Dr. Pruthul Kokkada Ravindranath, a postdoctoral research scientist at Baylor University in the Scientific Innovations in Complex Engineering Materials group within the Mechanical Engineering department, will give a seminar titled "From Atoms to Airplanes: A Multi-scale Approach to Investigate and Optimize the Multifunctional Properties of Composite Materials."

Abstract: Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites demonstrate outstanding mechanical properties and chemical resistance. Their low density-to-strength ratios drive their rapid demand across almost every industry today. However, their secondary functions remain sensitive to multiple length scales, such as out-of-plane mechanical strength, enhanced thermal resistance, and electrical conductivity, remains essential. Since no single material perfectly suits all applications, there is a strong need to optimize such materials’ multifunctional properties at each length scale while striving for manufacturing ease and material tailorability. This talk will center on investigating the multifunctional properties of primarily polymer-based composite materials employing a hierarchical multiscale approach. Starting from the presenter’s early work on the atomic-scale study of enhancing compressive strength of CFRPs on the introduction of nanofillers at the interphase between the fiber and the matrix, using molecular dynamics simulations. Next, a discussion of recent work by the presenter involving both experimental and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) characterization techniques to investigate CFRPs, where a novel ultrasound testing methods was developed to study barely visible impact damages on CFRPs as a function of depth. Finally, the presenter will share how the NDE data was used to develop a mesoscale finite element damage model for structural testing simulation. The results presented show a good agreement between the predicted fiber-matrix failure and delamination within the finite element framework to the same results obtained with Digital Image Correlation (DIC).

Biography: Dr. Pruthul Kokkada Ravindranath is a postdoctoral research scientist at Baylor University in the Scientific Innovations in Complex Engineering Materials group within the Mechanical Engineering department. He obtained his PhD in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Alabama in 2017, focusing on the atomic-scale study of carbon-based materials. After his doctoral graduation he served as a graduate faculty at the University of Alabama until 2020. Funded by the US Army and having developed patented technologies certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), his research interests span across multiple length scale study of advanced composite materials using a closely coupled experimental and theoretical approach. His work has applications in the aerospace, mechanical and materials industries.