Multi-Scale Mechanical Characterization Laboratory

With this grant, the PIs establish a new, interdisciplinary Multi-Scale Mechanical Characterization Laboratory (MMCL) at CSUN. The proposed MMCL will greatly extend current research capabilities and allow for new cutting-edge research avenues. In particular, the new laboratory will enable interdisciplinary work on key thrusts of the identified DoD agency technical areas. Planned projects include the design of smart, composite and lattice material...

Deformation of MC-4 Ram-Air Canopy due to Control and Suspension Line Retraction

In the past two years we have developed expertise in using a nonlinear, finite element- based simulation software package to compute the inflated geometry of a ram-air parachute canopy from its cut-pattern. Specifically, we have examined the geometry of MC-4 parachute canopy with uniform and variable pressure distributions. Moreover, we have devised a set of metrics to compare the canopy geometry under various loadin...