MCMB Lab PhD student Nolan Black successfully presented his dissertation proposal! His dissertation is entitled “Multiscale structural optimization through second-order homogenization and machine learning”. His work aims to develop topology optimization algorithms for hierarchical structures to promote multifunctionality. This work is inspired by hierarchical structures found in nature, such as bamboo and trabecular bone, that have evolved to meet multiple challenges. His Committee is chaired by MCMB PI Dr. Ahmad Najafi and contains Drexel Professors Alan Lau, Matthew McCarthy Tein-min Tan, and Lawrence Livermore’s/UIUC Professor Daniel Tortorelli.