Seminar Schedule – Fall 2015

Thursday, October 8, 2015
Time: 3:30-5:00
Place: WRW 102

Structural Testing at the Micro and Nano Scales: Breaking Invisible Specimens with Zero Force

Roberto Ballarini – University of Houston

I will describe how a bunch of clever and hardworking students and research associates have pioneered the use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) platforms to measure the mechanical response of materials and structures at the micro and nano scales. Selected examples include measurements of strength, toughness, high cycle and static fatigue of brittle MEMS materials, the strength, ultimate strain capacity and viscoelastic response of individual collagen fibrils, and the fracture energy of the carbon nanotube-epoxy matrix interface. A brief description of several the theoretical and computational models that were inspired by the experimental observations will also be presented.

For further information, please contact Dr. Greg Rodin at gjr@ices.utexas.edu or (512) 471-4230.