Award
2020 Air Force Young Investigator Award Winner (Office of Scientific Research)
Department
Charles Edward Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Awarded Project
High-Temperature Polymer Matrix Composites Design through Sensitivity Analyses of Microstructures
Maryam Shakiba is studying high-temperature polymer matrix composites design through sensitivity analyses of microstructures. Structures are constantly exposed to conditions, such as temperature fluctuation, relative humidity, chloride, liquid flow, erosion, scouring, and oxidative aging, that can degrade and change material properties. Shakiba's primary research focuses on how conditions impact materials and structures. She uses theoretical and computation mechanics to explore the links between the composition, microstructure, and performance of complex materials under different intense environmental and mechanical loadings, in order to help design new resilient and sustainable structures.
What path did you take to get to this point in your career and research?
I have been working on composite materials since my Ph.D. I have been part of diverse research groups in civil and aerospace engineering, working with different composite materials under various detrimental conditions. This has allowed me to develop a broad perspective and professional network, which has led me to find my own interesting, unique, and novel problem to solve.
What impact do you hope your research will have?
My research impacts the field of materials and additive manufacturing engineering. This project aims to elucidate the effects of high temperature on initiation of cracks and accumulation of damage in additively manufactured discontinuous fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites (DFR-PMC). These composites are light and durable and are anticipated for high-temperature applications in aeronautical components such as nacelles, fan cases, or engine compressor stages. DFR-PMCs provide design flexibility in molding while reducing weight and cost, improving fuel efficiency, and decreasing emissions. The ultimate objective is to leverage the newly gained fundamental understanding of the behavior of composites to design new, reliable, and multifunctional materials for different engineering applications.
What do you find most interesting about your field of engineering?
Civil engineering, and mainly the mechanics of materials, is what I enjoy very much. Materials are everywhere in our lives, in our infrastructure, and all the technology that we use. I enjoy using math and physics principles to design novel materials for a better and advanced future.
If you had one piece of advice to give students that aspire to pursue research and are just starting their journey, what would you share with them?
Be open to ideas and explore!