Welcome to the Structural Metallic Materials Group
The Structural Metallic Materials Group, supervised by Prof. David C. Dunand, focuses on the mechanical metallurgy of advanced metallic alloys, composites and foams. Concurrent research also addresses advanced processing techniques (e.g., to fabricate novel composites and foams) and microstructure characterization (e.g., to link the observed microstructure to the measured mechanical properties). In terms of applications, the main research thrust is on light and/or heat-resistant metals for energy-efficient transportation (metallic composites and foams; aluminum-, titanium-, iron-, nickel-, cobalt- and copper-based alloys). Another important research topic is mechanics of mineralized biomaterials (bone and tooth).
Research Highlights
Educational videogame, Aluminoid
We have just released another educational videogame, Aluminoid - associated with a DoE project on aluminum: check the website here. Isaac Brown, a Computer Science and Music undergraduate student working with the Dunand lab and the designer of this game, released a YouTube video demonstrating it: check the video here!
Dunand Project Receives DOE Funding to Reduce Industrial Emissions
The project is receiving $500,000 from the DOE's Advanced Manufacturing Office. -source
Freeze-cast iron lamellar foams
Sam received third place and also an honorable mention in Class 4 Artistic Microscopy (Color) in the 2021 International Metallographic Contest from ASM International for two of his micrographs of freeze-cast iron lamellar foams (research supported by the National Science Foundation). Congrats, Sam!
3D ink-extrusion additive manufacturing of CoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy micro-lattices
Christoph and David's work with colleagues from Swiss Light Source at Paul Scherrer Institut on 3D printing of CoCrFeNi was recently published in Nature Communications; read the open-access article here!
Mechanical properties of meteoritic Fe-Ni alloys for in-situ extraterrestrial structures
Congratulations to Aaron Ahles, who just graduated with a BS degree, for his paper in Acta Astronautica: Mechanical properties of meteoritic Fe-Ni alloys for in-situ extraterrestrial structures. The full article can be accessed here!
3D Printed Iron and Nickel scaffolds
Shannon and David's work with colleagues in the Shah group on 3D printed iron and nickel scaffolds was recently featured on the cover of Advanced Engineering Materials. The full article can be accessed here along with supplementary materials available here!
3-D Printing Metals and Alloys
A news article featuring research conducted by group member Shannon Taylor (co-advised with Ramille Shah) and Adam Jakus (Shah Group) has been featured on the McCormick news website! The full article: "A New Way to Print 3-D Metals and Alloys" can be found here.