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Joe Dinardo
University of Missouri Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Advisor: Dr. Frank Feng
Abstract
This work shall concern the solidification of a metallic material with the purpose of simulating the growth of two-dimensional complex crystalline structures called dendrites. To avoid a moving boundary problem in directly tracking the solid liquid interface of the growing dendrite, the phase-field model of dendritic growth will be utilized. The method of lines is implemented here in order to solve the resultant complex system of partial differential equations. The inclusion of anisotropy to the phase-field model will improve the realistic qualities of the simulated dendrites, but has also proven to dramatically increase computational difficulty. The results of this work have shown that the phase field model could possibly be used to simulate the growth of dendrites; however in order to produce more accurate simulations large amounts of computing power is necessary. Modeling of dendritic growth could prove to be a useful technique in understanding the complex nanostructures that ultimately give a material its physical properties. Advancing the theory of solidification is an important step in the field of material science and could yield the development of new materials with improved physical properties.
Joe Dinardo currently a senior mechanical engineering student at the University of Missouri-Columbia and will be graduating in May 2008 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, with an emphasis in aerospace engineering, and a minor in mathematics. Joe was born October 3rd, 1984 into a large family in Springfield, Illinois. He will be the first engineer from both sides of my family. After graduation in May, Joe will be entering graduate school to pursue a MS in mechanical engineering. A few of his academic achievements include being awarded to the College of Engineering Dean’s Honor Roll and being a recipient of the MSGC’s research grant. Joe’s past work experiences and education led to a unique internship working for Walt Disney World Engineering. In 2007, he spent six months living in Orlando, Florida working with a diverse group of engineers to ensure the quality and safety of Walt Disney World’s attractions. After graduate school Joe hopes to work in the aerospace field or for a national laboratory, particularly in research and development of emerging technologies. One of the major reasons Joe chose mechanical engineering as his major is because of the broad fields of study one can work in with this degree. Joe believes that an engineer’s work can directly impact aspects of society. It is his professional aspiration to use his ability as an engineer to facilitate advancements in technologies for the purpose of improving life not only in this country, but around the world.
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