Research

Research Interests

My research interests lie in the general area of physical metallurgy and materials selection in engineering design.

More specifically, I am currently involved in research that is exploring methods to improve the strengthening of multi-phase metals by utilizing novel deformation processing techniques. Many common high-strength materials (for example piano wire and guitar strings) achieve their high strength only after having been deformed to very large strains. We are investigating techniques to speed-up the strengthening process and thereby improve the efficiency of the manufacturing process.

In a related project, members of my research group are developing a technique based on electrical resistivity measurement that will be used to characterize the internal structure of these multi-phase metals. This technique will be useful because it will significantly reduce the need for time-consuming and often costly transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

A third area of my research is concerned with the mechanical performance of magnesium die-castings. Die-cast magnesium components are finding widespread use in the automotive and consumer electronics industries because of their very low mass. The research project aims to improve our current understanding of the factors that affect the mechanical performance of these components. This will lead to the ability to more accurately predict and control the properties of the castings and therefore create more efficient component designs.

In the past, I have conducted research on various materials including aluminum based metal-matrix composites for the automotive industry; high-strength, high-electrical conductivity materials for pulsed magnets; and the production and design of metallic foams for a variety of commercial uses.

My Research Group

Current Students:

  • Mr. Pouya Sharifi - Structure-property relationships in Mg alloys (Ph. D.)
  • Mr. Ian Swentek - Interfacial strength of polymer composites (Ph. D.)
  • Mr. Jamal Jamali - Polymer composite fracture toughness (Ph. D.)
  • Mr. Hooman Baghaei Characterization of Magnesium Castings (M. E. Sc.)
  • Mr. Chris Rowles - Mixed-mode loading of neat epoxy (M. E. Sc.)
  • Mr. Brandon Vriens  Splined Mandrel Flow Forming (M. E. Sc. – co-supervised)

Former Students:

  • Mr. Mehdi Farrokhnejad – CFD for Magnesium casting (Ph. D.)
  • Mr. Arindam Banerjee – Solidification in Magnesium die casting (M. E. Sc.)
  • Mr. Louis Kaptur - Crucible design for a Bridgeman apparatus ( Undergraduate )
  • Dr. Mohammad Aljarrah (PDF) – Magnesium Alloy Solidification
  • Mr. Tom Bruce - Fracture of thick-sectioned polymer composites (Ph. D.)
  • Mr. Indranil Basu Process - Structure relationships in Magnesium Die-Castings (M.E.Sc.)
  • Mr. Jon Weiler - Structure-property relationships in Mg die-castings (Ph. D. & PDF)
  • Mr. Jason Teixeira - Improving surface quality and die life in aluminum extrusion (M.E.Sc.)
  • Mr. Alex Jones - Fracture of polymer composites (M. E. Sc.)
  • Mr. David Moreno - Hockey Stick Design (M. E. Sc.)
  • Ms. Elise Angi - Design of Composite Rowing Rigger (M. Eng.)
  • Mr. Yin Dong - Microstructural characterization of magnesium die-castings (M. E. Sc.)
  • Mr. Kwaku Odei - Microstructural characterization by electrical resistivity measurements (M. E. Sc.)
  • Mr. Brandon Coultes - Structure and properties of magnesium die-castings  (M. E. Sc.)
  • Mr. Jiaqiu Zhang - Co-deformation and strengthening in heavily deformed, two-phase materials (M. E. Sc.)
  • Mr. Matt Roy – Characterization of Flow Forming (M. E. Sc. – co-supervised)
  • Mr. Phil Tomlinson – Numerical Models of Flow Forming (M. E. Sc. – co-supervised)

Opportunities in my Group

We are always looking for exceptional graduate students so interested applicants should send their Curriculum Vitae and a one page Statement of Interest to Brigitte Kok Madsen.