Computational Materials Science Lab

PhD Student

Marshall Allen

marshallen16@tamu.edu

n/a

Marshall Allen is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He is co-advised by Dr. Richard Malak and Dr. Raymundo Arroyave. Marshall’s research focus is refining the use of robotic path planning algorithms for the design of Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs).

Richard Couperthwaite

richardcouperthwaite@tamu.edu

n/a

I started as a Ph.D. Student with Dr. Arroyave’s Group in Fall 2017, and have been working on the computational design of steel materials using thermodynamics and information-fusion techniques. Side projects have extended into the use of machine learning techniques for quantification of microstructures.

Before Starting my Ph.D. I worked in materials research and development at Mintek in South Africa. Some of my focus areas while working there was the development of more corrosion and oxidation resistant FeAl alloys, colored gold and platinum jewelry alloys and metal spray forming.

Jaylen James

jaylen_james@tamu.edu

n/a

Graduate Research Assistant
Arroyave Research Group, Texas A&M U.

Office: Doherty Bldg., A301
Phone:
E-Mail: jaylen_james@tamu.edu

 

Jaylen James graduated from Priarie View A&M University with a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering. He is now pursuing his PhD. Currently, his research focus is in fusing information from multi-fidelity sources using model reification. This project is in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory. The methods Jaylen is working on will help researchers better predict material properties and help enhance the material design process for various applications.

Tanner Kirk

tannerkirk@tamu.edu

n/a

Graduate Research Assistant
Design Systems Laboratory, Texas A&M

Office: Doherty Bldg., 309
Email: tannerkirk@tamu.edu

Tanner Kirk is a Ph.D. student in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Texas A&M University. He is co-advised by Dr. Richard Malak and Dr. Raymundo Arroyave. Tanner researches the use of robotic path planning algorithms to design Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs).  The methods Tanner develops use thermodynamic predictions of phase formation (CALPHAD) to plan FGMs that avoid the deleterious phases that often plague the manufacturing of FGMs. These methods are scalable to FGMs composed of an arbitrary number of elements and can be used to optimize FGMs for performance. Tanner’s other research interests are machine learning, optimization, and materials design.

D3EM ePortfolio

Selected Publication: Kirk, T., Galvan, E., Malak, R., & Arroyave, R. (2018). Computational Design of Gradient Paths in Additively Manufactured Functionally Graded Materials. Journal of Mechanical Design, 140(11), 111410.

José Mancias

jose.mancias@tamu.edu

n-a

José Mancias is a Ph.D. student working in a joint program between Texas A&M and IMDEA Materials in Madrid, Spain. His research focuses on phase-field modeling and computational design of metallic alloys for additive manufacturing. In 2020, he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Elias J Muñoz

ejmunoz3@tamu.edu

n/a

Graduate Researcher
Arroyave Group, Texas A&M University

Topics:
– Micro-structure evolution of silicon carbides and other ceramic matrix composites (CMCs)

– Accelerated materials discovery using data-simulated-enabled framework

– Database creation and management of binary and ternary thermodynamic assessments

Current Work:
– Using an informatics-based approach, I look to discover new candidates for intermetallic melt infiltrants with optimal melting ranges and compatibilities with SiC and develop thermodynamic-based methods to discover alloy and process conditions for processing defect-free SiC/SiC composites by melt infiltration.

– Following that, we will then validate and demonstrate infiltrants through rapid infiltration methods.

 

Recent Publications/Presentations:

1. “Design and Discovery of Ceramic Matrix Composites By Assessment of Inverse Phase Stability and Microstructural Evolution.” AFRL Internship Poster Presentation. 08/2018

2. “High throughput CALPHAD assessments and phase-field algorithms for use in materials discovery. “ University of Michigan ICME Camp. 06/2018

3. “High throughput CALPHAD assessments and phase-field algorithms for use in materials discovery. “ CALPHAD XLVII Conference. 05/2018

Meelad Ranaiefar

mranaiefar@tamu.edu

n/a

Graduate Research Assistant
Arroyave Research Group, Texas A&M U.

Office: Doherty Bldg., A301
Phone:
E-Mail: mranaiefar@tamu.edu

 

 

 

Meelad Ranaiefar received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M and is now pursuing a Ph.D in Materials Science and Engineering. His current work involves modeling the contributing effect of differential evaporation on an additively manufactured part, consisting of nickel, titanium, niobium, or aluminum material.  This is because differential evaporation can be seen as a negative side effect in the additive manufacturing process, leading to undesired changes in the microstructure of a material, but, through modeling and greater understanding, it can be used to control location specific microstructure and properties in materials.

 

Research Interests:

  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Welding