Mechanical Engineering
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Contact the Mechanical Engineering Department

Email:
ceias​@nau.edu
Call:
928-523-5251

Solid mechanics research

NAU Mechanical Engineering research projects

Our research in solid mechanics includes a variety of techniques (experimental, computational, and theoretical) and materials (polymers, metals, composites, magnetically active materials, biomaterials). Details on some of our research projects in solid mechanics are described below. Please contact the lead faculty to learn more about any of our research projects.

Project abstracts

Multifunctional Carbon Fiber Composites Accordion Closed

Lead: Cornel Ciocanel 
Keywords: Power storage, supercapacitor, lightweight, structural

This research is focused on the development of a carbon fiber based composite material with power storage capability. Embedding supercapacitor-like power storage in structural components facilitates weight and volume reduction, as well as extended operation, for electrically powered systems (e.g. UAVs, laptop, phones, etc.).

photo of Multifunctional Carbon Fiber Composites in nau mechanical engineering research

Fracture magneto-mechanics of Ni-Mn-Ga Accordion Closed

Fracture magneto-mechanics of Ni-Mn-GaLead: Cornel Ciocanel 
Keywords: Fracture toughness, micro-indentation, crack growth

This research is focused on the fracture toughness and rate of crack growth for a Ni-Mn-Ga alloy, contributing to the comprehensive characterization of this relatively new material. The fracture toughness is investigated using micro- and nanoindentation techniques, while the crack growth rate is investigated using the pulsed current potential drop method (DCPD).

Predicting Fracture Parameters for Interface Cracks Accordion Closed

Predicting Fracture Parameters for Interface Cracks

Lead:  Ernesto Penado
Keywords:
Stress intensity factors, frictional interfacial crack, orthotropic materials, composite materials, bonded joints

Many important engineering problems involve cracks at bimaterial interfaces.  For example, crack propagation and delamination at composite ply interfaces, and the fracture of adhesively bonded joints.  Our research aims at developing novel techniques for the determination of fracture parameters at interface cracks in both conventional and advanced composite materials.

Enhancing Performance of a Precision Optical Interferometer Accordion Closed

Enhancing Performance of a Precision Optical InterferometerLead:  Ernesto Penado
Keywords: Navy Precision Optical Interferometer, optical interferometry, wavefront correction, optomechanical tracker, frequency response, finite element analysis

The Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI) in Flagstaff, Arizona uses discrete smaller telescopes spaced along a Y-array and used simultaneously to simulate an equivalent single large telescope.  Our research aims at using advanced engineering methods in order to enhance the system and achieve improved fringe contrast, sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratios, and fringe-tracking capabilities.  Ultimately, this will allow more and fainter stars to be studied and cataloged.

Multiscale mechanobiology of calcific aortic valve disease Accordion Closed

Multiscale mechanobiology of calcific aortic valve disease

Lead: Amirhossein Arzani
Keywords: structural mechanics, systems biology, growth and remodeling

In this research, we are developing spatially and temporally multiscale mechanobiology models to couple the biological and mechanical pathways involved in the progression of calcific aortic valve disease.

Plastic Deformation Accordion Closed

photo of plastic deformation

Lead: Heidi Feigenbaum
Keywords: plastic deformation, metals, cyclic loading

Plastic deformation occurs when a material is loaded beyond the elastic limit, and it is especially difficult to predict because it is highly non-linear and history dependent. This project uses models for yield surface distortion to try to improve predictions of multi-axial ratcheting, the accumulation of plastic deformation due to cyclic plastic loading. Predicting ratcheting is especially difficult because any small errors in one cycle accumulate over several cycles, and predicting ratcheting is especially important to foresee and prevent material failure in any structure subject to earthquakes, extreme weather, and/or cyclic mechanical and thermal service conditions.

Magnetic Shape Memory Alloys Accordion Closed

magnetic shape memory alloys

Lead: Heidi Feigenbaum
Keywords: adaptive materials, magnetic materials, magnetic shape memory alloys

Magnetic shape memory alloys (MSMAs) can undergo a recoverable deformation in the presence of a magnetic field or mechanical load. In this project, our group has developed several thermodynamic based models to predict the magneto-mechanical behavior of MSMAs, the most recent of which is fully three-dimensional. We are also trying to optimize use of MSMAs for various applications, most notably current work focuses on power harvesting with MSMAs.

Twisted Polymer Actuators Accordion Closed

 

photo of twisted polymer actuators

Lead: Heidi Feigenbaum and Michael Shafer
Keywords: biomimetic, artificial muscles, twisted polymer actuators, super coiled

Artificial muscle systems have the potential to impact industries ranging from advanced prosthesis to miniature robotics. Our research is developing and experimentally validating analytic models of novel, low cost, high power twisted polymer actuators that can serve as artificial muscles. The challenges associated with developing this model include the asymmetric nature of the material, the complex twisted geometry, and temperature and load variations. In addition, we have begun work towards developing new twisted polymer actuators that can serve as artificial muscles and operate more efficiently and quicker than current technologies.

Periodic Freezing of Water and Melting of Ice in Asphalt as a Porous Medium subject to Diurnal Temperature Oscillations Accordion Closed

photo of person out in the snow

Lead: Peter Vadasz
Keywords: porous medium, asphalt, periodic freezing and melting

The analysis and solution to a variation of the classical Stefan-Neumann problem of melting and solidification in a porous medium is the topic of this research. The specific novel aspect is the subjecting of the top boundary to periodic freezing and melting conditions and the application of the latter to water saturated asphalt. The anticipated results are that a sequence of chasing fronts from the surface to the interior will emerge.

Mechanical Engineering
Location
Building Building 69
Engineering
15600 S. McConnell Dr. NAU bldg. 69
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5600
Mailing Address
Northern Arizona University PO Box: 15600
Flagstaff, AZ 86001-5600
Email
CEIAS@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-2704