Current
D. Rittel research interests lie in the field of Mechanics and Physics of material/structural failure, with emphasis on experimental characterization across the scales. While the quasi-static (slow) loading regime is of interest, the majority of D. Rittel’s work concerns impact physics and the associated thermomechanical coupling effects that give rise to unique dynamic failure mechanisms. The approach is usually of a hybrid type that involves iterating advanced numerical simulations and experimental work.
The first step is to understand the specific physics of the failure process of any material system (metallic, ceramic, soft matter, living matter…) in all of its aspects (mechanical and materials), so that this process can be modelled and controlled accordingly. The ultimate goal of D. Rittel’s work is the development of stronger materials and safer structures based on the knowledge of their failure mechanisms.
Prof. Petel specializes in shock mechanics with applications to shock protection. He will be joining our team working on hydrogels for shock mitigation purposes.
Dr. (DMD-PhD) Keren Shemtov-Yona specializes in clinical implantology and mechanical behavior of dental materials used in implant dentistry. Keren holds a B.Sc. in Biology (TAU), a DMD from Tel Aviv University, School of Dentistry, and an M.Sc and PhD from Technion. She also holds a Lecturer position at the Department of Oral Biology at the School of Dentistry, Tel Aviv University.
Dr. Z. Lovinger holds a B.Sc. and an M.Sc. in Civil Engineering, and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering (2014). He specializes in ultra-high rate testing of materials and he has pioneered the electromagnetic collapse test of cylinders during his PhD, and later extended the method to expanding cylinders. Zev Lovinger has (and still) co-advises several graduate students with Prof. Rittel. He recently spent 2 years at the California Institute of Technology with Prof. G. Ravichandran where he got deeply involved in plate impact and pressure shear testing and modelling. As of today, he joins our group as a Research Associate for a period of 2 years.
Ilana holds a PhD in biology and we collaborate on the mechanics of wine grapes… A very nice subject indeed.
Dr. Ofir Shor. Dr. Shor specializes in modelling the damage and fracture of composite materials. He is also co-advising some of our M.Sc. students. Welcome!
