Education

Research Description

Computational Modeling and Mechanics: hierarchical models spanning the nano to the macro scales; prediction of material and structural response based on physically based material models Failure models for heterogeneous ductile and brittle systems: fracture mechanics; plasticity; microstructural effects due to grain-boundaries, cell walls, sub-grains and grain morphology Dynamic behavior of structures and materials: stress waves in solids; structural dynamics; mechanical behavior of composite structures subjected to high impact velocities; grain-boundary and interfacial effects Experimental Solid Mechanics: AFM, TEM, and SEM quantitative measurements of nano and micro failure surfaces; universal scaling laws, dynamic failure Micromechanics: strengthening and toughening mechanisms in composites; mechanical behavior and structural integrity; mechanical response of ceramics, intermetallics, and polymers; interfacial fracture mechanics Active materials: structural stability and design of smart structures and materials; integration of embedded devices within host systems

Honors and Awards

• R.J. Reynolds Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Extension, 2015

Publications

Microstructural modeling of intergranular fracture in tricrystals with random low- and high-angle grain boundaries

Bond, D. M., & Zikry, M. A. (2017), JOM: the Journal of the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, 69(5), 856-862.

A predictive framework for dislocation-density pile-ups in crystalline systems with coincident site lattice and random grain boundaries

Bond, D. M., & Zikry, M. A. (2017), Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology, 139(2).

Oxidation-induced failure in semi-crystalline organic thin films

Zhao, B. X., & Zikry, M. A. (2017), International Journal of Solids and Structures, 109, 72-83.

Dynamic fracture of aluminum-bonded composites

Khanikar, P., Wu, Q. F., & Zikry, M. A. (2016), Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology, 138(3).

The effects of twins on the large strain deformation and fracture of hexagonal close packed crystalline materials

Ziaei, S., & Zikry, M. A. (2016), Acta Materialia, 120, 435-442.

A direct correlation of x-ray diffraction orientation distributions to the in-plane stiffness of semi-crystalline organic semiconducting films

Zhao, B. X., Awartani, O., O'Connor, B., & Zikry, M. A. (2016), Applied Physics Letters, 108(18).

Microstructural modeling of transgranular and intergranular fracture in crystalline materials with coincident site lattice grain-boundaries: Sigma 3 and Sigma 17b bicrystals

Wu, Q., & Zikry, M. A. (2016), Materials Science & Engineering. A, Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing, 661, 32-39.

Microstructural behavior and failure mechanisms of organic semicrystalline thin film blends

Zhao, B. X., Awartani, O., O'Connor, B., & Zikry, M. A. (2016), Journal of Polymer Science. Part B, Polymer Physics, 54(9), 896-907.

Anisotropic elastic modulus of oriented regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) films

Awartani, O. M., Zhao, B. X., Currie, T., Kline, R. J., Zikry, M. A., & O'Connor, B. T. (2016), Macromolecules, 49(1), 327-333.

Behaviour of crystalline-amorphous interfaces in energetic aggregates subjected to coupled thermomechanical and laser loading

Brown, J. A., & Zikry, M. A. (2015), Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 471(2184).

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

Feasibility Project: Mechanical Experiments for Adhesion Strengths of ITO and IZO Thin Films

Eastman Chemical Company(1/15/16 - 9/15/16)

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Feasibility Project: Mechanical Experiments for Adhesion Strengths of ITO and IZO Thin Films

Sponsor: Eastman Chemical Company

Start Date: 1/15/16

End Date: 9/15/16

Abstract

Conduct mechanical strength and failure experiments pertaining to ITO/IZO thin films to determine the adhesion strength of ITO and IZO thin films and to understand how cracks can initiate cohesively either in the thin film or along the interface.

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EMN-14-S-S-01 Integrated Modeling and Experimental Prediction and Control of Thermo-Mechanical Failure Modes in Thin Film Multilayered Systems

Eastman Chemical Company(11/30/-1 - 2/14/17)

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EMN-14-S-S-01 Integrated Modeling and Experimental Prediction and Control of Thermo-Mechanical Failure Modes in Thin Film Multilayered Systems

Sponsor: Eastman Chemical Company

Start Date: 11/30/-1

End Date: 2/14/17

Abstract

We propose an innovative and integrated modeling and experimental framework that will be used to predict and control thermo-mechanical failure modes, such as delamination, loss of cohesion, debonding, and intergranular and transgranular fracture, of thin film multilayered systems at relevant microstructural physical scales and loading conditions.

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Army Research Proposal for a Workshop on Nanomanufacturing

US Army - Army Research Office(9/03/12 - 10/02/13)

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Army Research Proposal for a Workshop on Nanomanufacturing

Sponsor: US Army - Army Research Office

Start Date: 9/03/12

End Date: 10/02/13

Abstract

A workshop is proposed for nanomanufacturing related to rapid output for specialized products

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Mechanical Properties of Organic Solar Cells

National Science Foundation (NSF)(5/01/12 - 4/30/16)

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Mechanical Properties of Organic Solar Cells

Sponsor: National Science Foundation (NSF)

Start Date: 5/01/12

End Date: 4/30/16

Abstract

Organic semiconductors have the potential to revolutionize macroelectronic devices including solar cells and displays. Organic solar cells, in particular, may provide renewable energy that is cost competitive with fossil fuel sources. A key aspect of this technology is the inherent flexibility and low temperature processing methods of the organic materials. These attributes allow for low cost roll-to-roll production onto lightweight plastic substrates with potential for simpler installation in traditional implementation settings as well as employment in unique applications afforded by their thin film flexible characteristics. While flexibility is critical to the success of organic solar cells, there has been limited research into the mechanical properties of the active layer of these devices. The proposed research aims to investigate the mechanical properties of the active layer of organic solar cells.

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DESIGN OF A NEW MARS MINI-ROVER

National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)(10/17/11 - 2/29/12)

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DESIGN OF A NEW MARS MINI-ROVER

Sponsor: National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)

Start Date: 10/17/11

End Date: 2/29/12

Abstract

Professor Zikry will be teaching the Mechanical Engineering Senior Design Class at NCSU this fall. These funds will be used to sponsor 4-5 teams of 4 students each, who will work on small scale robots that could be carried and deployed off from a larger platform. These robots should seek to access some form of extreme terrain that might be found on Mars. Examples include, but are not limited to crater walls, lava tubes, subsurface water flows. Specifically, the money will be used as the team's hardware budgets, allowing them to buy motors, sensors, and electronics for their projects. The students will be required to make a final presentation on their efforts.

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ONR Proposal

US Navy-Office Of Naval Research(6/01/11 - 9/30/15)

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ONR Proposal

Sponsor: US Navy-Office Of Naval Research

Start Date: 6/01/11

End Date: 9/30/15

Abstract

In the proposed research, new three-dimensional crystalline dislocation-density based plasticity formulations will be used with grain-boundary (GB) kinematic interfacial schemes, new void nucleation and growth formulations, specialized computational models, and experimental measurements to predict how failure initiates and how it evolves, as transgranular or intergranular modes, to complete rupture in high strength steels, such as HSLA 100, dual-phase steels, and bainitic steels. This methodology will be used to determine how dislocation densities evolve and accumulate on different slip-systems in polycrystalline aggregates representative of high strength steels that will account for combinations of f.c.c. parent and b.c.c. habit planes that is physically representative of high strength steel alloys.

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Microstructurally Based Prediction of High Strain Failure Modes in Crystalline Solids

US Army - Army Research Office(7/23/12 - 1/22/16)

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Microstructurally Based Prediction of High Strain Failure Modes in Crystalline Solids

Sponsor: US Army - Army Research Office

Start Date: 7/23/12

End Date: 1/22/16

Abstract

New computational methods have been proposed to predict failure modes at spatial scales ranging from the nano to the micro level for high strain-rate applications

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Consortium for Advanced Simulations for Light Water Reactors (CASL) - Oak Ridge National laboratory

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(11/30/-1 - 9/30/19)

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Consortium for Advanced Simulations for Light Water Reactors (CASL) - Oak Ridge National laboratory

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 11/30/-1

End Date: 9/30/19

Abstract

The Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors, CASL, supports the broad national missions of enabling energy independence; supporting economic growth through the offering of superior technology ; and being good stewards of the environment, buy enabling predictive simulation of nuclear power plants. Such capability will make possible power uprates, lifetime extension and higher fuel burnups for currently operating and new Generation III+ nuclear power plants.

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Development of Multi-layer Aluminum Alloys for Armor

US Army(11/30/-1 - 5/09/13)

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Development of Multi-layer Aluminum Alloys for Armor

Sponsor: US Army

Start Date: 11/30/-1

End Date: 5/09/13

Abstract

Professor M.A. Zikry at North Carolina State University has been researching the microstructural characteristics and mechanisms that dominate the behavior of aluminum armor at strain rates that span the quasi-static to high strain-rates (106/s). This research has recently focused on the 2139-T8 alloy produced by Alcan. Specifically, new microstructurally based finite element models have been developed in conjunction with material characterization and MD simulations to obtain detailed predictions of how aluminum alloys behave under high rates of strain. The research has sought to quantify the interrelated physical scales, compositions, and crystallographic orientations for Al 2139-T8 alloys based on accounting for the effects of precipitates, dispersed particles, grain size, morphology, orientation, and GB orientations and structures. The predictions have been used to understand how texture, dislocation/density evolution, large strain plasticity can be coupled to failure due to blast and impact.

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Sound and Electromagnetic Interacting Waves

US Navy-Office Of Naval Research(8/01/10 - 6/30/17)

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Sound and Electromagnetic Interacting Waves

Sponsor: US Navy-Office Of Naval Research

Start Date: 8/01/10

End Date: 6/30/17

Abstract

This project will develop the basic science of acoustic and electromagnetic interactions leading to the engineering of new sensors that can exploit the knowledge that these interactions provide about the environment. Stand-off probing of surface and buried objects using acoustic probes is complicated by the poor knowledge of nonlinear and diffusive acoustic effects. Great insights, including differentiation of objects, can be obtained by exploiting nonlinear acoustic interactions and by exploiting long-tail effects resulting from acoustic diffusion inside an object. The overall concept is to develop the fundamental knowledge enabling the development of a tricorder-like device for interrogating the environment thus contributing to total situational awareness

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