Yammer, Zachary: Understanding the Mechanical and Dynamic Loading Conditions of Smart Ceramic Compounds and Literature Review
Title: Understanding the Mechanical and Dynamic Loading Conditions of Smart Ceramic Compounds and Literature Review
Name: Zachary Yammer
Home Institute: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Programs: RISE program, REU – Green Energy Technology Undergraduate Program (GET UP)
Other contributors: Kimberly Cook-Chennault
Abstract: Dielectric and piezoelectric materials, e.g. barium titanate (BT) and hydroxyapatite (HA), have been extensively studied for the advancement of materials and devices for application to sensors/actuators, energy storage/harvesting, structural health monitoring and biomedical engineering scaffolds. Several studies examined how processing parameters influence the material properties. However few models exist that enable accurate prediction of the performance of these materials under both mechanical conditions specified by ASTM standards or less is known about the performance of piezoelectric structures undergoing non-traditional loading conditions and configurations. The goal of this project is to predict the mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical properties of these ceramic materials. Numerical models are being developed using COMSOL, a finite element modeling software, to compare empirical data from previous studies along with data from other publications. The models are configured by determining the proper mesh size in which the simulation is still accurate while not being too computationally overbearing or exhausting memory storage. Material properties are then defined and the ultimate compressive strength is measured. Rule of mixtures is the method used for approximating the properties of the composite materials.
Biography: Zachary Yammer was born in NY, NY and raised in Teaneck, NJ. He is a rising junior at Rutgers University studying mechanical engineering. Mr. Yammer is well-known for his dedication to his work, selected for the Staff Honor Roll at Camp Moshava Ba’ir in Summer 2018, making dean’s list, and appointed as a Learning Assistant by the Rutgers Learning Center. He is a research fellow through the National Science Foundation, Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU): Green Energy Technology Undergraduate Program (GET UP). Mr. Yammer’s research experience comes from his time spent in the Hybrid Energy Systems and Smart Materials Laboratory (HESSML) under the mentorship of Dr. Cook-Chennualt, director of HESSML and GET UP and an associate professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Rutgers University. His research includes investigating piezoelectric materials and analyzing energy systems as well as currently co-authoring a literature review. Mr. Yammer looks to utilize the knowledge gained through his research to develop systems with energy scavenging/harvesting capabilities to be incorporated into buildings and city infrastructure to reduce the ever-growing energy demands.