Kate (Puikei) Cheng, Ph.D.
Dr. Cheng specializes in computational mechanics, focusing on the modeling of metal deformation as well as additive manufacturing processes. Her particular expertise within this area is in thermal and mechanical finite element modeling (FEA) of metal plasticity, damage, and microstructural-based models using commercially available software (such as Abaqus and LS-DYNA).
Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Cheng performed research in optimizing toolpath design of additively manufactured parts. During her Ph.D. studies, she performed research in collaboration with Ford Motor Company to develop software for modeling the deformation and failure of uni-directional and woven polymer matrix carbon fiber composites. Additionally, she has experience in large-scale data analysis (using Matlab and Python), parallel and high-performance computing, image processing, complex data visualization, and experimental collection and design.
CREDENTIALS & PROFESSIONAL HONORS
- Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2020
- M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2017
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), 2014
Publications
Cheng P. Toolpath Design for Additive Manufacturing Using Graph Theory. Ph. D. Dissertation, Northwestern University, 2020.
Ndip-Agbor E, Cheng P, Moser N, Ehmann K, Cao J. Prediction of rigid body motion in multi-pass single point incremental forming. Journal of Materials processing Technology. 2019 Jul 1;269:117-27.
Smith J, Xiong W, Yan W, Lin S, Cheng P, Kafka OL, Wagner GJ, Cao J, Liu WK. Linking process, structure, property, and performance for metal-based additive manufacturing: computational approaches with experimental support. Computational Mechanics. 2016 Apr 1;57(4):583-610.
Prior Experience
Guest Researcher, National Institute for Standards and Technology, 2020
Lecturer and Teaching Assistant, Northwestern University, 2016 - 2019
Additional Information
Additional Education Training
Certificate in Research Communication, Northwestern University
Management for Scientists and Engineers Certificate, Northwestern University
Predictive Science & Engineering Design Certificate, Northwestern University
SWE/Chevron Scholar
CREDENTIALS & PROFESSIONAL HONORS
- Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2020
- M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, 2017
- B.S., Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), 2014