Nano-composites and smart composite structures

The remarkable expansion in the use of smart materials and structures and emerging nano-composites necessitate development of accurate modeling and experimental techniques. The existing mechanical models are commonly based on some simplifications and approximations. As a result, they often lead to wrong values of the effective and local properties. Accurate calculation of these properties is essential for the refined analysis and design. The present proposal is aimed to solve these issues. It consists of analytical and experimental parts. The objectives of the analytical part are to develop and apply new mathematically accurate methods of modeling, design and optimization for the nano-composite materials and smart composite structures. That includes development of micromechanical models capable of investigating effects of microstructure and taking into account non-linearity, anisotropy, coupled fields and actuation properties. The emerging nano-composites deserve special attention. Quantum dots-based semiconductor nano-composites enable never before seen applications to science and technology. The carbon nanotubes have extraordinary mechanical properties that qualify them as the ultimate fibers ever made. In the present proposal the new rigorous micromechanical models will be developed for the quantum dots-based nano-composites and for the carbon nanotube-reinforced nano-composites. The experimental part of the present proposal will encompass fabrication and testing of novel carbon-nanotube reinforced nano-composites, and processing and testing pulturded smart composites with embedded piezoceramic fibers. New processing technology will be developed to fabricate nano-composites with optimally tailored properties. That will have significant impact on their functionality and integrity, and will enable long-term in-service structural health monitoring. The proposed research program will represent major fundamental contribution and it will generate results of a high practical importance to the Canadian industry. The major feature of this proposal is high degree of training of highly qualified personnel in the frontier area of research. In five years 4 PhD, 6 M.A.Sc and 25 undergraduate students will be trained.