EXPERIMENTAL MECHANICS LABORATORY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Cal Poly SLO Undergraduate Student
Job Titles:
- SDSU Undergraduate Student
Job Titles:
- SDSU Undergraduate Student
Research Interest
Carlos's research focuses on developing novel printable resins using polymer nano-composites by strategically tuning several molecular decorations to improve acceptability and accelerate the transnational potential of these novel materials for bed-side treatments.Carlos is working on improving the print-ability of newly synthesized photocurable resins by altering the chemistry and optimizing the processing parameters. He is also working on elucidating the process-property-structure-performance interrelations using hybrid experimental and computational approaches as a function of broad manufacturing and loading conditions, leveraging our state-of-the-art manufacturing and characterization techniques.
Education
B.S.E Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University - Cleveland, OH - May 2024
Experience
Undergraduate Research Assistant, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, September 2023 - May 2024
Job Titles:
- SDSU Undergraduate Student
Job Titles:
- SDSU Undergraduate Student
Dr. Rativa-Parada's research centers on the mechanical behavior of multifunctional polymers and nanocomposites, as well as the development of novel manufacturing and characterization technologies for materials science and engineering. His work in the Experimental Mechanics Laboratory is divided into three symbiotic thrusts: (1) the development of novel spectroscopic techniques for characterizing polymers and composites; (2) understanding the behavior of multifunctional nanocomposite polymers under the influence of electric, magnetic, and thermal fields; and (3) advancing cutting-edge additive manufacturing techniques for the aerospace, defense, structural, and biomedical industries, including their mechanical behavior under a broad range of loading and operating conditions.
Focuses on fabrication and characterization of polymer nanocomposites and fiber-reinforced composites using a broad range of novel and conventional tools.
Research Interest
Eric's research focuses on the thermomechanical behavior of virgin and environmentally-degraded polymers. Natural and synthetic polymers are highly susceptible to the surrounding environmental conditions since the disassociation energy is congruent to the natural levels, leading to potential degradation or the possibility of recycling. Eric will investigate the effect of simulated weathering environments on the thermal, morphological, topological, and mechanical properties of polymers. Therefore, Eric will leverage our full suite of thermomechanical characterization instrumentation to explicate the influence of the weathering environment on the stability, degradation, and decomposition of polymers.
Education
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder - Boulder, CO - May 2021.
Experience
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, University of Colorado Boulder - Department of Mechanical Engineering, January 2021 - May 2021.
Job Titles:
- Colorado Boulder Undergraduate Student
Job Titles:
- SDSU Undergraduate Student
Job Titles:
- Nondestructive Quality Testing of Polyurea Production Samples Using Infrared Spectroscopy." 2019
Research Interest
Sean's research focuses on developing novel impact-mitigating structures using additive manufacturing of multilayer and composite materials to maximize their impact efficacy for loading scenarios under a wide range of strain rates. Novel FRP additive manufacturing technologies and new tailorable-properties foams enable the development of protective structures with tunable mechanical behaviors. Therefore, Sean will explore printable fiber-reinforced polymer matrix composites and customizable polyurea foams to develop shock-tolerant and impact-resistant protective structures for biomechanical applications. He will leverage our state-of-the-art manufacturing and characterization approaches at broad spatiotemporal scales.
Education
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, San Diego State University - San Diego, CA - December 2022.
Experience
Teaching Assistant, SDSU Mechanical Engineering Department, San Diego State University, September 2022 - December 2022.
Engineering Intern, Product Development - Studio Red, Palo Alto, CA, January 2022 - August 2022.
Job Titles:
- SDSU Undergraduate Student