Nonlinear Mechanics and Dynamics Research Institute

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Overview

The Nonlinear Mechanics and Dynamics (NOMAD) Research Institute brings together graduate students and early career researchers to work in small teams on computational and experimental projects germane to nonlinear mechanics and dynamics.

The goals of NOMAD are to form collaborations between national laboratories, academia, and industry and to make significant progress toward solving major challenges in mechanical engineering. Participants are expected to publish the results from their projects and/or present their findings at an appropriate conference.

NOMAD is an educational research opportunity where students are matched with research projects and mentors based on their interests and qualifications.

What You Gain

  • Meaningful work in your area of interest to improve understanding of cutting-edge research and development
  • Collaborate with other researchers and receive mentorship from the professional community
  • Short-term commitment without conflicting with existing fellowships or assistantships
Past Projects from NOMAD 2024:
  • Electrical Chatter and Modal Response of Pin-Receptacle Contacts in Oil  View Presentation
  • Sensor Placement Optimization for Expansion of Mixed-Domain Dynamic ResponseView Presentation
  • A Distortion Compensation for Additive Manufacturing – View Presentation
  • Ductile Failure Prediction in Additively Manufactured Metals via 3D Characterization View Presentation
  • Quantitative Analysis of Pulse-Shape Modeling for Shock TestsView Presentation
  • Extracting the Salient Features of a Multi-Harmonic Time Response with Closely Spaced ModesView Presentation
Past Projects from NOMAD 2023:
  • Analytical Modeling of Piezoelectric Stack Actuators for Vibrafuge Applications – View Presentation
  • A Distortion Compensation Workflow Accounting for the Effects of Post-Processing in Metal Additive Manufacturing – View Presentation
  • Dynamic Tailoring of Interlocking Metasurfaces (ILMs) – View Presentation
  • Parameterized Friction Modeling with Optimized User Constructs – View Presentation
  • Fielding Advance Diagnostics to Understand Joint Dynamics – View Presentation
  • Electrical Chatter and Modal Response of Pin-Receptacle Contacts – View Presentation
Past Projects from NOMAD 2022:
  • Obtaining Fixed-Base Nonlinear Modal Models from Free Boundary Testing – View Presentation
  • Optimizing Test Setup Parameters for Force Appropriation Testing – View Presentation
  • Layered Plate Damping – View Presentation
  • Pressure Vessel Enclosure Penetration Energy Prediction – View Presentation
  • Model Validation of a Modular Foam Encapsulated Electronics Assembly with Controlled Preloads via Additively Manufactured Silicone Lattices – View Presentation
  • Distortion Compensation for Metal Additive Manufacturing – View Presentation
Past Projects from NOMAD 2021:
  • Nonlinear Characterization of a Joint Exhibiting a Reduction in Damping at High Energy – View Presentation
  • Empirical Model of Puncture Energy for Metals – View Presentation
  • Mapping from Low Fidelity to High Fidelity Analysis for Failure Quantities of Interest – View Presentation
  • Modeling Rate Dependent Interface Separation with Cohesive Zone Models and Bulk Viscoelasticity – View Presentation
  • Investigating the Potential of Electrical Connection Chatter Induced by Structural Dynamics – View Presentation
  • Nonlinear Transient Response of Electromechanical Assemblies – View Presentation
Past Projects from NOMAD 2020:
  • Nonlinear Analysis of Mechanical Joints in Finger-Like Mechanism-Based Morphing Wing Devices – View Presentation
  • Neural Network Informed Uncertainty Quantification for Structural Dynamics Reduced-Order Models – View Presentation
  • Nonlinear Normal Mode Force Appropriation Techniques to Investigate Wing-Pylon Assembly – View Presentation
  • Correlation of Reduced-Order Model of Threaded Fastener – View Presentation
Past Projects from NOMAD 2019:
  • Dynamics of Bolt Loosening – View presentation.
  • Investigation of Electrical Contact Chatter in Pin-Receptacle Contacts  View presentation.
  • Force Reconstruction at Mechanical Interfaces – View presentation.
  • Modeling and Experimental Validation of a Pylon Subassembly Mockup with Multiple Nonlinearities – View presentation.
  • Development of Reactive Potentials for Molecular Dynamics Simulations – View presentation.
  • Indentation of Porous Materials: Factors Affecting the Indentation Results and a Comparison to Bulk Material Testing – View presentation.
  • Validation of Puncture Simulations with Various Probe Geometries – View presentation.
Past Projects from NOMAD 2018:
  • Constructing Optimal Surrogate Models for Bolted Fasteners in Multiaxial Loading – View Presentation
  • Influences of Modal Coupling on Nonlinear Modal Models – View Presentation
  • A Priori Methods to Assess the Strength of Nonlinearities for Design Applications – View Presentation
  • Fatigue Behavior of Fe-Co-2V using Experimental, Computational, and Analytical Techniques – View Presentation
  • Material Failure Model and Properties for Puncture Simulations – View Presentation
  • Predictive Structural Dynamics Modeling of Bolted Interfaces – View Presentation
Past Projects from NOMAD 2017:
  • Inverse Methods for Characterization of Contact Areas in Mechanical Systems – View presentation.
  • From Macroscopic Tensile Tests to Microscopic Mechanical Response of Components – View presentation.
  • Investigation of Craig-Bampton Models with Interface Reduction for Contacting Structures – View presentation.
  • Influence of Edge Boundary Conditions and Cracks in Ferroelectrically-Excited Vibrational Modes – View presentation.
  • Experimentally Characterize a new Benchmark Structure for Prediction of Damping Nonlinearity – View presentation.
  • Coupled Structural Acoustic Modes – View presentation.

Program Details

LocationUniversity of New Mexico (Albuquerque, NM)
When OfferedSummer (8 week duration)
LevelUndergrad (B.S.)
Graduate (MS and PhD)
DisciplineAerospace
Applied Mathemaics
Civil Engineering
Engineering Mechanics
Materials
Mechanical Engineering
Desired SkillsResearch in nonlinear mechanics and dynamics
Lab experience
Finite element modeling
Signal processing
Optimization
Matlab and/or Python

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

Sandia invites you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law, EEO is the Law Poster Supplement, and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Sandia is a drug-free workplace. As a national laboratory funded by a U.S. government agency, we are subject to federal laws regarding illegal drug use. Illegal use of a controlled substance, including marijuana even in places where it does not violate state law, may impact your ability to obtain and/or maintain a Department of Energy security clearance, and may result in the withdrawal of an employment offer or termination of employment.