Current Members

Principal Investigator

Tarek I. Zohdi

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering
6117 Etcheverry Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720
Email: zohdi@berkeley.edu
Office:(510) 642-9172

Research Themes

Modeling and Simulation of:

  1. Advanced manufacturing
  2. 3D printing systems
  3. multiphase/composite material behavior
  4. fire propagation and control with the Fire Research Group
  5. UAVs and swarms
  6. Biological systems
  7. Ballistic fabric shielding
  8. Advanced manufacturing of food with the Food Manufacturing Group

 

 

Methods of Analysis

  1. Discrete Element Methods
  2. Finite Element Methods
  3. Finite Difference Methods
  4. Computational Optics
  5. Machine-Learning Algorithms
  6. Agent-Based Methods

Visiting Scholars

MS/PhD Students

Nicolas Castrillon

Toolpath Planning for Additive Manufacturing

Nicolas is an M.S./Ph.D. student interested in new technologies for advanced manufacturing, such as Additive Manufacturing. Read More

After receiving his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida, he worked at GE as a mechanical design engineer in the consumer products, gas turbine power generation, and oil & gas industries. Outside of his work, he enjoys playing soccer, rock climbing, and road biking. There is nothing better for him than to be out in nature.
About

Zachary Yun

Multi-physics Modeling of Advanced Manufacturing Processes

Zack is an M.S./Ph.D. student interested in optimization of advanced manufacturing processes through computational modeling combined with experiments.Read More

Before entering the grad program at UC Berkeley, he received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly SLO and then worked as a manufacturing engineer for Haas Automation supporting varied manufacturing processes in the machine shop through tooling/fixture design, experimental process development, and robotic/automation projects. Outside of research, Zack enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, backpacking, surfing, and going to watch baseball and hockey games.
About

Avery Rock

Modeling and Simulation of Powder Deposition for 3D Printing

Avery is an MS/PhD student advised by professor Zohdi. Read More

Avery graduated from Brown University with a BS in Materials Science Engineering.

Roger Isied

Modeling and Simulation of Laser Sintering for 3D printing

Roger is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley. Read More

His previous research experience is in photocuring manufacturing processes and mechanical testing of additively manufactured specimens. Outside of research, Roger enjoys playing basketball, volleyball, and hiking.
About
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Brian Howell

Dynamic Optimization for Advanced Manufacturing Methods

After receiving his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Brigham Young University, Brian worked at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Read More

as a research engineer developing radiative-curing materials for advanced manufacturing techniques. As a PhD student in the Mechanical Engineering department, Brian is interested in process & materials optimization and model predictive control of additive manufacturing processes. In his spare time, Brian is an avid endurance athlete.
About

Payton Goodrich

Design and fabrication of biodegradable sensor nodes

Payton Goodrich is a PhD student in mechanical engineering co-advised by Prof. Tarek Zohdi (ME) and Prof. Ana Arias (EECS).Read More

Payton received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Iowa State University in 2015 and his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from UC Berkeley in 2018. His research interests are in printed electronics, wearable devices, and environmental sensors. Outside of the lab, Payton enjoys stand-up comedy, mixed-martial arts, and backpacking.
OmarBetancourt

Omar Betancourt

Agent-Based Modeling and Optimization

Omar is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering co-advised by Prof. Kosa Goucher-Lambert. Read More

His research interests include the use of agent-based modeling/simulation and optimization. He graduated from Boise State University with a B.S. in Mechanical engineering. In addition, Omar enjoys discovering new foods, indoor gardening and forcing his cat to spend time with him.
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Emre Mengi

Manufacturing Process Optimization

Emre is a Mechanical Engineering PhD student at UC Berkeley with B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Science & Engineering from UC Davis. Read More

Emre's previous research experience includes Direct Energy Deposition process optimization and powder flow visualization for additive manufacturing processes. His research interests include manufacturing process optimization and computational modeling of manufacturing systems. In his free time, Emre enjoys learning new languages, playing flight simulators, and alpine skiing.
About

Maya Horii

Modeling of Materials and Manufacturing Processes

Maya is a PhD student in Mechanical Engineering co-advised by Professor Tarek Zohdi and Professor Grace Gu. Read More

Maya’s research interests are in modeling and optimization of materials and manufacturing processes. Outside of the lab, Maya enjoys doing ballet and going for walks.
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Abdullah Alrashdan

Abdullah holds a B.S and M.S in Mechanical Engineering from LMU. While pursing his M.S degree, his research focused on Design for Additive Manufacturing Read More

and 3D printing of biocompatible materials for medical applications. Prior to joining UC Berkeley, he worked as an Additive Manufacturing Engineer for a couple companies in Southern California.
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Carla Becker

Carla is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering with an M.Eng. in Materials Science and Engineering from UC Berkeley, and a B.S. in Physics and a B.S. in Chemistry from Harvey Mudd College. Read More

Before coming to UC Berkeley, she worked as a product engineer at Sakuu Corp., a startup developing a platform to 3D print solid-state batteries. While there, she developed new materials processing techniques, handled materials characterization, brought new equipment online, and led a program to develop a manufacturing execution software with machine learning capability. Outside of work, Carla enjoys running, yoga, dancing, and book clubs.
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Aidan Gould

Aidan is a MS/PhD student advised by Prof. Zohdi. He is interested in multiphysics simulation for aerospace applications. Read More

Before entering the PhD program at UC Berkeley, Aidan earned a BS in mechanical engineering from Northeast University. He has had internships at Pratt and Whitney (induction heating modeling for manufacturing), Mesodyne (thermophotovoltaic start-up), and ATA Engineering (thermal modeling of spacecraft battery systems). On breaks, he enjoys all things outdoors especially rock climbing and snowboarding.

Master of Engineering Students

Digital twin construction and machine-learning of aerial fire fighting for enhanced performance and pilot safety

Our project focuses on optimizing aerial firefighting by improving pilot safety while increasing the effectiveness of aerial fire retardant drops. Drawing on Professor Tarek Zohdi’s research on agent-based modeling and fire propagation/control, we developed a genetic algorithm to pinpoint the flight parameters that make aerial firefighting the safest and most effective. Additionally, we conducted extensive user research within the aerial firefighting community to determine the most critical environments in need of optimization. Based on this information, we encoded a simulated environment in which we can test the genetic algorithm in each of these critical use cases. Ultimately, we hope to provide the most ideal in-flight parameters that pilots should use to conduct aerial firefighting, thus improving safety for all affected by wildfires.

Alejandro

Alejandro Gordo Cuadrado

Andrew Min

Andrew Min

ishan tikku

Ishan Tikku

James Burke

James Burke

Xuerui Song

Xuerui Song

Rapid agent-based machine-learning models for multi-UAV path planning

We create an agent-based ML algorithm for path planning for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) swarms. This algorithm will enable UAV swarms to have multiple independent center points, each with a potentially unique path. In turn, this will ensure the level of robustness and efficiency necessary for deploying UAVs in the field with minimal costs and in real-time.

Junhao_Yu

Junhao Yu

Huang_Zhanqin

Zhanqin Huang

Undergraduate Students

Lizzette Corrales

Lizzette is an undergraduate studying Mechanical Engineering interested in pursuing a PhD and becoming a professor. Read More

She is funded under the McNair Scholars Program and is guided by Omar Betancourt, another member of the MSOL group. Apart from academics, she enjoys working out, playing guitar, and home improvement.