Design and development of active computational metamaterials for space applications

Active computational metamaterials could perform various analog computations without physical electronic elements (apart from the control system of the metamaterial).

The advantage would be no external energy required for computing (apart from the control system), way lower electromagnetic interferences, temperature sensitivity etc. Among various applications, a dedicated metamaterials elements capable of sensing and processing spoken words and giving an analog output depending on what is detected. Let’s say that a metamaterial that can passively detect words „yes” and „no” - just due to its metamaterial structure - can be designed and embedded into structural elements. The latter can be reconfigurable.

This task requires extensive coupled optimization (piezoelectro-mechanical), hence computational, sensor/actuator and metamaterial expertise is of key importance.

This PhD programme will be supervised by AGH (Krakow, Poland) and co-supervised by INP Toulouse (France). These two institutions have all the know-how and equipment to perform all proposed tasks. In particular, these cover contact and contact-less measurements of dynamic mechanical (i.e. displacements and velocities) and electrical (i.e. capacitance, resistance) quantities. Furthermore, AGH provides all necessary means for virtual and physical prototyping of metamaterials including metal and plastic 3-D printers and equipment for their post processing.

The doctoral program will mainly take place at AGH in Krakow, Poland. During the phd perdio six months will be spent in Toulouse, France, at the Laplace laboratory. The laboratory will cover the costs for these stays.

The applicant must have skills in numerical modelling applied to Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.