Kazi Billah, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
This project aims to develop advanced aerospace structures by leveraging additive manufacturing techniques to produce thermoplastic composites embedded with metal wires. The integration of metal reinforcement within a thermoplastic matrix is expected to enhance mechanical properties such as strength, stiffness, and impact resistance while maintaining the lightweight characteristics essential for aerospace applications. By combining these materials through a custom-made material extrusion AM machine, the project seeks to overcome traditional manufacturing limitations and deliver complex, high-performance structural components. The project will focus on optimizing the distribution, orientation, and bonding of the metal wires within the thermoplastic matrix to achieve the desired mechanical performance. Experimental testing will be conducted to understand the mechanical properties, durability, and reliability of the composite under operational stresses. The research will provide a fundamental understanding of the synergistic effects between metal reinforcements and thermoplastic matrices. This project combines expertise in materials science, additive manufacturing, and aerospace engineering, offering valuable insights for future research and potential scholarly publication.
Researcher Interest and Skills:
This project is best suited for a student interested in 3D Printing, mechanical design, and the applications of aerospace structures. The student should have skills in CAD (SolidWorks or Fusion 360) and some coursework including statistics, Materials Science, and Solid Mechanics (preferred but not required).