EDUCATION
- Ph.D., University of Maryland Baltimore County, 2007
- M.S., University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1996
- B.S., University of Maryland Baltimore County, 1994
EXPERIENCE RECORD
- 2008-Present, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS
- 2000-2008, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems
- 1999-2000, Mechanical Engineer, Naval Air Warfare Center
- 1994-1995, Engineer, Maryland Department of the Environment
SPECIALTY AREAS
Smart Materials/Structures, MEMS, Multi- disciplinary Finite Element Analysis.
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Dr. Myers' research thrusts include the characterization of smart materials and smart structure mechanics of systems ranging from nano- to macro-scales sizes. Combinations of novel design techniques, analytical and numerical models and experimentation are employed.
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
NDE of Composites. One ongoing focus area of research is the use of multifunctional materials (initially magnetostrictive and developmentally piezoelectric) for actuation and sensing in non-destructive evaluations. The curent preliminary experimental research project uses magnetostrictive particles (MSP) embedded in Alplex (elastomer composite) and Graphite/Epoxy beams to sense the presence of delaminations, debondings, and voids in those beams. The magnetostrictive particles are excited by a surrounding magnetic field non-contacting excitation coil and the resultant sensing data is collected by a non-contacting sensing coil.
Morphing Structures. The overall goal of the proposed morphing structures research is to create and advance enabling technologies for – and, ultimately, design, build, and demonstrate – a seamless, aerodynamically or hydro-dynamically efficient, air or submersible vehicle capable of radical shape change. Morphing structures can change their shape to respond to or alter their environment. Unlike mechanisms, which consist of stiff elements joined by kinematic links and actuated by external power sources, a morphing structure achieves its shape changing capabilities from within, without the need for an external mechanism and/or power source. The integrated/interdisciplinary system research probes advanced materials, actuators, sensors and electronics to create devices and adaptive structures that enable significant in-motion (UAV, UUV) vehicle shape change, increase vehicle agility and manueverability, reduce noise, manipulate flow, enhance impact resistance, reduce signature identification, monitor damage and suppresses harmonic vibration.
Finite Element Modeling of Smart Material Systems. Simulation and modeling couple important steps toward developing any technology and contemplating realistic scenarios. The ability to define and couple any number of arbitrary, linear and nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) makes Multi-physics Finite Element Analysis (FEA) a unique tool for sophisticated modeling of cutting-edge applications. Its features and a range of other tools make it the perfect tool for today’s and tomorrow’s scientific research needs. Any number of PDEs can be automatically coupled within the model to simulate cross-disciplinary applications or traditional engineering fields affected by other physical phenomena. The equations encompassed by the standard modeling interfaces can be manipulated to the researcher’s needs. Algebraic equations, ODEs, PDEs, or even subroutines can be included to describe material properties, source terms, or extra terms in the underlying equations. As an industrial and educational tool, multi-physics FEA simulates and visualizes applications from all fields of physics, engineering, and applied mathematics.
PUBLICATIONS
Peer-Reviewed Journals
- O. J. Myers, M. Anjanappa, C. B. Freidhoff, “Harmonic Modeling of Piezoelectric Thin-film Micro-Actuators” Mechanics of Slender Structures, Baltimore, MD, In Review
- O. J. Myers, M. Anjanappa, C. B. Freidhoff, “Numerical Modeling of a Circularly Interdigitated Piezoelectric Microactuator Membrane” In Review
- O. J. Myers, M. Anjanappa, C. B. Freidhoff, “Designing Interdigitated Piezoelectric Thin-Film Microactuators Using Finite Element Analysis” In Review
Peer-Reviewed Conferences
- “Designing Piezoelectric Interdigitated Microactuators using COMSOL”, COMSOL Users Conference, Boston, MA, October 9-11, 2008, Accepted
- “Harmonic Modeling of Piezoelectric Thin-film Micro-Actuators” Mechanics of Slender Structures, Baltimore, MD, July 2008
- “Modeling of a Piezoelectric Actuated Planar Capacitor Actuator” COMSOL Users Conference, Cambridge MA, October 23, 2006