The objective of this work is to enable new designs of advanced composite structures leveraging computational techniques, specifically molecular dynamics simulations (MD) and the finite element method…

The University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML) has been awarded a $179,941 federal grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to enable new designs of advanced composite structures. The objective of this research project is to leverage computational techniques, specifically molecular dynamics simulations and finite element analysis, to optimize the manufacturing process of fiber-reinforced composite materials across hierarchical length scales. This work aligns with NASA's Vision 2040 roadmap and the Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) approach, and is a collaboration between UML and Michigan Technological University. The grant does not have a set-aside designation.

The objective of this work is to enable new designs of advanced composite structures leveraging computational techniques, specifically molecular dynamics simulations (MD) and the finite element method (FEM), to optimize the manufacturing process of fiber reinforced materials across hierarchical length scales. This approach has the potential to transform the design and manufacturing of future advanced thermoset composites and drastically reduce time and cost of engineering structural design. This project is inspired by the NASA vision 2040 roadmap to drive significant progress in the development of aerospace components and systems integrating efforts in computational mechanics, testing and optimal data management. The scope of this project also closely aligns with the integrated computational materials engineering (icme) approach and the materials genome initiative (MGI). This work is a collaboration between the mechanical engineering departments at the university of massachusetts lowell (UML) and michigan technological university (MTU) that cooperatively provide experience in computational mechanics, virtual manufacturing of composites, and molecular modeling of thermoset resins.