Multifunctional Design and Additive Manufacturing (MDAM) Lab

Our lab is dedicated to developing design solutions for Industry 4.0, utilizing additive manufacturing and structural design and optimization methodologies, such as topology optimization and lattice structures. We also further advance these structural design tools to account for multi-physics and multidisciplinary applications. A summary of some research areas are listed below. Topology Optimization Topology optimization provides the optimal structural configuration of a design for a given objective, subject to one or more constraints. To generate structurally optimal designs for additive or advanced manufacturing, we are developing new multiphysics and multiobjective methodologies and leveraging existing strategies. Lattice and Porous Structures With advances in additive manufacturing technologies that enable the production of structurally complex yet functional features, lattice, porous, and infill structures have become a viable means for design applications that encompass lightweighting, composites, metamaterials, bone scaffolds, implants, and impact absorbers, among others. Additive Manufacturing Process Modelling and Constraints To ensure a design is manufacturable, modeling the process is pertinent to first investigate the structure's response during and after printing (deformation, residual stress). Beyond this, the structural design methodology can capture the process responses to mitigate severe manufacturing defects during and after production. Structural Design Software Development A key objective in the multifunctional structural design and additive manufacturing lab is the development of software tools (mainly open source) that can aid teaching and research. We aim to make several nascent design techniques available to researchers, teachers, engineers, and designers, ensuring the diffusion of knowledge and obtaining feedback for technology enhancement.