When I was younger, I thought about how cool it would be if one day a huge car could fit in my little pocket.”
Daicong Da
Postdoctoral Trainee in the Department of Mechanical Engineering
Daicong Da is a postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University. He got his PhD at the Université Paris-Est, France in 2019. His current research interests deal with mechanics of materials, design optimization, and data-driven paradigm, with applications to advanced manufacturing, soft robotics, and multifunctional materials and structures.
How would you describe your research and/or work to a non-academic audience?
The performance of almost anything in the world depends to some extent on its structure. My research is designing these structures to improve performance or to achieve properties that do not exist in materials in nature. My work requires a comprehensive understanding of material and structural behavior in different scenarios to design new ones using new properties and manufacturing processes.
Tell us what inspired your research and/or work.
“When I was younger, I thought about how cool it would be if one day a huge car could fit in my little pocket.” Then I started learning about structural and material design automation with the purpose of "achieving more with less."
What do you find both rewarding and challenging about your research and/or work?
It is always rewarding and exciting to find something new in the research. The challenge is that it is exceedingly difficult to revolutionize what is already there with your discoveries.
What is the biggest potential impact or implication of your work?
Materials are limited. By designing engineered structures at different scales, it is possible to reduce material waste, improve performance such as the service life of components, save energy, reduce emissions, mitigate engineering disasters, and improve quality of life.
Why Northwestern?
Northwestern has cutting-edge research and a prestigious reputation in my field.
How do you unwind after a long day?
Sport/music/being with family/watching movies/sleeping.
What inspires you?
From a social point of view, I want to make the world a better place through digital design and automation, such as everyday structures that are lightweight and elegant, perform better, and are more versatile and durable.
How would your closest friends describe you?
Funny.
What did you originally want to be when you grew up?
Perhaps a teacher.
What are you most proud of in your career to date?
All my published research works, including my book "Topological Design Optimization of Heterogeneous Materials and Structures" published by John Wiley & Sons.
Published: October 4, 2022
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