| Solids, Structures and Materials |
|
Experimental facilities include equipment for static structural testing; digital data acquisition equipment; uniaxial and biaxial materials-testing machines; custom loading devices; environmental chambers; microscopes; photomechanics facilities; composites processing equipment; facilities for microstructural analysis; and high-speed imaging and high strain rate mechanical testing facilities. Equipment for nano and microscale scale experiments include an atomic force microscope, an interfacial force microscope, a nano indentor, a confocal microscope and an X-ray tomography device. Computing facilities include workstations, high-performance computers, and networks of workstations. Area FacultyArea Advisor: Liechti, Kenneth Huang, Rui |
Research Spotlight: Aaron Albrecht with Faculty Advisor Dr. Ravi-Chandar
Development of New Blast Protection Safety Features Could Save Troops Abroad
As a PhD candidate working under the advisement of Professor Ravi-Chandar in the Engineering Mechanics program, Aaron Albrecht is developing a safety feature that could save the lives of thousands of troops abroad. Working on a project funded by The Office of Naval Research, Albrecht is using polyurea to improve blast protection on military vehicles, ships, and buildings. Polyurea is the rubbery substance often used as spray-in bed liner for pickup trucks. When a blast occurs, the polyurea would keep the military vehicle from blowing apart.
