Li Publishes Paper on Shape Memory Polymers, Book on Lightweight Structures Imminent

January 29, 2025

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LSU Mechanical Engineering Professor Guoqiang Li

BATON ROUGE, LA – LSU Mechanical Engineering Professor Guoqiang Li’s paper introducing a new material model for shape memory polymers (SMPs) has been published in the prestigious Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids. Additionally, he is the co-author of a book to be released next month, titled “Artificial Intelligence Assisted Structural Optimization.”

Li’s paper is co-authored by Alireza Ostadrahimi, a third-year Ph.D. research assistant in Li’s lab; Siavash Sarrafan, a former Ph.D. student of Li who graduated in 2023; and collaborators Alireza Enferadi and Mostafa Baghani.

The paper details Li’s research group’s work in developing a model that helps predict how SMPs behave under different conditions, such as large stretching or temperature changes. It also moves forward the ability to use SMPs for designing stimuli-responsive engineering structures, from medical devices to wearable technology, and from transportation vehicles to marine vessels.

“In healthcare, [our research] supports smarter designs for self-expanding stents to adaptive braces that conform to the body,” Li said. “In consumer technology, it facilitates the development of flexible, durable components for foldable screens and wearable electronics. Industrial applications, such as automotive systems, benefit from smarter actuators, seals, and valves capable of withstanding extreme conditions. An indent in the body of a car made of shape memory polymer composites can be recovered by using a hair dryer. By bridging innovative material science and practical product design, this research enables cost-effective, durable solutions that address the needs of cutting-edge technologies.”

Li’s book is co-authored by Adithya Challapalli, a former Ph.D. student of Li who graduated in 2023.

In the soon-to-be-released publication, Li and Challapalli explore innovative strategies for creating lightweight architectures using cellular materials in load-bearing structures and the potential for designing new cells with superior mechanical and architectural characteristics. By employing machine learning and biomimicry—a method of emulating nature’s designs—the book presents novel lattice truss unit cellular architectures with enhanced features. The findings suggest significant improvement in load-carrying capacities and buckling load-bearing capacity, contributing to the development of lightweight architectures with better strength, stretchability, and stress recovery.

“This book is written with an audience from beginners to senior-level graduate students, including practitioners,” Li said. “Lattice structures, thin-walled structures, lattice-plate structures, and other porous structures are lightweight engineering structures that have been widely used in aircraft fuselage, bridge decks, ship halls, and others. Design and optimization of engineering structures are a routine job for mechanical engineers, civil engineers, and chemical engineers. Currently, finite-element modeling and topological optimization are the primary tools for structural design. Because of the huge design space for engineering structures, the traditional approaches are time consuming and most likely can only find locally optimized structures.

“Machine learning is an emerging tool to assist engineers in designing engineering structures with complex shapes, unique materials, and customized design requirements. This book is of reference values for undergraduate students, graduate students, and practitioners who are interested in using machine learning to design and optimize engineering structures. The algorithms and methodology used in this book can also be used in other areas of studies such as using machine learning to discover new materials.”

Since joining LSU in 1997, Li has authored/co-authored 251 refereed journal papers. In total, he has authored/co-authored 284 over the course of his career. He has also authored/co-authored three books, edited/co-edited three books, and been granted 20 U.S. patents.

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