Design, analysis, problem-solving, and innovative applications.
Carbon fiber-reinforced composites (FRCs) are renowned for their excellent strength-to-weight ratio and electrical properties, making them the material of choice in the aerospace and automotive industries. Analyzing and optimizing the mechanical properties of FRCs is crucial for reducing aircraft weight and improving fuel efficiency.
For over four years, I have led and contributed to research at the Utah Composites Laboratory, focusing on the geometric structure and mechanical optimization of FRCs. My efforts have resulted in the filing of a provisional patent for an optimized FRC design and a first-author paper in submission.
The main mode of failure in carbon FRCs in aircraft is due to compressive forces. Here, I have developed a genetic algorithm that optimizes the geometry of carbon fibers to enhance compressive strength. The resulting design increases the critical buckling load of carbon fibers by over 40% compared to traditional circular fibers.
Paper Submission
Double cantilever beam tests are used to measure the fracture toughness in a particular material. I developed a computer vision algorithm to provide fracture displacement metrics as a function of time.
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Extracting fiber locations and other geometrical metrics within a fiber reinforced composite is important for its analysis. In this project, I developed a workflow that utilized X-ray tomographic images of a specific FRC specimen and outputted the 3-D geometry of the fibers within the composite.
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This project culminated in a fully-functioning drone. All electronics and materials purchased separately and assembled in my home workshop.
Page in construction