NCSI: Simulations of Carbon Nanotube Polymer Composites for Strain and Damage Sensing

Status	Completed
Mentor Name	Jun Li
Mentor's XSEDE Affiliation	Research Allocation
Mentor Has Been in XSEDE Community	Less than 1 year
Project Title	Simulations of Carbon Nanotube Polymer Composites for Strain and Damage Sensing
Summary	This project will conduct finite element (FE) simulations to predict coupled electro-mechanical responses of carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced polymer composites for strain and damage sensing applications. Realistic representative volume element (RVE) based on measurable microstructure information will be constructed, and the response will be simulated by concurrent electrical and mechanical FE analyses with the goal of exploring strain and damage sensing capabilities.
Job Description	The student will learn and apply advanced FE simulation features of contact and constraints, coupled electro-mechanical analysis, and damage simulations The student will analyze statistical information of the microstructure and build up 3D realistic representative volume element models from it The student will develop user elements to model the electrical contact between nanotubes to account for quantum tunneling effects The student will use developed FE models to explore studies in strain and damage sensing applications The position requires some background in finite element modeling and simulations, as well as some programming skills in Python, Fortran, or Matlab. The student will gain valuable computational skills in multiphysics FE simulations and user element development. The work will be used to explore strain and damage sensing in carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites.
Computational Resources	We will use XSEDE Comet and superMIC to perform FE simulations of carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites.
Contribution to Community
Position Type	Apprentice
Training Plan	The student should have finite element background from prior studies. Training on advanced FE features of contact and constraints, coupled electro-mechanical analysis, and damage simulations will be provided to students through tutorial examples and one-on-one meetings.
Student Prerequisites/Conditions/Qualifications	Must have finite element modeling background, and programming skills in Python, Fortran, or Matlab to develop user elements.
Duration	Summer
Start Date	05/20/2019
End Date	08/20/2019