Finite Element Method
Enriched field interpolation schemes in finite element in general and its application in spectral finite element method for modeling high frequency elastic wave propagation development of eXtended finite element scheme in time and frequency domains with higher-order spatial field interpolations are being developed. Modeling high frequency elastic wave propagation in complex geometries with discontinuities like cracks, phase change, fluid-solid interface and nonlinear dynamic response of materials have remained challenging problems. Partial wave field enrichment method is one by which frequency or time domain spectral finite element schemes can be employed to complex geometries in a mesh-less or mesh-independent manner.
Impact Dynamics and Shock Wave
Multiscale modeling of fracture and fragmentation under high velocity / high strain rate loading conditions development of methods and computational schemes to deal with complex fracture and fragmentation process such that various experimental test and validation requirements in terms of material property, size and geometric features can be reduced significantly. Accordingly, systematic test and evaluation procedure also need to be developed. Impact and shock load mitigation strategies can be derived based on understanding gained by such simulations.
Fatigue, Creep and Defects in Materials
Multiscale modeling to predict fatigue damage initiation and failure behavior in structural components involving material processing effects, micro/nano-scale structural effects, phase transition and defects, thermo-mechanical loading conditions etc. are being developed. Testing and validation of simulation approaches across various categories of materials are important aspects considered here. The overall aim is to integrate the simulation scheme with material specific models and material property data in order to establish generalized simulation framework. Defects in nanomaterial based composite structures also have important application in designing materials that have enhanced fatigue response. Modeling various important phenomena in materials in the above context are of interest.
Integrated Computational Material Engineering (ICME)
Quantum-Molecular Dynamic Coupled Multiscale Modeling of mechanical/electronic materials computational schemes that would be able to capture electromagnetic and thermo-mechanical deformation processes simultaneously are of interests. Applications are in laser-material processing, imaging with spectroscopy and associated diagnostic technique developments to study and evaluate materials.
Modeling and Simulation of Bio-Systems
Although bio-systems level simulation for bio-mimetic design or study of biology is an extremely challenging and emerging field, our current research effort is focused on a smaller subset of problems, such as, modeling bio-material response involving deformation, transport and regulatory pathways. Our interest here is to develop coupled multiphysics model explaining various phenomena in biomaterials, for example, cell lysis, electro-kinetic transport in cells and tissues, delivery/assembly of molecular materials. Simulation based understanding could enable designing better or synthetic biomaterials; on-chip evaluation of new bio-inspired materials and their functions; understanding sensory and signaling pathways in bio-molecular systems. Mathematical models developed in such effort, which are capable of predicting biological sensing and regulation processes could be adopted in designing sensing and control systems in some of our engineering problems.