Doctoral Student Receives “Best Poster Award” for Microstructural Design of Shocked Materials

Joseph Choi, a Ph.D. in Data Science student at the University of Virginia, received the Best Poster Award at the 2022 USACM Thematic Conference on Uncertainty Quantification for Machine Learning Integrated Physics Modeling that took place in Arlington, VA. His poster was titled, “Physics-aware AI-Directed Framework for the Microstructural Design of Shocked Materials."

Choi’s poster illustrated progress on how AI can help researchers better engineer, develop and test the design and performance of shock materials. This is critical in the application of materials found in propellant and munition systems, as well as mining and other civilian applications.

“High explosive materials have a strong Structure-Property-Performance (SPP) relationship where the structure highly affects the sensitivity and performance of the materials used,” said Choi. This is why he suggests using AI-assisted frameworks that go beyond the "trial-and-error" approach traditionally used in shocked materials testing, but instead include critical microstructural data that limits material design. Leveraging AI-assisted frameworks and using data science to create test simulations would increase efficiencies and save researchers valuable time.

Choi started his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at the University of Iowa before transferring to the University of Virginia’s inaugural Ph.D. in Data Science cohort in 2022. He works closely with Professor Steven Baek who joined the UVA School of Data Science faculty in 2021.

"Joseph is a student who thankfully followed me from Iowa and showed a lot of trust in working with me," said Baek. "His research is about teaching computers how to design a mechanical system by leveraging the tools and methods in artificial intelligence and data science. It is an emerging area of research, in which Joseph's background in computer science, engineering, and data science creates unique niche opportunities.

Baek commends Choi for his work ethic and respect for the craft. "He has a highly promising future career ahead and I feel privileged to be part of his journey."

Choi is a U.S. Army Specialist in automated logistics and petroleum supply and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal for his leadership and service.

To dig deeper, check out Choi’s conference poster and abstract below.