Friday, September 30 • 2:30 PM – UTEB, Rm. 175

Design for Discovery: Structural Shape & Topology Optimization with a Level Set Approach

Shikui Chen

Professor of Mechanical Engineering State University of New York at Stony Brook

Abstract: Topology optimization is an optimization-driven methodology which is capable of generating an optimal design without depending on the designers’ intuition, experience and inspiration. Topology optimization plays a crucial and rapidly expanding role in conceptual design and innovation, especially in automotive, aerospace and machine industries. In this talk, the speaker will make a brief review of the state of the art and introduce a level-set based topology optimization framework. In the level set framework, the boundary of the design is implicitly represented as the zero level set of a one-higher-dimensional level set function. Embedding the design in one higher dimension allows the flexibility in topological changes such as boundary merging or splitting in the design process, while keeping the boundary of the design clearly defined. After that, the speaker will report some of our recent effort to advance the level-set based topology optimization both in methodology and in applications. Selected topics include a variational distance- regularized parametric level set method, distributed compliant mechanisms synthesis, multi-physics energy harvester design, robust shape and topology optimization (RSTO) under uncertainty, and integrated design and additive manufacturing of heterogeneous mechanical metamaterials.

Biographical Sketch: Professor Shikui Chen is an Assistant Professor at the State University of New York, Stony Brook since 2013. He earned his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University in 2010. Dr. Chen’s research interests are in the area of predictive science based design optimization, particularly in the fields of structural shape and topology optimization, geometric modeling with level set methods, multiphysics simulation, PDE-constrained optimization, and simulation-based design under uncertainty. His research work has been funded by government and industry grants including National Science Foundation (NSF), University Transportation Research Center (UTRC), Ford Motor Company, Stratasys and SUNY Materials and Advanced Manufacturing Network of Excellence. Dr. Chen is a member of ASME and AIAA. He was the recipient of the ASME Compliant Mechanisms Theory Award in the ASME 31st Mechanisms and Robotics Conference in 2007.

For additional information, please contact Prof. Ying Li at (860)486-7110, yingli@engr.uconn.edu or Laurie Hockla at (860)486-2189, hockla@engr.uconn.edu.

Abstract: Materials used in energy conversion and storage devices are often subjected to multi-field driving forces (electrical, chemical, radiological, thermal, mechanical, etc.). In predicting the deformation and failure of these materials, conventional mechanics of material theories are no longer adequate, because these multi- field driving forces are typically coupled and produce synergetic effects that are not predicted by the classical theories. To fully understand how the different driving forces interact requires theories and models that are capable of accounting for the coupling of multi-field interaction processes. 

In this talk, a theory for the mechanics of solids will be presented that accounts for the coupled effects of mechanical, electrical and chemical driving forces. The presentation will begin with an introduction of the general framework of the electro-chemo-mechanics, followed by examples of its applications to solid oxide fuel cells and Li-ion batteries. Finally, path-independent integrals in electro-chemo-mechanics will be discussed.

Biographical Sketch: Jianmin Qu is Karol Family Professor and Dean of School of Engineering at Tufts University, where he holds an appointment in the department of Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Qu received his Ph.D. and Master’s degrees from Northwestern University in theoretical and applied mechanics. Prior to joining Tufts, Dr. Qu was a Walter P. Murphy Professor in the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University from 2009 to 2015. Before returning to his alma mater in 2009, Dr. Qu was on the faculty of the School of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology from 1989 to 2009.

Professor Qu’s research focuses on several areas of theoretical and applied mechanics including micromechanics of composites, interfacial fracture and adhesion, fatigue and creep damage in solder alloys, thermomechanical reliability of microelectronic packaging, defects and transport in solids with applications to solid oxide fuel cells and batteries, and ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation of advanced engineering materials. He has authored/co-authored two books, 12 book chapters and over 200 referred journal papers in these areas. 

For additional information, please contact Prof. Ying Li at (860)486-7110, yingli@engr.uconn.edu or Laurie Hockla at (860)486-2189, hockla@engr.uconn.edu.