Modeling and simulation of materials and structures with special mechanical properties

• Grant number: 23/02651-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: January 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Alexandre Fontes da Fonseca
• Grantee: Alexandre Fontes da Fonseca
• Host Investigator: Chiara Daraio
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin (IFGW). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: California Institute of Technology, United States

Abstract

It is known that the properties of materials are directly related to their chemical composition and their micro and nanostructures. In general, man-made materials and structures are formed by combinations of periodic networks and/or geometric patterns. These materials are called regular or regular micro and nanostructures. However, the scientists' perception that the microstructure of many natural systems is not formed by regular networks or periodic and/or geometric patterns gave rise to a new line of research for new materials with special properties. In particular, research into the fundamentals and rules by which so-called irregular systems, i. e., irregular micro and/or nanostructures, culminate in special properties has gained attention and prominence in science. Another common concept regarding materials is the constancy of their mechanical properties. Researchers are developing new structures whose mechanical properties can vary and be controlled by external factors. This project consists of the study, modeling and computational simulation of special mechanical properties of new structures and materials, based on the idea of irregular (micro and/or nano) structures and materials that can have their properties controlled externally. The host of this project is one of the pioneers in the study of these special materials such as, for example, materials that harden under pressure, composites of biological material and systems with programmable properties. Articles about this have been published in high impact journals such as Science and Nature, which demonstrates the importance that is being given to this research topic. Analytical and computational theoretical methods will be used to model and predict the properties of these systems in different size scales. (AU)