Michael Monn

Michael Monn graduated from Queensbury High School in 2008. He received his Bachelors of Science at Brown University in Mechanical Engineering in 2012 and then his Masters of Science in Solid Mechanics from Brown University in 2013. Since then he has been at Brown working on his PhD in Solid Mechanics with an anticipated graduation later this year or at the beginning of 2018. Michael’s current research focuses on measuring and modeling the mechanical behavior of structural biological composites, such as shell, tooth and bone. While these composites are primarily composed of weak, brittle ceramics, they are surprisingly strong and tough. The secret behind their strength lies in their architecture – or how their constituents are mixed together in intricate geometric patterns. By studying the connection between material architecture and mechanical properties we can design the next generation of high-performance structural materials.