Project Description

This multidisciplinary project addresses salinity intrusion in key global navigable ocean routes, which is a critical issue affecting drinking water supplies and maritime economic routes. A postdoctoral researcher will join our dynamic team, integrating expertise in mechanical architected metamaterials, structural mechanics, and both computational and experimental fluid mechanics. The focus will be on stratified water systems, where the mixing of salt and fresh water presents both significant challenges and opportunities.

We will develop innovative architected metamaterials for deployable mega-structures designed to control water purity. The complexity of this large-scale projects requires a multidisciplinary approach, combining fluid and structural mechanics, active control systems, and studies under extreme underwater conditions. The project also includes viability studies and socio-economic impact assessments, in collaboration with national and international entities. This research not only aims to address a critical water problem but also seeks to enhance the economic stability of maritime routes, potentially transforming global trade and resource management.

Start Date

January 2025

Postdoc Qualifications

We seek a highly motivated and talented postdoctoral researcher to join our interdisciplinary research team. The successful candidate will contribute to advancing our research in the design, development, manufacturing, testing, and analysis of architected materials and fluid mechanics, including experimental and computational fluid mechanics. This position offers the opportunity to work on groundbreaking projects with significant real-world impact.

Qualifications

Educational Background: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction, Aerospace Engineering, or closely related fields.

Technical Skills
- Strong background in fluid, solid, and/or structural mechanics.
- Experience with computational modeling is preferred.
- Experience with 3D printing and experimental characterization of materials and/or fluids is a plus.

Professional Skills
- Strong organizational, written, and verbal skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Research Interests:  Interest and ability to combine elements of mechanics, theory, computational techniques and engineering in their research.

Co-advisors

Cary Troy, Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering
Pablo Zavattieri, Lyles School of Civil and Construction Engineering

Bibliography

[1] D. Restrepo, N.D. Mankame, P.D. Zavattieri, "Phase Transforming Cellular Materials", Extreme Mechanics Letters, 4, pp. 52-60 2015.
[2] Y. Zhang, D. Restrepo, M. Velay-Lizancos, N.D. Mankame & P. D. Zavattieri, “Energy dissipation in functionally two-dimensional phase transforming cellular materials”, Scientific Reports, 9:12581, 2019.
[3] Y. Zhang, D. Restrepo, M. Velay-Lizancos, N. D. Mankame, P. D. Zavattieri, “Temperature and stress-induced recovery in phase transforming cellular materials”, Matter, 4 (6), pp. 1990-2012, 2021.
[4] D. Restrepo, N.D. Mankame and P.D. Zavattieri , “Programmable materials based on periodic cellular solids. Part I: Experiments”, International Journal of Solids and Structures, 100-101, pp. 485–504, 2016.