Research Area

Ieuan is focusing to conduct reliability analysis of a highly deformable elastomeric wave energy converter through extensive experimental and computational characterizations. For this, he is conducting experimental studies on filled elastomers that have been utilised by a Wave Energy Harvester company. To characterize filled elastomers, widely used experiments suitable for a highly viscous elastomer will be performed. These include single and multi-step stress relaxation tests, hysteresis loops in cyclic loading, stretchability (elongation at break) and stiffness enhancements with respect to filler volume fraction and filler type. Different experimental characterization techniques, using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA), will be utilised.  The ultimate target of this project is to find an optimum filled elastomer that will have a reduced dissipation behaviour with optimum mechanical and thermal properties in subsea exposure. Once sufficient experiments are performed and enough data are available, computational material models will be developed and implemented in a commercial or in-house Finite Element (FEM) software. The project is in close collaboration with Bombora Wave Power, a wave energy harvester company based in Pembrokeshire, Wales (UK).