MrCharlie Aveline

I am a PhD student in the Department of Aeronautics. My research focuses on the optimisation of structures for aerospace and biomedical applications. This includes the multi-scale optimisation of metamaterials and topology optimisation of single-scale structures.

My work seeks to add the capability to model internal contact into the optimisation of these structures, allowing highly nonlinear responses to be achieved. This facilitates the design of structures with properties such as snap-through buckling, re-stiffening, bistability, and multistability. Furthermore, my research investigates the approach of inverse design, where structures can be generated to attain prescribed mechanical properties.

As part of my funding for the OncoEng group, I am using these techniques to design implants for patients suffering from bone metastases in their vertebrae. By optimising metamaterials manufactured using 3D printing, deployable implants can be designed for minimally invasive surgery to treat patients. This is part of an effort across multiple universities involving researchers from Imperial, UCL, Leeds and Birmingham. Within Imperial I am part of the Mechanical Metamaterials group within the Aeronautics department.

During my Masters thesis, I investigated the design of carbon fibre composite structures inspired by those found in nature. These composite lattice structures could be used to improve the damage-tolerance of existing aerospace structures. My work included modelling the failure of these composite structures using Finite Element Analysis (FEA), manufacturing of specimens using an automated fibre placement machine (AFP), and their testing using mechanical testing machines and techniques such as Digital Image Correlation (DIC).

Alongside my work, I also aid with the design, manufacture and testing of amateur rockets with Imperial College London Rocketry (ICLR). I have previously held leadership positions within the team and launched rockets in the UK, Portugal and USA.

I am also assisting the Space Magnetometers Lab in the Imperial Physics department by carrying out FEA for their magnetometers on the upcoming NASA HelioSwarm mission. My analysis will help with the design and qualification process of these sensors.