There is an increasing demand on the aerospace and automotive industries to reduce weight, fuel consumption and emission of CO2 gases by using lightweight materials such as Magnesium (Mg), Aluminum (Al), Alumina (Al2O3). Also, lightweight materials that are resistant to shock loading are needed in protective vehicles and personnel Armour to prevent injury. Furthermore, advanced biomaterials including tissue simulant materials with superior performance are needed for biomedical applications. Our research group tailors the microstructures of conventional and advanced materials including biomaterials for structural and biomedical applications.

 

For lightweight structural applications, we conduct novel research into processing of advanced lightweight structural materials and characterize the microstructure using electron microscopy and mechanical properties (static to high strain rates) of  the processed materials. This includes the detailed microstructural mechanisms that result in failure during deformation. This knowledge is then used to tailor the microstructure of the materials to have exceptional properties such as resistance to extreme loading conditions (high temperature/strain rate) and fracture.

 

For biomedical applications, we use experimental techniques to process and study the structure and properties of advanced biomaterials used as medical implants including tissue simulant biomaterials. We have experience in materials ranging from metallic materials to advanced materials such as advanced Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs), ceramic nanocomposites, high entropy alloys and tissue simulant biomaterials. 

 

We conduct multiscale mechanical characterization (static, quasi-static and high strain rate) coupled with 3D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) in our lab. We also conduct fatigue, tensile and compression tests from -40 degrees Celsius to 500 degrees Celsius. For microstructural characterization, we can study the materials from atomic scale (HRTEM) to micro-scale (FIB/SEM). We currently have these equipment for Materials Science Research and Projects:

 

Atomic to Micro Scale Microstructural Characterization of Materials:

1.  Focused Ion Beam/ Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB/FEG-SEM)

2. Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM/HRTEM/STEM)

3. Atomic Force Microscope with a Nano-indenter and PeakForce Quantitative Nanoscale Mechanical Characterization for materials

4. Optical Profiler (Contour GT) for surface roughness characterization and measurements

5. Micro Computed Tomography (res: > 20 microns)) Scanner for non-destructive evaluation of the internal microstructure of processed materials (porosity, micro-cracks).

6. X-ray Diffractometer for XRD (grain size, micro-strain, dislocation density, crystal structures, phases, elemental composition) 

7. Micro-analysis and Electron Probe Microanalyzer Spectroscopy EPMA (EDS, EDX, EDXS or XEDS),

8. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy

9. Nano-hardness and Micromet micro-hardness tester

 

Static, Quasi-Static and High Strain Rate Mechanical Characterization

1. 3D Digital Image Correlation (LaVision StrainMaster 3D DIC) for fatigue, compression tension, torsional and bi-axial tests

2. Direct Impact Hopkinson Pressure Bar coupled with a 3D DIC system for high strain rate compression tests 

3. Electrodynamic test frame with temperature test chambers (-80 degrees Celsius to 600 deg C)

4. Universal Mechanical Tester Tribometer for tribological and wear characterization of materials under varying environments (fluid environments, high temperatures and scratch tests)

5. Tension Compression test frames with 3-point bend, 4-point bend and Single Etched Notched Beam (SENB) testing fixtures

6. High-Speed Cameras- Vision Research Phantom v1610 for compression, tensile, torsional and bi-axial tests

7. Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA)

8. Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)

9. Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA)

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Research Areas and Interests

• Microstructural Tailoring Of Advanced Materials Using Additive Manufacturing (AM) Techniques  Such As Metal 3D Printing, Alloy Design And Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) Processes.

• Multi-scale Deformation Response Of Advanced Materials Under Extreme Loading Conditions (Hopkinson Pressure Bar Experiments Coupled With DIC).

• Fatigue Failure And Microstructural Mechanisms Of Fatigue Failure Of Advanced Materials.

• Microstructural Effects On Multiscale Mechanical Properties And Fracture Behavior of Advanced Materials.

• Computational Materials Modeling And Finite Element Method Simulation Of Deformation Behavior.

• Processing And Characterization Of Advanced Biomaterials Including Tissue Simulant Biomaterials.

• High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), Microanalysis And Spectroscopy.

• Biomechanics And Impact Biomechanics.