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

Differentiating between intergranular and transgranular fracture in polycrystalline aggregates

Bond, D. M., & Zikry, M. A. (2018), Journal of Materials Science, 53(8), 5786–5798.

Effects of thermo-mechanical behavior and hinge geometry on folding response of shape memory polymer sheets

Mailen, R. W., Dickey, M. D., Genzer, J., & Zikry, M. (2017), Journal of Applied Physics, 122(19). https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5000040

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.

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.

Significance of randomness in establishing hotspots in crystals

Chen, M., Steer, M. B., & Zikry, M. A. (2017), In Southeastcon 2017.

A fully coupled thermo-viscoelastic finite element model for self-folding shape memory polymer sheets

Mailen, R. W., Dickey, M. D., Genzer, J., & Zikry, M. A. (2017), Journal of Polymer Science. Part B, Polymer Physics, 55(16), 1207–1219. https://doi.org/10.1002/polb.24372

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).

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. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.5b02680

Coupled infrared laser-thermo-mechanical response of RDX-PCTFE energetic aggregates

Brown, J. A., & Zikry, M. A. (2016), Computational Mechanics, 57(4), 611–628.

Dynamic fracture of aluminum-bonded composites

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

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

Modeling of Vibration-Enhanced Underground Sensing (VENUS)

US Army - Army Research Office(9/08/17 - 9/07/19)

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Modeling of Vibration-Enhanced Underground Sensing (VENUS)

Sponsor: US Army - Army Research Office

Start Date: 9/08/17

End Date: 9/07/19

Abstract

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.

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Understanding AM Solidification Profile Effects on Material Inhomogenieties, Defects, and Qualification

US Navy(6/01/17 - 12/01/17)

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Understanding AM Solidification Profile Effects on Material Inhomogenieties, Defects, and Qualification

Sponsor: US Navy

Start Date: 6/01/17

End Date: 12/01/17

Abstract

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.

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Development of a Mechanistic Hydride Behavior Model for Spent Fuel Cladding Storage and Transportation

US Dept. of Energy (DOE)(10/01/17 - 9/30/20)

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Development of a Mechanistic Hydride Behavior Model for Spent Fuel Cladding Storage and Transportation

Sponsor: US Dept. of Energy (DOE)

Start Date: 10/01/17

End Date: 9/30/20

Abstract

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

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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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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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