Materials for Extreme Environments

People

Faculty

Thomas E. Lacy, Jr.

Director and Principal Investigator, Materials for Extreme Environments (MEE)
Professor, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

429 Mechanical Engineering Office Building,
3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Email: telacyjr@tamu.edu
Faculty Webpage

Dr. Thomas E. Lacy Jr. received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.  He joined the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M as a Professor in 2018.  He worked for nearly ten years as a practicing aerospace engineer.  Dr. Lacy teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in solid mechanics and materials/structures.  His research focuses on multifunctional composite materials for extreme environments, multiscale modeling, hypervelocity impacts, aerospace structures, computational solid mechanics, and durability and damage tolerance.  Dr. Lacy has published 62 refereed journal articles, two book chapters, 59 conference proceedings, and over 25 technical reports in these areas and has been recognized for his contributions to both teaching and research.  He received a 2009 SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award and was selected to Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and Who’s Who in Engineering Education.  Dr. Lacy has received a number of university-level awards for outstanding teaching, is a member of the Mississippi State University (MSU) Bagley College of Engineering (BCoE) Academy for Distinguished Teachers, received a 2012-2013 MSU Faculty Leadership Award, and won the 2017 MSU BCoE Outstanding Researcher Award.  He has received over $3.5M dollars in external research as PI from the DoD, FAA, NSF, Boeing, and other sources. Dr. Lacy chaired 13 doctoral and 12 masters committees and currently advises 12 graduate students.  He served as a scientific advisor to Golf Digest magazine.  Dr. Lacy is a fellow in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and is an associate fellow in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.  Dr. Lacy is a member of the Sigma Gamma Tau National Aerospace Engineering Honor Society and is a founding university partner/ collaborator with the NASA Glenn Multiscale Analysis Center of Excellence.  While at MSU, Dr. Lacy served as interim Head of the Department of Aerospace Engineering (2013-2016) and Chief Technology Officer in the Advanced Composites Institute (2018).

Kalyan Raj Kota

Research Engineer and Lab Manager, Hypervelocity Impact Laboratory
Senior Research Engineer II, TEES and Bush Combat Development Complex

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Nellore, AP, India
Email: kkraj@tamu.edu
Cell: (662)617-9196

 

Raj is part of Bush Combat Development Complex (BCDC) working as a Senior Research Engineer for Materials for Extreme Environments. Raj holds MS and Ph.D. from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, Mississippi State University. Prior to BCDC, he was a Post-doctoral Researcher in J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. His current research focuses on the aspects of hypervelocity impact testing, material characterization, shock physics, and equations of state development for materials modeling. His research interests include hypervelocity impacts, finite element simulations of dynamic events, mechanics of aerospace composites, UAS collision severity evaluation, fatigue and fracture of aerospace materials, non-destructive evaluation, smart materials, and high-strain rate material characterization. He is a member of ASME, AIAA, NSBE, and International Ballistics Society (IBS).

Graduate Researchers

Jacob A. Rogers

Ph.D. Candidate, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
Graduate Research Fellow, National Science Foundation (NSF)
Graduate Ambassador, TAMU MEEN Department
Lab Manager, Hypervelocity Impact Laboratory
President, Mechanical Engineering Graduate Student Organization (MEGSO)

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Lucedale, MS
Email: jacob_rogers@tamu.edu
CV/Resume: Jacob_Rogers.pdf

Jacob Rogers is a Ph.D. student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering with a strong background in solid mechanics and hypervelocity impact damage mechanics. He completed his undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering at Mississippi State University (MSU) in May of 2019. While at MSU, he was named a Stephen D. Lee Scholar and awarded Aerospace Engineering Student of the Year (2019), multiple first-place research symposium awards, and two undergraduate research fellowships. He researched hypervelocity impacts (HVIs)  and conducted full-scale two-stage light gas gun (2SLGG) experiments under the guidance of Professor Thomas E. Lacy for the majority of his undergraduate career. Upon admission to Texas A&M University (TAMU), he received a graduate research assistant (GAR) position and was also awarded a Mechanical Engineering Graduate Merit Fellowship. During spring of 2020, Jacob was awarded the  J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical 2020 Graduate Summer Research Grant for his research on novel protective structure concepts. His current research on novel, tailored polymeric materials and structures to mitigate HVI threats landed him the prestigious National Science Foundation (NSF) fellowship. Using his over five years of HVI and 2SLGG experience, Jacob led the effort to establish the state-of-the-art TAMU Hypervelocity Impact Laboratory (HVIL). At HVIL, he currently serves as chief operator and lead graduate researcher, studying HVI (1.5-8 km/s) phenomena and materials for extreme environments. He has supplemented his time spent on research with time dedicated to mentorship and leadership, mentoring multiple undergraduate design teams.  Over the short time since HVIL’s launch, Jacob and the HVIL team have performed over 200 HVI experiments and made numerous advancements in diagnostics, experimental capabilities, and 2SLGG operational efficiency. His research interests also include computational mechanics, hypersonics, ultra-high strain-rate materials, and micrometeoroid/orbital debris (MMOD) impacts. He is a member of the MEGSO (Vice President of Technical Affairs), ASME, AIAA, and  International Ballistics Society (IBS), as well as the Tau Beta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Gamma Tau, and Sigma Xi academic honor societies.

Dounia Boushab

Ph.D. Candidate, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Marrakesh, Morocco
Email: db91@tamu.edu

Dounia Boushab is a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. She received her engineering diploma in Aerospace Engineering at Université Internationale de Rabat (UIR) in 2015, and her master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at Mississippi State University in 2017. Dounia was awarded two academic achievement scholarships 2012-2015 and 2015-2017. Dounia’s research focuses on assessing the lightning damage resistance and tolerance of Pultruded Rod Stitched Efficient Unitized Structure (PRSEUS) panel. Fun fact about Dounia is that she has conducted over 100 full-scale lightning strike tests (currents ranging 50-200 kA) on PRSEUS and coupon scale carbon/epoxy composites, under a variety of test conditions for damage characterization. Besides research, Dounia likes to draw and read.

Aniket Mote

Ph.D. Candidate, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Satara, MH, India
Email: aniket.mote@tamu.edu

Aniket is a Ph.D. student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering studying composite materials for extreme environments. Aniket’s interest in composite materials was stimulated by his work on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Advanced Composite Floor-Beam (ACFB) program. After completing his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Shivaji University, India in June 2011, Aniket got involved in Manufacturing Engineering activities with the ACFB program. Well versed with the establishing manufacturing controls around carbon-fiber/epoxy prepreg composite manufacturing, addressing quality engineering aspects and affirming multiple standardized quality management systems for the aerospace industry, Aniket was motivated to further his formal education in composite materials at Mississippi State University (MSU). Here, he graduated with a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering under the guidance of Dr. Thomas E. Lacy Jr. in December 2018. At MSU, while supporting the research related to lightning strike effects on stitched composites, Aniket worked on his master’s thesis (co-advised by Dr. James C. Newman Jr.) addressing the ASTM Standard E647 threshold fatigue crack-growth test procedures. At Texas A&M, Aniket is interested in establishing state-of-the-art and pursuing research in thermoplastic stitched composite materials.

Paul Mead

Ph.D. Candidate, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering
SMART Scholar, Department of Defense

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Houston, TX
Email: paultmead@tamu.edu

Paul Mead is in pursuit of a Ph.D. in J. Mike Walker ’66 Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Mississippi State University with a minor in Mathematics. As an undergraduate Paul researched on smartphone-based flight test engineering on common general aviation aircraft. Paul’s research interests include experimentation and computer modeling of hypervelocity impacts.  He is currently a graduate research assistant working in the TAMU Hypervelocity Impact Laboratory.  

Khari Harrison

Ph.D. Candidate, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Email: khariharrison@tamu.edu

Khari is a Ph.D. student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. He graduated from Mississippi State University (MSU) with a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering. While at MSU, he researched on the characterization of damage of pitch-fiber based lightning strike protection systems and also worked on improving payload integration techniques for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) by designing and fabricating composite components. His current research interests are hypervelocity impacts and composite materials for extreme environments.

Carson Lawrence

Ph.D. Candidate, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Email: lawrence.carson@tamu.edu

Carson Lawrence is a Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering at Mississippi State University in May of 2019, and he dreams of developing new technologies to push human spaceflight further into the solar system. Throughout his time at Mississippi State, he was a member, project manager, and eventually chief engineer of the university’s nationally renowned rocket design team, the Space Cowboys. The team competes in both national international competitions while pushing aerospace research forward and developing new generations of rocket engineers. Carson is now pursuing research in the development of new and innovative finite element methods to assist in the design of structures for use in extreme environments, such as in outer space and at hypervelocities.

Gavin Lukasik

Ph.D. Candidate, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Optical Diagnostics and Imaging Laboratory

Hometown: Porter, TX
Email: gavinlukasik@tamu.edu

Gavin Lukasik is a second year PhD student in the Optical Diagnostics and Imaging Laboratory. His research focuses on developing novel diagnostic techniques to extract particle and flow field data from high speed, high temperature environments. These techniques can be used to characterize the size, position, velocity, temperature, and elemental composition of fragments produced during hypervelocity impacts. Additionally, these methods can play a pivotal role in laboratory-scale propellants and energetics material testing.

 

Joseph Stricklin

M.S. Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Ashland, Ohio
Email: joey.stricklin@tamu.edu

Joey Stricklin is a Master of Science student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. Before joining the Hypervelocity Impact Laboratory Lab, he helped design and construct the Flash X-Ray fixture utilized by the lab. The fixture was his senior design project and will be used by the lab for the intended purposes of the Flash X-Ray system as well as for optical diagnostic equipment. Joey graduated with his Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University in 2020. He is currently a NASA intern for the Langley Research Center working on optimizing the carbon-carbon densification process at Carbon-Carbon Advanced Technologies, where those composites are made. During undergrad, he completed a co-op with AMBIT Polyurethane dealing with manufacturing plant design. Joey’s research interests include hypervelocity impacts and improving the capabilities of two-stage light gas gun used in the lab.

Max Murtaugh

Ph.D. Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: The Colony, TX
Email: murtaughm@tamu.edu

Max is a re-entering graduate student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering. He began his Ph.D. track in the Fall of 2021 with a focus on computational mechanics and intends to research hypervelocity impacts under Dr. Thomas Lacy Jr.

Undergraduate Researchers

James Leaverton

Undergraduate researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Pearland, TX
Email: jdleaverton@tamu.edu

James is a senior mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M and a Brockman Scholarship recipient. He is on track to finish his degree in May 2022 and will pursue a M.S. Business degree followed by a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering. James joined the HVIL in December 2019 and helped establish the laboratory after working on the FAA Post-Crash Fire Forensic project. Since then, he has conducted a self-started research project (forthcoming publication) to empirically model hypervelocity sabot separation. James is currently interning at NASA Langley Research Center studying hypervelocity impacts to carbon-carbon composites.

Nathaniel Bass

Undergraduate researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Baton Rouge, LA
Email: nathandrakeviii@tamu.edu

Nathaniel is a senior mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University. After graduation, he plans to pursue additional graduate degrees in both business and engineering. Both his current research work with the two stage light-gas gun and his previous material science research with the U.S. Army Research Laboratories support his long term goals of providing tools for modern warfighters to allow them to execute tasks safely and effectively. Nathaniel is excited to continue his hypervelocity impact research and find new ways to help extend the test capabilities at HVIL.

Cullen Miller

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: The Woodlands, TX
Email: cjmiller22@tamu.edu

Cullen is a senior mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M. He will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in May 2022, although he is also considering a Master’s degree. His experience includes working as a fluid mechanics research and development intern at Halliburton. He is looking forward to continuing to work with Dr. Lacy and the HVIL team for the rest of his undergraduate career.

Matthew Intardonato

Undergraduate researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Hometown: Keller, TX
Email: matthewintardonato@tamu.edu

Matthew Intardonato is a senior mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M. A friend of our lab from the Optical Diagnostics and Imaging Laboratory, Matthew’s research at HVIL focuses on aiding the development of innovative optical diagnostic techniques. His previous work includes developing a python code used to identify and track fast moving fragments in debris clouds produced by HVI events. Presently, Matthew is part of the team at HVIL developing digital in-line holography (DIH), an advanced optical technique which will be useful in gathering three-dimensional depth information from two-dimensional high-speed videos. This information will eventually assist in a three-dimensional reconstruction of an HVI event. He is also developing an optical quadscope, an optomechanical device that when paired with an array of mirrors can be used to image several sides of the object with a single camera.

Mikayla Wiest

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Friendswood, TX
Email: mwiest@tamu.edu

Mikayla Wiest is a sophomore honors mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M. She plans to graduate in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She is active on campus and holds a leadership position in one of her organizations. Mikayla is incredibly excited to gain research experience and looks forward to her time working in the HVIL.

Brynn Martin

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Dallas, TX
Email: brynnmartin1@tamu.edu

Brynn is a senior mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M. She is on track to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in December of 2022. Before joining the HVIL in December of 2021, she had several experiences working in many team environments. She is president of a student organization on campus and her recent summer internship in building design provided great collaboration exposure to a team of different engineers. Brynn is very excited to begin hypervelocity impact research with the HVIL team.

Dean Biava

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Belton, TX
Email: deanbiava@tamu.edu

Dean is a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering at Texas A&M. He plans on graduating in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science degree. He is new to the field of academic research but looks forward to his future at HVIL with Dr. Lacy and the rest of the team.

Michael Rakoski

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Katy, TX
Email: michaelrakoski@tamu.edu

Michael is a sophomore mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University. He plans on graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in May 2024. He has experience developing scripts for computational modeling, sensors, and user interfaces for various labs/design teams. His research interests include the aerospace industry, hypersonics, structures, and materials.

Sarah Beth Ragan

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Dripping Springs, TX
Email: sarahbragan@tamu.edu

Sarah Beth is a sophomore mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M. She plans to graduate in May 2024 with a Bachelor of Science and afterwards pursue a M.S. Business degree at A&M. She is in a leadership position in an organization on campus and has previous experience researching properties and measurement methods of magnetic materials. Sarah Beth is looking forward to participating in research at the HVIL.

Vanessa Barton

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX
Email: vanessa_barton@tamu.edu

Vanessa Barton is an honors mechanical engineering student at Texas A&M University. She is on track to complete her bachelor’s degree in May 2024 and is considering pursuing a master’s degree. She is looking forward to gaining experience in academic research and investigating hypervelocity impact phenomena and material characterization alongside Dr. Lacy and the HVIL team.

Nick Kroger

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843

Hometown: Houston, TX
Email: nakroger1@tamu.edu

Nick is a sophomore Mechanical Engineering student planning on graduating with a Bachelors of Science in May of 2024. Nick joined the HVIL team in the Spring of 2022, and has since been assisting in the research of hypervelocity impacts into next generation carbon composites and concretes. He is interested in pursuing research in a variety of fields including materials, robotics, fluids, and general mechanics.

Collaborators

Former Students

Hasnaa Ouidadi

Master’s Student, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Email: ho127@tamu.edu

My name is Hasnaa Ouidadi, I am currently a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University working on the “Post-Crash Fire Forensic Analysis on Aerospace Composites.” I got my Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the International University of Rabat (UIR) where I acquired a solid foundation and knowledge in various disciplines related to the aerospace domain. I pursued a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering at Mississippi State University (MSU). As a master student at MSU, I worked on the “Validation of the Two-Parameter Fracture Criterion (TPFC)” an equation developed by Professor J.C. Newman (my Master advisor). The TPFC equation can be used to correlate and predict failure loads on cracked metallic fracture specimens. During this work, I performed two-dimensional finite-element simulations using the critical crack-tip opening angle (CTOA) to analyze the fracture data of middle crack tension specimens made of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy. I was awarded full scholarships from both UIR and MSU. I also worked on the development of a technical report about “RADAR absorbing materials and their implementation in aircraft structures.” I was a teaching assistant for a “Statics and dynamics” and “Solid mechanics in mechanical design.” My hobbies are traveling and singing.

Zachary Gant

Undergraduate Researcher, J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering

103A Doherty Building, 3123 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843
Email: zgant@tamu.edu

Zachary is a Bachelor of Science student in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering. He is on track to finish his undergraduate degree in May of 2021. His professional experience includes being an Aircraft Painting Technician for AAR Corp where he also shadowed aircraft mechanics. He plans to research hypervelocity impacts throughout the rest of his undergrad at Texas A&M University under Dr. Lacy’s guidance.