L. Catherine Brinson

Sharon C. and Harold L. Yoh, III Distinguished Professor

The Brinson lab’s research objective is to characterize and model advanced materials systems, bridging across scales, to develop new understanding of material mechanisms and transfer knowledge into FAIR datasets towards novel material design. The research activities include nanoscale experimental investigations, especially using AFM methodologies, computational predictions of material behavior using finite element analysis and micro mechanics approaches, and application of AI methods including surrogate modeling, optimization, and natural language processing. Target material systems include multiphase polymer systems, nancomposites, bioplastics, metamaterials and 3d printing materials. 

Appointments and Affiliations

  • Sharon C. and Harold L. Yoh, III Distinguished Professor
  • Professor in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
  • Donald M. Alstadt Chair of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Contact Information

  • Office Location: 3379 Fciemas Building, Duke Campus, Durham, NC 27708
  • Office Phone: (919) 660-5310
  • Email Address: cate.brinson@duke.edu
  • Websites:

Education

  • B.S. Virginia Polytech Institute and State University, 1985
  • M.S. California Institute of Technology, 1986
  • Ph.D. California Institute of Technology, 1990

Research Interests

Mechanics of materials, with emphasis on complex hierarchical materials and polymer based systems, and merging concepts of data science into materials. Nanoscale and bulk scale experimental characterization, modeling and simulation of the behavior of materials, including physics based and machine learning approaches. Current research foci include nanostructured polymers, interfacial behavior, structural metamaterials and data platforms for material query and design.

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

  • A.C. Eringen Medal. Society of Engineering Science (SES). 2022
  • Fellow. American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). 2020
  • Nadai Medal. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). 2014
  • Fellow. American Academy of Mechanics. 2013
  • Fellow. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 2009
  • Fellow. Society for Engineering Science. 2007
  • Friedrich Wilhelm Bessel Prize. Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. 2006
  • Thomas JR Hughes Young Investigator Award. American Society of Mechanical Engineers. 2003
  • National Science Foundation CAREER Awards - Multiple Sciences. National Science Foundation (NSF). 1995

Courses Taught

  • BME 526: Elasticity (GE, BB)
  • CEE 521: Elasticity (GE, BB)
  • ME 391: Undergraduate Projects in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 555: Advanced Topics in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 591: Research Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science

In the News

Representative Publications

  • Huerta, E. A., Ben Blaiszik, L Catherine Brinson, Kristofer E. Bouchard, Daniel Diaz, Caterina Doglioni, Javier M. Duarte, et al. “FAIR for AI: An interdisciplinary and international community building perspective.” Scientific Data 10, no. 1 (July 2023): 487. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02298-6.
  • Ma, Boran, Nicholas J. Finan, David Jany, Michael E. Deagen, Linda S. Schadler, and L Catherine Brinson. “Machine-Learning-Assisted Understanding of Polymer Nanocomposites Composition-Property Relationship: A Case Study of NanoMine Database.” Macromolecules 56, no. 11 (June 2023): 3945–53. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.macromol.2c02249.
  • Burkhart, Craig, Bing Jiang, George Papakonstantopoulos, Patrycja Polinska, Hongyi Xu, Richard J. Sheridan, L Catherine Brinson, and Wei Chen. “Data-Driven Multiscale Science for Tread Compounding.” Tire Science And Technology 51, no. 2 (April 1, 2023): 114–31. https://doi.org/10.2346/tire.22.21003.
  • Brinson, L. C., L. M. Bartolo, B. Blaiszik, D. Elbert, I. Foster, A. Strachan, and P. W. Voorhees. “Community action on FAIR data will fuel a revolution in materials research.” MRS Bulletin, January 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1557/s43577-023-00498-4.
  • Jablonka, K. M., Q. Ai, A. Al-Feghali, S. Badhwar, J. D. Bocarsly, A. M. Bran, S. Bringuier, et al. “14 examples of how LLMs can transform materials science and chemistry: a reflection on a large language model hackathon.” Digital Discovery, January 1, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1039/d3dd00113j.