Events Calendar

Multiscale Analysis of Multifunctional Nano- and Bio- Materials

Speaker: Vinu Unnikrishnan, Texas A&M University

Talk Title: Multiscale Analysis of Multifunctional Nano- and Bio- Materials

Abstract: An understanding of the structure-property relationships involving coupling of physics
occurring at different length and time scales are necessary for the estimation of mechanical
properties of complex nano- and bio- materials. In the first part of this talk, a multiscale
computational analysis of nano-polymers would be discussed. Nano-polymeric materials are
used in applications ranging from tissue engineering scaffolds in biomechanics to self-healing
smart materials for civil engineering structures. The mechanical characterization studies of
nano-polymers discussed in this talk involves atomistic-scale modeling of the nano-structures,
followed by a systematic and rigorous up-scaling of the mechanical properties using nonlinear
homogenization models.
In the second part of this talk, a mechano-biological computational model to analyze the
effect of varying micro-structural constituents on the mechanical behavior of breast and tumor
tissue would be presented. Since lobular density variation with age is a major risk factor in
breast carcinoma, a correlation of the change in breast density with the corresponding change in
the mechanical response of breast tissue has to be established. This study aims at providing
clinical diagnostic tools to supplement current breast examination guidelines, and can be
enhanced using information from imaging techniques. The development of novel mathematical
computational formulations not only helps in understanding and providing patient-specific
diagnosis of pathological conditions of the human body, but also helps in developing
biomedical hazard mitigating standards.


Biography: Dr. Vinu Unnikrishnan is a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Mechanical
Engineering at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. He received his Ph.D. in Civil
Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2007. His doctoral research was carried out under
the supervision of Professor J. N. Reddy on the multiscale modeling of nano- and biological systems,
where he developed multiscale methods for the mechanical and thermal characteristics of
carbon-nanotube and polymeric based composite systems for use in advanced bio-medical,
industrial and civil engineering applications. He is currently focused on developing
computational models for the bio-mechanical characterization of human pathological
conditions like breast tumor, pelvic prolapse, uterine scarring, atherosclerosis, etc. His research
focus also involves developing nonlinear homogenization methods using continuum mechanics
principles together with advanced computational techniques.

Host: Sonny Astani Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 209

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Erin Sigman