Overview
The Brinson lab’s research objective is to characterize and model advanced materials systems, bridging across scales, to develop new understanding of material mechanisms and transfer knowledge into FAIR datasets towards novel material design. The research activities include nanoscale experimental investigations, especially using AFM methodologies, computational predictions of material behavior using finite element analysis and micro mechanics approaches, and application of AI methods including surrogate modeling, optimization, and natural language processing. Target material systems include multiphase polymer systems, nancomposites, bioplastics, metamaterials and 3d printing materials.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Sharon C. and Harold L. Yoh, III Distinguished Professor
·
2018 - Present
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
Pratt School of Engineering
Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
·
2018 - Present
Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science,
Pratt School of Engineering
Recent Publications
Graph-based design of irregular metamaterials
Journal Article International Journal of Mechanical Sciences · June 1, 2025 In the field of metamaterial research, irregular structures offer a novel and less conventional approach compared to traditional periodic designs. Designing irregular metamaterials is challenging when it comes to ensuring interconnectivity, which is essent ... Full text CiteA multiscale design method using interpretable machine learning for phononic materials with closely interacting scales
Journal Article Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering · May 15, 2025 Manipulating the dispersive characteristics of vibrational waves is beneficial for many applications, e.g., high-precision instruments. architected hierarchical phononic materials have sparked promise tunability of elastodynamic waves and vibrations over m ... Full text CitePushing AFM to the Boundaries: Interphase Mechanical Property Measurements near a Rigid Body
Journal Article Macromolecules · January 28, 2025 Understanding the mechanical properties of polymer nanocomposite materials is essential for industrial use. Particularly, the determination of the polymer modulus at the nanofiller-polymer interphase is important for optimizing the interfacial mechanical p ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
Collaborative Research: DMREF: Accelerated Discovery of Sustainable Bioplastics: Automated, Tunable, Integrated Design, Processing and Modeling
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2027MRI: Track 2 Acquisition of the Thermo Fischer Cryogenic Helios 5 CX DualBeam for Materials Science
EquipmentCo-Principal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2023 - 2026Collaborative Research: Disciplinary Improvements: Creating a FAIROS Materials Research Coordination Network (MaRCN) in the Materials Research Data Alliance
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Science Foundation · 2022 - 2026View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
California Institute of Technology ·
1990
Ph.D.
California Institute of Technology ·
1986
M.S.
Virginia Polytech Institute and State University ·
1985
B.S.