Research Focus
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Interests include the application of atomistic simulation in order to understand the mechanics of deformation and failure of nano-inspired materials (Carbon nanotubes, graphene, polymers, cement, hierarchical composites), and the self assembly of these materials. The driving force behind this research extends from a desire to redefine and improve materials from the atomistic scale. For example, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) hold enormous potential applications for technological innovation and may eventually serve to redefine conventional structural and building materials. CNTs may thereby enable the development of materials with improved structural performance, and may lead to novel applications such as integrated photovoltaic cells, heated concrete to melt ice, and impermeable concrete to safeguard against corrosion of imbedded rebars. Future products hold great promise because of the mechanical properties CNTs may provide. For example, CNTs play a pivotal role in the realization of a space elevator and in thermal management applications. In order to realize and implement the benefits of CNTs, it is first necessary to understand the structural behavior of CNTs by including the atomistic details in the analysis of the material behavior.
Figure: Fracture mechanics of a (10,10) CNT, modeled using ReaxFF at a loading rate of 2,000 m/s.
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Education
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2008 - Present:
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S.M. / Ph.D. student at MIT's Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
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2004 - 2008:
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B.S. Civil & Environmental Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, University of South Florida
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Awards
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- MIT Student Fellowship
- Gates Millennium Scholar
- Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Scholar
- 1st Place in Poster presentation: Atomistic and Continuum Modeling of Carbon Nanotube Deformation, during the Sixth Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium & Celebration, University of South Florida (2008)
- Poster presentation: Atomistic and Continuum Modeling of Carbon Nanotube Deformation, during the Florida Georgia Luis-Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in Science & Technology (FGLSAMP) EXPO, University of Florida (2008)
- ACI Katharine and Bryant Mather Scholarship Recipient (2008)
- Oral presentation on Non-Destructive Assessment of the Coating Condition of Epoxy Coated Rebar in Concrete, during the Florida Georgia Luis-Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in Science & Technology (FGLSAMP) EXPO, University of South Florida (2007)
- Tau Beta Pi Scholarship (2007)
- Florida Engineering Foundation Scholarship (2007)
- ACI – Suncoast Florida Chapter Endowed Scholarship (2006)
- Florida Engineering Foundation Scholarship (2006)
- University of South Florida, College of Engineering Honeywell Hispanic Scholarship (2006)
- Echelberger Scholarship, American Society of Civil Engineers (2005)
- Society of American Military Engineers Scholarship (2005)
- The Advancing Hispanic Excellence in Technology, Engineering, Math, and Science (AHETEMS) Scholarship (2005)
- Bailey Family Foundation Scholarship (2004 – 2007)
- University of South Florida Latino Scholarship Fund & Professional Service Industries (PSI) Scholarship for Academic Achievement (2004 – 2008)
- U.S. President’s Award for Educational Excellence (2004)
- National Ventures Scholar for outstanding academic achievement and dedication to excellence (2004)
- Tribune Honors Scholar (2004)
- Honorable mention in the General Norman Schwarzkopf Leadership Award (2003)
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Publications and Presentations
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- A.P. Garcia, D. Sen and M.J. Buehler, “Reactive force field modeling of carbon nanotube deformation and fracture,” In preparation.
- A.P. Garcia, D. Sen and M.J. Buehler, “Atomistic and Continuum Modeling of Carbon Nanotube Deformation,” Conjure, Vol. 3(1), p.67, 2008
- 1st Place in Poster presentation: Atomistic and Continuum Modeling of Carbon Nanotube Deformation, during the Sixth Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium & Celebration, University of South Florida (2008)
- Poster presentation: Atomistic and Continuum Modeling of Carbon Nanotube Deformation, during the Florida Georgia Luis-Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in Science & Technology (FGLSAMP) EXPO, University of Florida (2008)
- Poster presentation and paper submittal: Atomistic and Continuum Modeling of Carbon Nanotube Deformation, during the MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP) (2007)
- Poster presentation and paper submittal: Non-Destructive Assessment of the Coating Condition of Epoxy Coated Rebar in Concrete, during the Fifth Annual Undergraduate Research Symposium & Celebration, University of South Florida (2007)
- Oral presentation: Non-Destructive Assessment of the Coating Condition of Epoxy Coated Rebar in Concrete, during the Florida Georgia Luis-Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in Science & Technology (FGLSAMP) EXPO, University of South Florida (2007)
- Selected to present preliminary research findings on: Non-Destructive Assessment of the Corrosion Condition of Epoxy Coated Rebar in Concrete, during the University of South Florida McNair Summer Research Institute Symposium and the 14th Annual California McNair Scholars Symposium at U.C. Berkeley (2006)
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