Problem or Industrial Need
CNT addition can improve electrical transport while agglomeration and porosity can reduce mechanical performance, creating a coupled design tradeoff.
Engineering or Scientific Solution
A combined experimental and numerical investigation using mechanical and electrical testing, microscopy, RVE analysis, FEA and resistor networks.
Sebastian's Technical Contribution
Performed formal analysis, modelling, interpretation and original writing across the electrical-mechanical study.
Methods and Tools Used
- Dynamic mechanical analysis and four-probe conductivity testing
- Scanning electron microscopy
- Representative-volume-element and finite-element modelling
- Three-dimensional resistor-network modelling
Prototype, Simulation and Experimental Evidence
Electrical and mechanical tests
Measured conductivity and stress-strain behaviour across increasing CNT content.
Multiscale numerical validation
RVE, FEA and resistor-network models were compared with experimental behaviour.
Polymers 2022
Peer-reviewed combined experimental and numerical study.
Measurable Result or Published Finding
reported percolation region
The published study identified the electrical transition and the mechanical tradeoff associated with higher agglomeration.
Diagrams and Publications
A material-scale map from morphology to measurable physical behaviour.
The Effect of Agglomeration on the Electrical and Mechanical Properties of Polymer Matrix Nanocomposites Reinforced with Carbon Nanotubes
Combined experiment, RVE, FEA and resistor-network analysis of agglomeration, porosity, mechanics and conductivity.
Role, Team Attribution, Institution and Project Context
Lead analytical and writing contribution within a collaborative PhD materials study.