Damon Smith
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Universityof New Orleans, New Orleans.
Contact
+1-504-280-6167
Specialization
Nanoparticles, Nanocomposites, Advanced Materials for Additive Manufacturing.
Expertise
Enhancement of mechanical and physical properties of additive manufacturing materials through incorporation of multifunctional nanoparticle additives.
Education
University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, Physics, B.S. 2003;
University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, Applied Physics, M.S. 2005;
University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, Materials Science and Engineering, Ph.D.
2009.
Research
Research in our group is concerned with the scalable, high-yield synthesis of nanoparticles and their assembly into new classes of fabrics, composites, and other macroscale materials. We are currently exploring the inclusion of metal and semiconductor nanoparticles within thermoplastic matrices to produce multifunctional nanocomposites compatible with extrusion, injection molding, and 3D printing processes. The understanding of how these manufacturing processes influence material structure at the nano-, micro-, and mesoscale and the characterization of the associated structure-property relationships is key to optimizing their performance. Applications of interest include biomedical devices and 3D electronics and optoelectronics.