Research areas vid avdelningen för tillämpad mekanik
Research at the division.
Our research
The research at the division is focused on mechanics of fibrous and composite materials, wood mechanics, impact mechanics and fracture mechanics. Our research is conducted at the department, and in collaboration with industry.
Much of our research is funded by external parties such as the Swedish Research Council, Formas, the Vaasa Museum, Swedish energy agency, Tetra Pak, Rise, SCA, Hitachi Energy, SSF, Bio innovation, Vinnova, Billerud, Holmen, SCA, Stora enso, Södra, Valmet, Nordic energy research.
Here you will find some of our research areas that we are currently working on.
Computational Mechanics
We develop algorithms and theories for multiscale computer simulations of a variety of physical phenomena, including fractures and interference phenomena, crystal and gradient plasticity, diffusion and fluid-solid interactions, from the atomic scale and upwards.
Battery Mechanics
Large permanent mechanical deformations develop in electrodes at cycling, resulting in complex fractures, substantially decreasing battery performance. Through high-precision multiphysics computer simulations of battery cell microstructures, we aim to significantly extend battery lifespan and charging capacity.
Bone Dynamics
Most bone fractures originate from sudden impulses (accidents), where transient stress waves propagate into the bone, initiating high-velocity cracks that rapidly deform the internal microstructure and equilibrium is lost. Using multiscale dynamic models and ultra-high-speed X-ray imaging, we aim to understand how implants must be designed to stabilize segmental bone fractures while being in mechanical harmony with adjacent healthy bone and foster bone regeneration.
Architectured Materials
We investigate the mechanics and multiphysics of architectured materials across different scales from graphene to additively manufactured lattice materials. Using architecture in the material, tailored constitutive behavior, anisotropy, inhomogeneity, and wave motion are achieved with novel functionalities. We engineer materials for sustainability-driven innovation.
Hydrogen Embrittlement
Hydrogen embrittlement presents a significant risk to the safe transportation and storage of hydrogen, a crucial component in the transition to green energy. Our research comprehensively addresses this material challenge through advanced material characterization and multiscale modeling techniques.
Thermodynamics
By means of applied and theoretical thermodynamics, we simulate real world applications with derived material equations including coupling effects in multiphysics. Thermomechanics and electromagnetism are fused with chemical reaction and mechanical degradation (fracture).
Wood Mechanics
In order to accelerate the use of sustainable forest products, it is crucial to obtain a deeper understanding of the mechanisms taking place in wood when it is subject to environmental and/or mechanical loads. The development of compression wood in branches has shown to provide improved load carrying capacity and means to actuate branch growth. There are contributing mechanisms from the composition of the wood cells as well as the tissue structure.
Constitutive Modeling
Coupled and nonlinear materials are investigated and modeled. Actuators and sensors are especially challenging since they incorporate multiphysics and are also made by nonlinear materials. We determine their model parameters by in-house inverse analysis routines from chemical curing to piezoelectric phenomena for hyperelastic materials.
Additive Manufacturing
Sophisticated structures are possible owing to 3-D printing. We develop hardware and software solutions for pushing boundaries in polymer printing. Our research is based on more sustainable materials, specifically recycling and polymer degradation.
