Undergraduate Positions

Dr. Zhou maintains a constant component of undergraduate research in his group. These opportunities can take a variety of forms, including funded research through research grants, funded research through the Georgia Tech SURF (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship) program, the FACES program, and the GT work study program. In addition, research projects for special course credit are also offered. All these opportunities provide real hands-on research experience with faculty and graduate students. Motivated students should contact Dr. Zhou through email or office visit.

Graduate Positions

Dr. Zhou currently has openings for 2-3 new M.S. and Ph.D. students to conduct thesis research in the areas of deformation and fracture. Projects concern computational modeling of microscopic fracture and experimental characterization of fracture resistance of ceramics and composite materials. Specific projects include

1. Cohesive Finite Element Modeling (CFEM) of micro and nano fracture in ceramic composites: Two to three students are needed in this project. CFEM and combined CFEM and MD (molecular dynamics) approaches will be used to simulate fracture and deformation on the microscopic and nanometer levels; and
2. Time-resolved experimental characterization of fracture resistance of materials: One student is needed in this part of the research. Time-resolved experimental methods will be used to analyze the evolution of material failure resistance. Configurations involve split Hopkinson bars and gas gun impact. Electron microscopy will also be used to analyze microscopic and nanoscale mechanisms.

1. Nanoscale material behavior: One to two students are needed. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations will be used to characterize nanoscale deformation of metals and energetic materials. The emphasis will be on developing equivalent continuum representations of the MD models.

For more information, contact Dr. Zhou directly. The complete graduate application package for the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering can be downloaded from http://www.me.gatech.edu/.