Spring 2021 Distinguished Lecturer - Dr. Gregory Odegard | Michigan Tech Research Forum

portrait of Dr. Odegard

Lecturer

Richard and Elizabeth Henes Professor Gregory Odegard, Computational Mechanics, Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics

Topic

US-COMP: Next Generation of Composite Materials for Crewed Deep Space Missions |Recording of Odegard Lecture | Passcode: O^7HG+@S

Research Statement

Current state-of-the-art composite materials are not light/strong enough for crewed missions to Mars and beyond. Structural components of deep space vehicles require lighter/stronger materials for fuel efficiency. The NASA Space Technologies Research Institute (STRI) for Ultra-Strong Composites by Computational Design (US-COMP) is focused on developing a new generation of composites for this purpose. US-COMP is using computational simulation to drive the material design in an efficient manner. By developing new simulation tools, experimental methods, and databases of material information, US-COMP is playing a central role in the national Materials Genome Initiative (MGI). The ultimate goals of US- COMP are to design, fabricate, and test composite panels that meet NASA’s requirements; and to train students to enter the advanced composite materials workforce.

Six Questions with Professor Gregory Odegard

You have a strong focus in your work on computational simulation of materials. How did you come to choose this path? Or, did it choose you?

It chose me. As soon as I finished my PhD in 2000, I started working at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA. On my first day, my supervisor told me to “start some research in computational modeling of nanocomposites”, with no further instructions. Over the next two decades, with the help of many colleagues and fantastic students, we developed new approaches for computationally modeling advanced composite materials.

How do your research and teaching complement each other?

Students truly benefit from having a real-world reference point when learning difficult course material. The common question students have is “how will I possibly ever use this material?” Whenever possible, I try to bring in examples of my research or stories from my work with NASA to make the material relevant and interesting. This is particularly important in undergraduate classes to motivate and encourage the students.

What has changed the most in your field over the past decade (or two)?

I like to tell my students stories about the days when I was in graduate school and I had to physically walk over the library, bury myself in the journal stacks, and actually thumb through paper-based journal articles one at a time. I had to do this every month when the new printed journals arrived at the library.

What is the biggest challenge in your field of expertise?

The coordination of simulations and experiment in the development of new composite materials. Sometimes the experimental side moves too fast for the modeling, and sometimes the modeling moves faster than the experiments. The challenge is to always try to have the two worlds work off of each other for more efficient material development.

How does Michigan Tech work for you as a home base?

I have been lucky to have great colleagues at Michigan Tech who helped enhance my research, especially Gowtham, Julie King, Paul Sanders, Ibrahim Miskioglu, and the MEEM staff. Most importantly, I have been fortunate to work under Bill Predebon, who has been highly supportive of all of my efforts. In my opinion, he is among the greatest of ME department chairs in the US.

What's next in your research?

My group will continue looking for new ways to use computational simulation tools to facilitate the development of new, innovative materials.