Name:

John E. Renaud

Title:

Director of Notre Dame Design Automation Laboratory

Education:

PhD - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1992

Courses:

Topology Optimization;
Design Methodology

Contact:

jrenaud@nd.edu
574.631.5433

Websites:

www.nd.edu/~amebio/faculty/
renaud.html

Dr. Renaud and his students are conducting research in a variety of different areas including design tool development for multiscale material design. Each year bone metabolic diseases affect millions of people of all ages, genders, and races. The bone remodeling process is responsible for maintaining and adapting our bones from daily loading. Researchers have used computational models to simulate remodeling activity in response to changes in the bone's mechanical environment. The mathematical model formulated in this research is based on histomorphometric data and cellular activity. Topology optimization is a method for developing an initial, or concept design. One of the studies involves topology optimization for crashworthiness which facilitates the design of low-weight energy absorbing structures for applications in automobile structural body parts. Several other areas of interest are the design of structures for controlled energy transfer and energy absorbtion; blast worthiness design using optimization techniques presents a new application for a well-understood method. The goal is to maximize passenger safety during a blast event subject to certain geometric and manufacturing constraints. Work is also being done in the area of topology optimization for manufacturing. In particular, two types of approaches are available: manufacturing for optimal topologies and topology optimization for manufacturing.