel the deformation and failure mechanisms of materials with spatial (microstructural features) and temporal (phase transformation, microstructure degradation etc.) heterogeneities. What has typically been missing from mechanistic studies is a statistical perspective. In order to truly understand the micromechanics of a material, the inherent statistics of its microstructural features as well applied loading conditions (varying rate, temperature, corrosive environment etc.) must be treated in an accurate and systematic way. The overarching goal of our research is to relate the statistics of a material’s microstructure and loading conditions to its deformation and failure modes. These help identify regions of relevant parameter space, lead to potential top-down approach for designing advanced materials, and provide a basis for developing statistically informed models for engineering design.
