In this talk I will introduce Computational Design-to-Fabrication and give an overview of our research on computational design methods for the modeling, generation, optimization and direct fabrication of structures, e.g.lattice structures for helmets, and mechanical systems, e.g. passive dynamic robots. Current work focuses on developing new methods that allow us to capitalize on additive manufacturing freedoms in design, including multi-material printing, and methods to automate the design of novel, functional structures and assemblies that can be directly fabricated. This includes testing and characterization of polymer-based AM processes and integration of resulting models into the computational design methods. The talk will end with a future outlook.
Bio
Kristina Shea is Professor for Engineering Design and Computing at ETH Zürich. Her research focuses on developing cutting-edge computational models, methods and tools that enable the design of more innovative and complex engineered systems and products including automated design and fabrication processes. Her research is interdisciplinary combining engineering, design and computing and considers early conceptual design phases through to the fabrication of novel solutions. Current research topics include computational design synthesis, optimization and fabrication via additive manufacturing. A variety of engineering areas are investigated including structures, consumer products, and robotics. She is active in the research community and serves on editorial boards of several engineering design journals (e.g. ASME JMD, AIEDAM, Design Science and Computer-Aided Design) as well as being a Fellow of the ASME. Professor Shea graduated in Mechanical Engineering (BS 1993; MS 1995; PhD 1997) from Carnegie Mellon University (US). Prior to ETH Zurich, she worked at several European universities including University of Cambridge and TU Munich. Further, she was a Senior Engineer in the Arup Foresight, Innovation and Incubation Group in London (UK) where she led the development of expertise in Computational Design and Optimization and applied her research to live building design projects.
To register: please email s.wissing@imperial.ac.uk