Structural Properties of Structural Properties of NanocompositesNanocomposites

Mike Vogel, KIPP: Mike Vogel, KIPP: Houston High SchoolHouston High School

A&M Advisors: Dr. A&M Advisors: Dr. Dimitris Lagoudas, Dr. Dimitris Lagoudas, Dr. Daniel Davis, Patrick Daniel Davis, Patrick Klein, Jeff Cowley, Klein, Jeff Cowley, Lesley WeitzLesley Weitz

Aerospace EngineeringAerospace Engineering

Design and develop airborne vehicles Design and develop airborne vehicles Applications can extend to transit vehicles and Applications can extend to transit vehicles and

carscars Focuses include Aerodynamics & Fluids, Focuses include Aerodynamics & Fluids,

Materials & Structures, Dynamics & ControlMaterials & Structures, Dynamics & Control

Materials and StructuresMaterials and Structures

Some terms in the area of materials and Some terms in the area of materials and structures:structures:

1.1. Stress – force applied per unit of areaStress – force applied per unit of area

2.2. Strain – deformation caused by stressStrain – deformation caused by stress

3.3. Modulus – ratio of stress to strainModulus – ratio of stress to strain

4.4. Elasticity – tendency to recover from stressElasticity – tendency to recover from stress

Research at A&MResearch at A&M

Shape Memory Shape Memory Alloys – alloys that Alloys – alloys that can recover their can recover their shape after stressshape after stress

Carbon Nanotubes –Carbon Nanotubes –cylindrical carbon cylindrical carbon molecules that are molecules that are strong and strong and lightweightlightweight

Carbon NanotubesCarbon Nanotubes

Cylindrical carbon Cylindrical carbon latticelattice

Can be single- or Can be single- or multi-walledmulti-walled

Strong and Strong and lightweightlightweight

High thermal and High thermal and electrical conductivityelectrical conductivity

NanocompositesNanocomposites

Composite of nanotube Composite of nanotube and matrix materialand matrix material

Research explores how Research explores how their properties can their properties can improve the properties of improve the properties of the matrix materialthe matrix material

Laminate between Laminate between carbonfibercarbonfiber

Epoxy BeamEpoxy BeamEpoxy BeamEpoxy Beam

0.15% weight0.15% weight High surface area to High surface area to volumevolume

E3 Research – How do E3 Research – How do Nanocomposites Compare?Nanocomposites Compare?

Experiments on nanocomposite beam (Ali Jafry)Experiments on nanocomposite beam (Ali Jafry) How does Modulus compare to other materials?How does Modulus compare to other materials? Mathematical models calculating shear, Mathematical models calculating shear,

displacement, etc.displacement, etc. Focus on Differential EquationsFocus on Differential Equations

Example of Set of Diff Example of Set of Diff Eq’sEq’s

Chain of equations to Chain of equations to solve displacement solve displacement from forcefrom force

8 equations with 8 8 equations with 8 unknownsunknowns

Solutions to come Solutions to come from boundary from boundary conditionsconditions

Calculus in the Real-Calculus in the Real-WorldWorld

HS curriculum focuses on the connecting HS curriculum focuses on the connecting acceleration, velocity, and displacementacceleration, velocity, and displacement

Little use is made of differential equationsLittle use is made of differential equations Little mention of other applications (Work, Little mention of other applications (Work,

Momentum, Energy)Momentum, Energy)

Forward ThinkingForward Thinking

Students use concepts such as Summation Students use concepts such as Summation Forces, Shear, and Moments to determine Forces, Shear, and Moments to determine displacementsdisplacements

Students will see how changing initial Students will see how changing initial conditions changes the equations and conditions changes the equations and ultimately the displacementsultimately the displacements

Equations will depend on Force applied, as Equations will depend on Force applied, as well as materialwell as material

Work in conjunction with Physics classWork in conjunction with Physics class