Shocks in Porous Media
Shock waves in porous media depend on characteristics of the mesostructure leading to spatial and temporal distributions in material state. Fundamental studies on the relationship between particle characteristics and the shock front structure are critical for improved predictive capabilities.
Deformation and Fracture of Polymer-Particle Composites
At intermediate strain rates, polymer-particle composites exhibit a viscoelastic response and stochastic fracture behavior that is dependent on characteristics of the composite materials and their cohesion. By optimizing the particle characteristics within the matrix, the bulk behavior may be tailored to specific applications.
Heating in Conductive Granular Solids
In granular solids, the inter- and intra-particle characteristics affect energy transport phenomena. Critical phenomena occur at the particle interfaces which are distributed throughout the bulk in disordered contact networks.
High-Rate Response of Advanced Materials
Using gas dynamic shock loading or planar impact, we explore the response of advanced materials to high-rate loading events and spatially resolved diagnostics. Current interests include novel metal alloys and architected materials.
Powder Compression in Manufacturing and Energy Storage Devices
Compression of powders occur in many industrial manufacturing processes from national security, pharmaceutical, and energy storage applications. The compression behavior of electrically conductive materials and how evolving particle strength affects particle contacts and electrical conductivity of the bulk is of interest.
Advancing Spatially-Resolved Laser Velocimetry Diagnostics
Laser velocimetry can collect spatially- and temporally-resolved measurements of surface motion at high speeds but is experimentally challenging. For application to high-throughput manufacturing applications desired for explosive components, advancements are needed for ease of use, large data handling, and extraction of critical features from image data.