Multiscale Optimization of Materials

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

The development of novel structural materials is a key component of the clean energy transformation. These materials are needed to increase the fuel efficiency of automobiles and to improve the durability of infrastructure. These needs have stimulated continued improvement of traditional materials, as well as, the emergence of new classes of materials. In parallel, advances in computer science and process automation have led to breakthroughs in the areas of additive manufacturing and machine learning. The convergence of these trends creates unprecedented opportunities to simultaneous optimize the design of components, as well as, the composition, processing and architecture of materials. Multiscale Materials Optimization addresses two key challenges in the area of materials engineering. The first is the need to understand the increasingly more complex microstructures of emerging alloys, which are often far from equilibrium. The second is to develop novel approaches, by which, heterogeneity is intentionally introduced into the material in order to obtain combinations of properties that could not be attained using "uniform" microstructures. More specifically, the program will explore ways of overcoming two constraints that would soon limit the potential for light weighting in the automotive industry. First, the limited stiffness of thin steel panels will be addressed by developing high modulus steels using an innovative surface alloying process. This unique process will reinforce the surface layer with high modulus ceramic particles, without compromising the ductility of the material at the core of the sheet. Secondly, the stagnating light weighting potential of traditional aluminum alloys will be enhanced by exploiting a recently developed precipitation process. This novel process takes advantage of the non-equilibrium conditions created by cyclic deformation leading to significant increases in the strength and ductility of aluminum alloys. The research program will also explore the development of novel energy absorbing materials through the use of honeycomb structures that have been optimized for specific mass-sensitive applications in the space and aerospace industries. Defects will be introduced into these structures to control the way in which the material deforms and absorbs energy. The program will train 2 M.Sc. students, 2 Ph.D. students and 1 post doctoral fellows at the state-of-the-art facilities of the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy and the Centre for Automotive Materials and Corrosion. The trainees will also use national and international facilities at CanmetMATERIALS and the European Synchrotron. The HQP will gain an advanced skillset in the areas of microstructure modelling, structure-property relationships and alloy design. These skills are highly sought after in the steel, aluminum, automotive and aerospace industries as these sectors look to accelerate the development and adoption of new materials.