Email: vlevitas@iastate.edu
Phone: 515-294-9691
Titles
- Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering
- Vance Coffman Faculty Chair Professor in Aerospace Engineering
- Courtesy Appointment to the Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Faculty Scientist, Ames National Laboratory
Office
2351 Howe
537 Bissell Rd.
Ames, IA 50011-1096
Education
- Dr.-Eng habil Continuum Mechanics, University of Hanover, 1995
- Sci. Dr. Continuum Mechanics, Institute for Electronic Machine-building, Moscow, USSR, 1988
- Ph.D. Materials Science, Institute for Superhard Materials, Kiev, USSR, 1981
- M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Kiev Polytechnic Institute, Kiev, USSR, 1978
Areas of Interest
- High pressure mechanics, physics, and mechanochemistry: four-scale theory and simulations (atomistic, nano- and microscale phase field, and macroscale)
- In situ synchrotron radiation experiments on high pressure phase transformations, microstructure evolution, and plasticity with rotational diamond anvils
- Stress- and strain-induced phase transformations and chemical reactions
- (martensitic and reconstructive phase transformations, melting, amorphization, and sublimation)
- Theoretical and computational nano- and micromechanics
- Phase field approach
- Phase transformation-based mechanisms of the deep-focus earthquakes
- Mutliphysics theory and modeling
- Structural changes in materials via virtual melting
- Atomistic simulations of phase transformations, plasticity, and lattice instability
- Multiscale modeling
- Strain-induced chemical reactions
- Cavitation in liquids and solids
- Large inelastic deformation of solids
- Continuum thermodynamics and kinetics
- Instabilities in materials and structures: continuum and molecular dynamics approaches
- Ductile fracture
- Finite element simulations
- Energetic and nanoenergetic materials
- Superhard materials, smart materials
Brief Biography
Dr. Levitas is a mechanical engineer who has developed a strong multidisciplinary research program at the intersection of advanced mechanics, physics, material science, chemistry, and applied mathematics and collaborates with the leading researchers over the world in these fields.
He is considered as a founder of the theoretical high-pressure mechanochemistry. Dr. Levitas predicted and discovered various materials phenomena, including (a) virtual melting much below the thermodynamic melting temperature as mechanism of various phase transformations, high-strain-rate plastic flow, and fracture; (b) melt-dispersion-mechanism for reactions of aluminum nano- and microscale particles; (c) phase transformation in boron nitride induced by rotational plastic instability; (d) Self-blown-up deformation-transformation-heating process in a shear band with application to the mechanisms of the deep-focus earthquakes, and (e) pressure self-focusing effect.
The main current interests/projects are related to in situ synchrotron radiation experiments with rotational diamond anvil cells and four scale theory and simulations of coupled high-pressure phase transformations and plastic flow under compression and shear of materials in a unique device, rotational diamond anvil cell.
Theory and simulations include atomistic simulations (MD and DFT), nano- and microscale phase field approaches, and macroscale modeling of a sample behavior. Dr. Levitas presented numerous plenary and keynote lectures at various international conferences, as well as numerous invited lectures at various organizations over the world. He organized multiple international multidisciplinary symposia on phase transformations and mechanochemistry.
Awards and Honors
- 2018 Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering, Iowa State University
- 2017 Khan International Medal Award for outstanding contributions to the field of plasticity
- 2017 Vance Coffman Faculty Chair Professorship, Iowa State University
- 2016 ISU Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research
- 2012 Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Germany) Fellowship for alumni for 3 months research in Germany, including support for post doc from the USA.
- 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding achievements in engineering, science, and education (Int. Biog. Centre, Cambridge, UK).
- 2011 Honorary Doctor of the Institute for Superhard Materials, Kiev, Ukraine.
- 2010 Da Vinci Diamond (Int. Biog. Centre, Cambridge, UK).
- 2009: Einstein Award for Scientific Achievement, International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, UK
- 2008 Schafer 2050 Challenge Professorship, Iowa State University
- 2007: ASME Fellow
- 2006: Essential Science Indicator: Emerging Research Fronts Paper in Mathematics in August 2006 A. Mielke, F. Theil, and V.I. Levitas. A variational formulation of rate-independent phase transformations using an extremum principle. Arch. Rational Mech. Anal., 162: 137-177, 2002.
- 2005: Barnie E. Rushing Faculty Distinguished Research Award (Texas Tech University).
- 2005: American Biographical Institute, Honorary Appointment at the Research Board of Advisors (“has been chosen for distinguished standing”).
- 2004: American Medal of Honor (American Biographical Institute).
- 2001: Best Professor Award (Pi Tau Sigma, ME Department TTU, Fall 2001).
- 2001: Medal “40 years of the Institute for Superhard Materials” for valuable contribution in the development of the synthesis of superhard materials.
- 1998: Richard von Mises Award of GAMM (Society of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics).
- 1995: International Journal of Engineering Sciences Distinguished Paper Award for 1994 and 1995.
- 1993-1995, 2012: Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowships, Germany.
- 1984: Medal of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences for the best research work of young investigators.
- 1982: Award of the Union of Scientific-Technical Societies of the USSR for the research work of young investigators.
- 1978: Award of the Ministry of High Education of the USSR for the best student research work.
Listed in
- 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2001, 2000, 1999: Who Is Who in the World, 16th, 17th, 18th, and 27th – 33th Editions
- 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2004, 2003, 2002: Who Is Who in America, 56th – 58th, 64th – 70th Editions
- 2014, 2012, 2009, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001, 2000: Dictionary of International Biography, 29th – 37th Editions
- 2009: 2000 Outstanding Scientists 2008/2009, International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England
- 2009, 2008: Asian-American Who is Who
- 2008: IBC Foremost Scientists of the World, International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England
- 2008: Leading Scientists of the World, International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England
- 2008: Top 100 Scientists 2008, International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England
- 2017, 2016, 2011, 2008, 2006, 2005: Who Is Who in Science and Engineering
- 2007, 2006, 2005: Who Is Who in American Education
- 2007: Cambridge Blue Book, International Biographical Centre
- 2006: Marquis Who Is Who
- 2004, 2003: Great Minds of the 21st Century
- 2004, 2003: 1000 Great Americans
- 2014, 2004, 2003, 2002: 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century
- 1999: Lexington Who Is Who, 5th Edition
- Selected presentations by Valery Levitas (recordings and slides)
- National Science Foundation, DMR-1434613, DMREF/Collaborative Research: Multiscale Theory and Experiment in Search for and Synthesis of Novel Nanostructured Phases in BCN Systems. 2014-2017
PhD Students and Post Docs at ISU
- Dr. Oleg Zarecnhyy (former PhD student from Texas Tech), Post Doc, 2009-2013, currently Associate Teaching Professor at Aerospace Department ISU. Topic: Modeling of mechanochemical processes in materials under compression and shear in rotational diamond anvil cell. Joint papers: Computational Material Science (2014), J. Appl. Physics (2012, 2013 (two papers)), Phys. Review B (2010, two papers); High Pressure Research (2010); Europhysics Letters (2009); Applied Physics Letters (2007); J. Physical Chemistry B (2006).
- Dr. Nataliya Altukhova (former PhD student from Texas Tech), Post Doc, 2009-2011, currently Associate Teaching Professor at Aerospace Department ISU. Topic: Modeling of void nucleation via sublimation, sublimation through virtual melting, and fracture. Joint papers: Int. J. Plasticity (2012), Acta Materialia (2011); Phys. Review B (2009); Phys. Review Letters (2008).
- Dr. Kamran Samani, PhD student, 2009 – Spring 2013, Post-Doc 2013-2014. Currently: Associate Professor of Instruction at University of Iowa. Topic: Phase field approach to pre-melting and melting of nanoparticles. Joint papers: Phys. Review B, Rapid Communication (2011); Nature Communications (2011), Phys. Review B (2014). Awards: Second Award in the 2nd Excellence of Graduate Research Conference, ISU, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Ames, IA, 2010. Iowa State University Research Excellence Award for Spring 2012.
- Dr. Mahdi Javanbakht, PhD student, 2009 – Summer 2013, Post-Doc 2013-2014. Currently: Associate Professor at Department of Mechanical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran. Topic: Phase field approach to martensitic phase transformations, dislocations, and surface-induced phenomena. Joint papers: Phys. Review Letters (2010, 2011); Nanoscale (2014, 2019); J. Mech. Phys. Solids (2015, 3 papers), International J. Plasticity (2018), Int. J. Solids Structures (2016), Phys. Review B, Rapid Communication (2012); Phys. Review B (2016); Appl. Phys. Lett. (2013); Journal of Materials Science (2018); Materials Today (2015), Int. J. Materials Research (2011). Awards: Second Award in the graduate student competition, 47th Annual Meeting Society of Engineering Science, Ames, IA, 2010. Iowa State University Research Excellence Award for Spring 2012. Karas Award for Outstanding Dissertation in the Mathematical and Physical Sciences, and Engineering discipline at Iowa State University, 2014.
- Dr. Hammed Attariani, PhD student, 2009 – Summer 2014. Currently: Associate Professor at Wright State University. Topic: Mechanochemical modeling of nanovoid formation in nanoparticles during chemical reactions and diffusion. Awards: Award from Aerospace Excellence Fund, ISU, Department of Aerospace Engineering, 2014; Iowa State University Research Excellence Award for Fall 2013; First Award in the 2nd Excellence of Graduate Research Conference, ISU, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Ames, IA, 2010. Joint papers: J. Physical Chemistry C (2012, two papers), Scientific Reports (2013), J. Mechanics and Physics of Solids (2014), Acta Materialia (2021).
- Dr. Kasra Momeni, PhD student, 2011 – 2015, Post-Doc at Penn State 2015, 2016-2020 Assistant Professor at Louisiana Tech, since summer 2020 Associate Professor at Department of Mechanical Engineering at University of Alabama. NSF Career Award 2019. Topic: Phase field approach to virtual melting phenomena. Awards: Iowa State University Teaching Excellence Award for Fall 2014; Research Award from Graduate and Professional Student Senate of ISU, Spring 2015; Teaching Award from Graduate and Professional Student Senate of ISU; Iowa State University Research Excellence Award for Summer 2015; 2016 Zaffarano Prize Honorable Mention for excellent graduate research at ISU. Joint papers: Acta Materialia (2014), Phys. Review B (2014), Nano Letters (2015), Int. J. Solids and Structures (2015), Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (2016), Carbon (2020).
- Arunabha Mohan Roy, PhD student, 2011 – 2015, post doc 2015, currently post doc at University of Michigan. Topic: Phase field approach to twinning and fracture. Joint paper: Phys. Review B (2013, 2015), Acta Materialia (2016). Award: travel grant for 52nd Annual Meeting Society of Engineering Science, College Station, TX.
- Dr. Biao Feng, PhD student, 2011 – Summer 2015; Post-doc 2015 – 2016; then post doc at Los Alamos National Laboratory; currently Lead Scientist at Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Topic: Modeling of mechanochemical processes in materials under compression and shear in rotational diamond anvil cell. Joint papers: J. Appl. Physics (2013, three papers; 2014; 2016), Computational Material Science (2014), Int. J. Plasticity (2016; 2017, two papers; 2019, 2020); Materials Science and Engineering A, (2017, two papers; (2018); Scientific Reports (2017); Physical Review Applied (2019), Carbon (2019), NPJ Computational Materials (2019). Awards: Iowa State University Research Excellence Award for Fall 2014; 2015 Alexander Lippisch Memorial Scholarship.
- Dr. Yong Seok Hwang, PhD student, 2012 – 2016, with support for four years of PhD study from the Agency for Defence Development, Republic of Korea. Topic: Melt-dispersion mechanism of reaction of nano- and micron scale particles; currently at Agency for Defense Development, South Korea. Joint papers: Appl. Physics Letters (2013, 2014), Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (2015, 2016), J. Appl. Physics (2016). Award: gold certificate for best poster award at the Third International Symposium on Phase-field Method, State College, PA, 2014; Iowa State University Research Excellence Award for Fall 2015.
- Dr. Zhi He, visitor from Xi’an Shiyou University, China; supported by Chinese National Fund, 2014 – 2015. Topic: phase field modeling of multicomponent solidification.
- Dr. Anup Basak, post doc, 2015 – 2019; currently faculty at Indian Institute of Technology at Tirupati.
Topic: phase field modeling of multivariant martensitic phase transformations and surface-induced multiphase phase transformations. Joint paper: Acta Materialia (2017, 2020), J. Mechanics and Physics of Solids (2018), Applied Physics Letters (2018), Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering (2018), Computational Mechanics (2019), Mathematics and Mechanics of Solids (2020). - Dr. Hao Chen, joint PhD student with Dr. L. Xiong, Summer 2015 – December 2018, currently researcher at East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China. Topic: multiscale modeling phase transformations. Joint papers: Phys. Rev. Letters (2017, 2018), Phys. Rev. B (2017), Computational Material Science (2018), Acta Materialia (2019, 2021), NPJ Computational Materials (2020), Nature Communications (2022).
- Dr. Hamed Babaei, PhD student, Spring 2016 – Fall 2019; postdoc at Texas A&M University (12/2020-11/2021), Senior R&D Engineer at Medtronic, Minneapolis, MN. Topic: Nanoscale modeling of phase transformations and dislocations. Joint paper: International Journal of Plasticity (2018), Computational Mechanics (2019), Acta Materialia (2019), Physical Review Letters (2020), Journal Mechanics and Physics of Solids (2020). Award: Iowa State University Teaching Excellence Award for Summer 2019.
- Benhour Amirian, PhD student, Spring 2016 – Spring 2018, transferred to Canada due to family problems. Topic: Modeling oxidation of aluminum particles in a broad heating rates range.
- Ehsan Esfahani, PhD student, Spring 2016 – Spring 2020; currently staff R&D engineer at Western Digital, San Jose, CA. Topic: Microscale modeling of phase transformations and plasticity. Joint paper: Physical Review Letters (2018), International Journal of Solids and Structures (2018), Acta Materialia (2020). Award: 2019 Alexander Lippisch Memorial Scholarship.
- Dr. Mehdi Kamrani, PhD student, Spring 2016 – Spring 2020. Sr. CAE Engineer at Nikola Motor (Phoenix, AR), Sr. Mechanical Engineer at Zebra Technologies (Holtsville, NY, till August 2022), currently Lead Engineer in modeling and simulation at Eaton (Los Angeles, CA). Topic: Plastic flow and phase transformations under compression and torsion of materials in rotational diamond anvils. Joint paper: Materials Science and Engineering A (2017, 2018), NPJ Computational Materials (2019), Science (2019). Award: Iowa State University Research Excellence Award for Summer 2019.
- Dr. Senlin Cui, postdoc, Spring 2017 – Summer 2018, then post doc at Ames Lab, currently an
Associate Professor in the School of Civil Aviation at Northwestern Polytechnical University, China.
Topic: Thermodynamic and kinetic modeling of precipitation in FeSi and BiMn alloys. Joint paper: J. Compounds and Alloys (2018). - Dr. Hossein Jafarzadeh, visiting PhD student, Spring 2017 – Spring 2018; researcher at Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran (2018-2021); currently: Alexander von Humboldt Fellow at the Ruhr University at Bochum, Germany. Topic: Phase field approach to fracture and interaction of fracture and phase transformations. Joint paper: International J. Plasticity (2018), Nanoscale (2019), International Journal of Engineering Sciences (2022).
- Dr. Krishan Kumar Pandey, post doc, Spring 2018 – Spring 2020; currently Scientific Officer F at High Pressure & Synchrotron Radiation Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Mumbai 400 085, India. Topic: Experimental study of phase transformations and plasticity under compression and shear in rotational diamond anvil cell. Joint paper: Acta Materialia (2020), Journal of Applied Physics (2021).
- Achyut Dhar, PhD student, Fall 2019 – . Topic: Macroscale modeling of plastic flow and strain-induced phase transformations in rotational diamond anvils.
- Saeed Hatefiardakani, PhD student, Fall 2019, returned back to Iran due to family reasons.Topic: Theory and FEM simulations of plastic flow and strain-induced phase transformations in polycrystalline aggregate.
- Raghunandan Pratoori, PhD student, Fall 2019 – .Topic: Theory and simulations of plastic flow and strain-induced phase transformations in polycrystalline aggregate using spectral method.
- Dr. Feng Lin, post doc, Summer 2020 – . Topic: Experimental study of phase transformations and plasticity of metals under compression and shear in rotational diamond anvil cell and under compression with radial diffraction.
- Dr. Sorb Yesudhas, post doc, September 1, 2020 – . Topic: Experimental study of phase transformations and plasticity of semiconductors and ceramics under compression and shear in rotational diamond anvil cell.
- Aniket Singh}, PhD student, January 2022 – . Topic: Two scale FEM modeling of plastic flow and phase transformations under compression and torsion of materials in rotational diamond anvils in connection to x-ray experiments.
