The long-term goal of the research is to develop an economical manufacturing method producing large-area superhydrophobic (SHPo) surfaces for hydrodynamic drag reduction (DR) by utilizing spontaneous 3-dimensional (3D) structure generation in roll coating of viscoelastic composite polymer. SHPo surfaces featured by 3D topographical structures are studied as a superior DR technology. While there is a spray-type product that coats a layer of random 3D geometry, it was found that the periodic linear grating structures provide superior DR performance stability. However, the high cost of producing large-area SHPo surfaces with periodic grating structure by the lithography-based micro-fabrication is still an obstacle to practical implementation. To address this challenge, we propose to utilize an inexpensive and scalable roll coating method producing the linear grates by the ribbing instability, which are spontaneously generated on the polymer surface due to the shear stress applied by the rollers. The specific objectives for the long-term goal are (1) to test the hypothesis that linear ribbing can be obtained near the instability onset condition predicted by a theoretical model and observed for the different manufacturing processes for polymer composites, and (2) to establish the fundamental knowledge of the relationship between the roll coating process conditions, the micro-grating structure geometry, and the DR efficiency.

This effort will be focused on a multiscale modeling effort related to teh behavior of crystallin ematerials. The PI will collaborate with researchers from Los Alamos to model defects that span different time and spatial scales.

NCSU's effort wil be on developing algorithms for the detection of buried objects by the use of electro-maganetic-mechanical computational approaches.

We will model the failure behavior of zircaloys subjected to extreme changes in load and temperature.

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.

Humanitarian demining will be advanced by exploiting a new sensing modality based on magnetically induced vibrations of small metallic parts. An alternating or pulsed magnetic field induces vibrations of structures containing diamagnetic and paramagnetic materials. If these materials are conductive then the primary mechanism driving vibrations is the induction of eddy currents and subsequent Lorentz forces. While the physics is known, the analytic modeling is intractable which affects the ability to optimize a vibration-enhanced underground sensing system (VENUS). The main problem addressed in this proposal is researching a working mathematical model of a complex interacting system involving multiple physics, multiple scales, and multiple analysis domains. This project will explore the abstraction levels necessary to achieve usable multi-physics simulations of magnetically induced mechanical vibrations accounting for different material types, ageing effects, construction variability, and the effect of different soil types.

This research project will develop a thermo-mechanical model of the Electron Beam Melting process that will predict how the process parameters will affect the resulting microstructure and potential defects that are formed during the process. The model will be validated via experiments and the resulting microstructures will be analyzed by our collaborators. The experiments will be using different speed function and the resulting microstructures and defects will be analyzed. The goal of the project is to finally fabricate a complex geometry where the properties and microstructures can be predicted by the developed thermo-mechanical model.

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

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.

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.