Recent NSF and Industrial Funding Supports Work in Experimental Mechanics Laboratory

The Experimental Mechanics Laboratory received a research award of $301K from the National Science Foundation (NSF, Award No. 2035663) to study the effect of density gradation and the auxetic behavior of elastomeric foams. This investigation will advance the state-of-the-art in biomechanical impact mitigation and protection, potentially eradicating concussion. The foam technology is homegrown here at San Diego State University, which was invented by our alumnus (Nathan Reed, BS '15 and MS'18), while the process of converting the foam into an auxetic foam was developed by another alumnus (Aryan Blourchian, BS'17). In collaboration with Dr. Behard Koohbor of Rowan University, this new NSF award will enable researchers at both universities to exchange expertise to advanced mechanics of auxetic cellular solids. We will develop a hybrid experimental/computational approach to uncover and reveal the time-dependent behavior of elastomeric foams (conventional and auxetic). At the SDSU, Yazeed Kokash (the newest addition to EML, pursuing his Ph.D.) will be leading the synthesis, conversion, characterization, modeling, and analysis efforts.

 

Monolithic and multilayer organo-metallic blanket films provide several functionalities in several industrial sectors, including corrective glasses, structural windows, and aircraft transparencies. The composite nature of these multilayer structures plays a major role in their performance. Therefore, the Experimental Mechanics Laboratory received a research cooperative agreement from PPG Aerospace Inc. (the leading aircraft transparencies manufacturer) worth $35K to understand the interplay between the mechanical properties of the films and their mechanical performance. To answer this question, we are using some of the world-class experimental facilities available at EML to interrogate the multilayer organo-metallic blanket film structures.