BEGIN:VCALENDAR METHOD:PUBLISH PRODID:-//Apple Computer\, Inc//iCal 1.0//EN X-WR-CALNAME;VALUE=TEXT:USC VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION: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\n occurring at different length and time scales are necessary for the estimation of mechanical\n properties of complex nano- and bio- materials. In the first part of this talk, a multiscale\n computational analysis of nano-polymers would be discussed. Nano-polymeric materials are\n used in applications ranging from tissue engineering scaffolds in biomechanics to self-healing\n smart materials for civil engineering structures. The mechanical characterization studies of\n nano-polymers discussed in this talk involves atomistic-scale modeling of the nano-structures,\n followed by a systematic and rigorous up-scaling of the mechanical properties using nonlinear\n homogenization models.\n In the second part of this talk, a mechano-biological computational model to analyze the\n effect of varying micro-structural constituents on the mechanical behavior of breast and tumor\n tissue would be presented. Since lobular density variation with age is a major risk factor in\n breast carcinoma, a correlation of the change in breast density with the corresponding change in\n the mechanical response of breast tissue has to be established. This study aims at providing\n clinical diagnostic tools to supplement current breast examination guidelines, and can be\n enhanced using information from imaging techniques. The development of novel mathematical\n computational formulations not only helps in understanding and providing patient-specific\n diagnosis of pathological conditions of the human body, but also helps in developing\n biomedical hazard mitigating standards.\n Biography: Dr. Vinu Unnikrishnan is a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Mechanical\n Engineering at Texas A&M University, College Station, TX. He received his Ph.D. in Civil\n Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2007. His doctoral research was carried out under\n the supervision of Professor J. N. Reddy on the multiscale modeling of nano- and biological systems,\n where he developed multiscale methods for the mechanical and thermal characteristics of\n carbon-nanotube and polymeric based composite systems for use in advanced bio-medical,\n industrial and civil engineering applications. He is currently focused on developing\n computational models for the bio-mechanical characterization of human pathological\n conditions like breast tumor, pelvic prolapse, uterine scarring, atherosclerosis, etc. His research\n focus also involves developing nonlinear homogenization methods using continuum mechanics\n principles together with advanced computational techniques. Host: Sonny Astani Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering SEQUENCE:5 DTSTART:20110223T140000 LOCATION:KAP 209 DTSTAMP:20110223T140000 SUMMARY:Multiscale Analysis of Multifunctional Nano- and Bio- Materials UID:EC9439B1-FF65-11D6-9973-003065F99D04 DTEND:20110223T150000 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR