October 28, 2024
Francis Sampson, a native of Houston, Texas, is blazing trails as one of the first students to complete the AI + Materials Graduate Certificate at Duke University. Currently a 2nd year Master of Science student in the Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science department, Francis brings a unique perspective to his studies. He graduated from Rice University in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Minor in African and African-American Studies. As a member of the Gall Research Group, Francis focuses on the material and mechanical properties of additively manufactured lattice structures, incorporating machine learning and fracture behavior into his research.
In a candid interview with Aniketh Shenoy, the program assistant for the aiM program, Francis shared his experiences, challenges, and insights about pursuing this innovative interdisciplinary path. His journey from Houston to Duke, and from mechanical engineering to the cutting edge of AI and materials science, offers valuable lessons for future students considering this unique program.
Can you describe your research focus during your master's program at Duke and how it integrates AI with material sciences?
"I'm a second-year master's student in Ken Gall's research group at Duke, focusing on structure-property relationships for 3D printed materials. Our lab works on lattice structures for biomedical implants, specifically customizable implants for bone regrowth. My thesis compares different 3D printing technologies and materials to study the mechanical properties of lattice structures with varying porosity."
"We test lattices with different porosity values, materials, and printing methods. We conduct mechanical testing like compression, torsion, and tensile testing to extract mechanical properties. I also perform preliminary fracture analysis using micro CT and scanning electron microscopy to image broken parts."
"To integrate AI, I'm creating a machine learning model that takes inputs like print method, material, porosity, and unit cell to predict the fracture surface of lattice structures. The model aims to predict fracture surface coefficients based on a combination of inputs, using a 4th order plane fitted to the fracture surface to characterize variability."
What motivated you to pursue the AI + Materials Graduate Certificate alongside your master's degree?
"Surprisingly, it wasn't something that was super on my mind when I came to Duke. I learned about the Artificial Intelligence for Material certificate during orientation from my Director of Master's Studies, George. He recommended classes that would help fulfill the certificate requirements, and as I started taking them, I found those classes to be interesting. I think even without his recommendation, if I still would have ended up in these classes, pursuing the certificate might have been a natural route after that."
How has the combination of AI and materials science in your studies prepared you for your future career goals?
"This program and certificate have given me a wealth of knowledge regarding how artificial intelligence and machine learning can be merged with materials. It's expanded my career options. Now, instead of a traditional manufacturing role or something in oil and gas, I can consider positions in composites engineering or materials engineering. These roles can incorporate different material science perspectives instead of just structural mechanics and dynamics, which is what my background is in. I'd still like to stay close to that, but I think the work I was able to put in learning material science and AI would be a nice way to incorporate in an industry position."
What's been key in getting you close to the finish line?
"The people I'm around have been key. Not just the people I made friends with in my classes and in this certificate program, but also the people I've had in my life before and the people I've been able to make friends with while I've been at Duke in general. I have a really beautiful support system. I find joy in surrounding myself with people that I view as smarter than me because I get to learn so much. I get to see people's work ethic and how they think about things."
What's your favorite part of research?
"I think it's just super interesting. I've really enjoyed the work that I'm doing. I've met some very good people and had some really great mentors in this process that have sparked this curiosity and made it fun. Doing something that I had genuine excitement for is what made this process the most fun. Research is a very difficult thing and takes up a lot of time, and being a grad student teaches you how to fail and then continue. I've experienced quite a bit of failure in my research process, but I've had this curiosity, and I've had a lot of fun doing the research, and I think that's been the best part of it."
As the first student to complete this certificate program, what advice would you give to other students considering this interdisciplinary path?
"I think the main advice would be not doing it by yourself. Find people who have similar interests or lie at that intersection of mechanical engineering and material science, or materials and artificial intelligence. Being able to pick their brains has been really good because it forces me to think about things in a different way."
"Another thing is just having a natural and general curiosity to learn new things. Even if some topics seem very niche or may not apply directly to you, still be curious and allow yourself to learn what it is. If it's not for you, it's not for you, but at least you have the wherewithal to understand it."
Learn more about the AI for Materials Graduate Certificate at https://mems.duke.edu/academics/certificates/ai-materials/