Mechanical Response of Composites in the Presence of an Electromagnetic Field

Olesya Zhupanska, Leader

      Future technological advancements depend to a great extent on the ability to optimize existing materials and to utilize special properties of new materials in multifunctional capacities.  There is a need for materials that are capable of providing at least one additional function or adapting their performance in accordance to changes in the operating environment. In particular, advanced composite materials present reach possibilities for enhancing their performance by coupling structural capabilities with electrical, magnetic, or thermal functions. 

      Existing experimental evidence suggests that exposure of a fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite material to an electromagnetic field leads to changes in the material's strength and resistance to damage. The goal of this project is to elucidate the mechanisms that contribute to these phenomena. The project is focused on dynamic testing of fiber reinforced composites in presence of an electric current and development of analytical and numerical models describing composite response in the presence of the electromagnetic field.

      The work is supported by Air Force and done in close collaboration with AFRL/MN.