At UC Merced, Dr. Davila established three major research areas focusing on the effects of structural transformations and size of materials on properties and performance dynamics at various scales. The overall goal is better integration of computational and experimental approaches to derive improved representation of material structures that control resultant properties for applications in technology, medicine, and the environment. Dr. Davila has significant expertise in STEM education, virtual reality (VR) and digital learning, inquiry-based learning, interdisciplinary team-focused experiential learning, engineering design and innovation. All peer-reviewed publications in specific disciplines are available here.
I. Structural transformation and mechanical behavior of materials at the nanoscale
Accomplishments: Several successful molecular dynamics (MD) studies on the mechanics of nanowires and nanohelices under varied loading conditions. The most recent atomistic study on the mechanical properties of single-crystal MgAl2O4 spinel nanowires has been published in Nanotechnology. Two prior MD studies on the mechanical properties of nanocrystalline aluminum have been published in Materials Science and Engineering A. All of the studies in this area have resulted in the following peer-reviewed publications:
1. W. Xu and L.P. Davila, Effects of crystal orientation and diameter on the mechanical properties of single-crystal MgAl2O4 spinel nanowires, Nanotechnology, 30: 055701-8. DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/aaef11. Published online November 30, 2018.
2. W. Xu and L.P. Davila, Tensile nanomechanics and Hall-Petch effect in nanocrystalline aluminum, Materials Science and Engineering A, 710: 413-418. DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2017.10.021. Published online October 7, 2017.
3. W. Xu and L.P. Davila, Size dependence of elastic mechanical properties of nanoscrystalline Al, Materials Science and Engineering A, 692: 90-94. DOI: 10.1016/j.msea.2017.03.065. Published online March 19, 2017.
4. C. Tang and L.P. Davila, Strain-induced structural modifications and size-effects in silica nanowires, Journal of Applied Physics, 118: 0943021-09430217. DOI: 10.1063/1.4929875. Published online September 3, 2015.
5. K.A. Meagher, B.N. Doblack, M. Ramirez, and L.P. Davila, Scalable nanohelices for predictive studies and enhanced 3D visualization, Journal of Visualized Experiments, 93: 1-11, e51372. DOI: 10.3791/51372. Published November 12, 2014.
6. C. Tang and L.P. Davila, Anomalous surface states modify the size-dependent mechanical properties and fracture of silica nanowires, Nanotechnology, 25: 435702-435709. DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/25/43/435702. Published October 9, 2014.
7. L.P. Davila, V.J. Leppert, and E.M. Bringa, The mechanical behavior and nanostructure of silica nanowires via simulations, Scripta Materialia, 60: 843-846. DOI: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2008.12.057. Published online January 14, 2009.
Dissemination and outcomes: Peer-reviewed publications, numerous conference and seminar presentations, thesis, software codes, posters, tutorials and videos.
II. Computational studies, virtual reality and data visualization of materials at the macroscale
Accomplishments: Successful studies focused on the effects of random structures and processes on macroscopic properties, VR and visualization of data for enhanced analysis. These efforts resulted in the following peer-reviewed publications:
1. J. Extremera, D. Vergara, S. Rodriguez, and L.P. Davila, Reality-virtuality technologies in the field of materials science and engineering, Applied Science, 12, 4948: 1-28. DOI: 10.3390/app12104968. Published online May 14, 2022.
2. D. Vergara, A. Anton-Sancho, L.P. Davila, and P. Fernandez-Arias, Virtual reality as a didactic resource from the perspective of engineering teachers, Computer Applications in Engineering Education, 1-16, DOI: 10.1002/cae.22504. Published March 7, 2022.
3. D. Vergara, P. Fernandez, J. Extremera, L.P. Davila, and M.P. Rubio, Educational trends post COVID-19 in engineering: Virtual laboratories, International Journal on Advanced Science, Engineering Information Technology, in Materials Today: Proceedings, 49: 155-160. Elsevier (Scopus indexed). Published online August 5, 2021.
4. J. Extremera, D. Vergara, M.P. Rubio, L.P. Davila, and F. De la Prieta. Effects of time in virtual reality learning environments linked with materials science and engineering. In: Vittorini P., Di Mascio T., Tarantino L., Temperini M., Gennari R., De la Prieta F. (eds) Methodologies and Intelligent Systems for Technology Enhanced Learning, 10th International Conference. MIS4TEL 2020. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, 1241:1-9. Springer, Cham. Published online July 28, 2020.
5. D. Vergara, J. Extremera, M.P. Rubio, and L.P. Davila, The proliferation of virtual laboratories in educational fields, Advances in Distributed Computing and Artificial Intelligence Journal, 9(1): 85-97. DOI: 10.14201/ADCAIJ2020918597. Published 2020.
6. J. Extremera, D. Vergara, L.P. Davila, and M.P. Rubio, Virtual and augmented reality environments to learn the fundamentals of crystallography, Crystals, 10(6): 456 (1-18). DOI: 10.3390/cryst10060456. Published online June 1, 2020.
7. D. Vergara, J. Extremera, M.P. Rubio, and L.P. Davila, The technological obsolescence of virtual reality learning environments, Applied Sciences, 10(915): 1-13. DOI: 10.3390/app10030915. Published online January 31, 2020.
8. D. Vergara, J. Extremera, M.P. Rubio, and L.P. Davila, Meaningful learning through virtual reality learning environments: A case study in Materials Engineering, Applied Sciences, 9(4625): 1-14. DOI: 10.3390/app9214625. Published online October 31, 2019.
9. B.N. Doblack, T. Allis, and L.P. Davila, Novel 3D/VR interactive environment for MD simulations, visualization and analysis, Journal of Visualized Experiments, 94: 1-10, e51384. DOI: 10.3791/51384. Published December 18, 2014.
10. C. Flores, T. Matlock, and L.P. Davila, Enhancing materials research through innovative 3D environments and interactive manuals for data visualization and analysis, MRS Proceedings, 1472, mrss12-1472-zz01-03. DOI: 10.1557/opl.2012.1257. Published June 15, 2012.
11. B.N. Doblack, C. Flores, T. Matlock, and L.P. Davila, The emergence of immersive low-cost 3D virtual reality environments for interactive learning in materials science and engineering, MRS Proceedings, 1320, mrsf10-1320-xx04-01. DOI: 10.1557/opl.2011.636. Published March 25, 2011.
12. J.F. Shackelford and L.P. Davila, Probability distribution functions as descriptors for long range randomness in non-crystalline solids, Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 356: 2444-2447. DOI: 10.1016/jnoncrysol.2010.07.063. Published online August 31, 2010.
Dissemination and outcomes: Peer-reviewed publications, numerous conference and seminar presentations, thesis, software codes, posters, tutorials, e-books and videos. Additional manuscripts are being completed on this research area.
III. Cellular materials (natural, bio-inspired, foams, hybrid) at various length scales: "materials by design"
Accomplishments: Successful studies on the mechanical response of natural materials, foams and diatoms with the goal of understanding the role of structure at the nano- and macro-scales on key linear and non-linear mechanical behavior. Most significantly, these projects combined experiments and finite element method (FEM) simulation. A study on the deformation modes and structural response of centric diatoms has been published. A newer study on the role of hierarchical design and morphology in the mechanical response of diatom-inspired structures via simulations and 3D printing has also been published. More recently, studies for applications of resilient materials in housing and bio-inspired materials in biomedical devices have been established. All of these have resulted in the following peer-reviewed publications:
1. Z. Younis and L.P. Davila, The mechanical properties and durability characteristics of novel green materials for sustainable housing, In preparation (2022).
2. J. Zavala, F. Robles-Saucedo, C.E. Guerrero-Beltran, L.P. Davila, and J.E. Valdez-Garcia, In vitro biocompatibility panel for PEGDA intraocular drug delivery devices, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (2022).
3. S. Abootorabi, A. Tripathi, H. Yu, and L.P. Davila, Computational modeling of intraocular drug delivery supplied by porous implants, Drug Delivery & Translational Research. DOI: 10.1007/s13346-020-00878-2. Published January 11, 2021.
4. S. Abootorabi, A. Tripathi, L. Davila, and H. Yu, Effects of implant separator structure on drug delivery to the posterior eye, The American Physical Society's Division of Fluid Dynamics, Annual Meting Abstract: NP05.00019. Published online November 2019.
5. B. Salvador, J.E. Valdez-Garcia, J. Zavala, L.P. Davila, and G. Guerrero-Ramirez. In vitro biocompatibility analysis of 3D printed diatom-inspired polymer-based prototypes for intraocular drug delivery, Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 60(9): 3346. ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract. Published online July 2019.
6. A. Gutierrez, M.G. Guney, G.K. Fedder, and L.P. Davila, The role of hierarchical design and morphology in the mechanical response of diatom-inspired structures via simulation, Biomaterials Science, 6: 146-153. DOI: 10.1039/C7BM00649G. Published online November 17, 2017.
7. A. Gutierrez, R. Gordon, and L.P. Davila, Deformation modes and structural response of diatom frustules, Journal of Materials Science and Engineering with Advanced Technology, 15(2): 105-134. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.18642/jmseat_7100121810. Published May 13, 2017.
8. M. Diaz Moreno, K. Ma, J. Schoenung, and L.P. Davila, An integrated approach for probing the structure and mechanical properties of diatoms: Toward engineered nanotemplates, Acta Biomaterialia, 25: 313-324. DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2015.07.028. Published online July 8, 2015.
9. M. Larner, J. Acker, and L.P. Davila, The random porous structure and mechanical response of lightweight aluminum foams, MRS Proceedings, 1662, mrsf13-1662-vv03-09. DOI: 10.1557/opl.2014.264. Published February 15, 2014.
10. M. Larner and L.P. Davila, The mechanical properties of porous aluminum using finite element method simulations and compression experiments, MRS Proceedings, 1580, mrss13-1580-bbb09-05. DOI: 10.1557/opl.2013.663. Published June 15, 2013.
Dissemination and outcomes: peer-reviewed publications, dissertation, numerous conference and seminar presentations, posters, tutorials, and videos. Additional manuscripts are being completed on this research area.
Additional advanced studies on cellular hierarchical materials and "materials by design" have been launched, which require interdisciplinary collaboration and a rich set of tools (e.g., multi-scale modeling and simulation, sub-micron 3D prototyping, and in-situ experiments). Davila team members get training on basic-to-advanced experimental and computational methods while developing professional and leadership skills.