The Composite and Heterogeneous Material Analysis and Simulation Laboratory (COHMAS) is located at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and forms part of the Physical Science and Engineering Division.  It was created in 2009 as an integrated environment for composite science, with a strong desire to combine modeling and experimental expertise in a single working environment. Visit our group website at:

The laboratory develops expertise in three main trusts:

• Developing advanced materials: conducting polymer fibers based on conductive nanoparticles or conductive polymers, multifunctional material for sensing or actuation in soft and stratechable robotics.
  
  
• Understanding and predicting the integrity of materials and structures: tracking the degradation by a variety of characterization techniques (XRay tomography, full-field measurements, high resolution microscopy), non-destructive testing (Ultrasounds, acoustic emission) and structural health monitoring (Electrical Impedance Tomography, optical fibers) with applications to a variety of materials ranging from thermoset and thermoplastic laminates to conductive materials for the energy sector. Long-term integrity in an aggressive environment, aging for the aeronautical industry and for the oil and gas industry.
   
• Advancing modeling and computational techniques: inverse problems for the identification of material parameters based on full-field measurements, coupling techniques between non-local and local continuum mechanics for simulation of severe crack propagation, multiphysics modeling for aging and integrity of multifunctional materials, simulation techniques for electrically conductive nanomaterials.
  
  

A project at COHMAS is characterized by the following willing: it strongly couples experimental and computational/modeling mechanics and involve people with very different background to make sure we can capture all aspects of these complex problems. Doing so, you will find at COHMAS skills ranging from theoretical mechanics, applied mathematics, computer science to material science and chemical engineering. All these persons are connected tighter by their common passion for the fascinating potential of composite materials.

Most of this research is done in tight cooperation with major industrial partners ensuring a high level applied research based on advanced theoretical concepts.

Prof. Gilles Lubineau

Principal Investigator - COHMAS

Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Associate Dean for Faculty, PSE Division