Meet the 2024 KISS Affiliates
Marlini Simoes
Caltech's Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow
Hometown: United Kingdom - Portugal
Date of this Interview: January 10, 2024
What do you research?
My research aims at developing a new generation of material structures that can provide hitherto dynamic mechanical behaviour by expanding the frontiers of manufacturing engineering technologies for space applications and beyond. To achieve this, I combine computational modeling, a large range of material characterisation techniques and mechanical testing (impact at different velocities), as well as manufacturing technologies.
Why does space inspire you?
Because of its unique and extremely challenging environment with conditions such as zero gravity, high-energy radiation, ultrahigh vacuum, extreme cycling temperatures and atomic oxygen. These conditions which are different from Earth, increase my desire to understand and develop new materials and structures that can perform successfully in those demanding space conditions, hence allowing us to continue exploring space in deep.
If you could instantly travel to any point in the universe, where would you choose to go?
To a black hole!
Where can you be found when you’re not conducting research?
Jogging around Pasadena.
What book do you wish you could read for the first time again?
A short history of nearly everything - A journey through space and time.
Designing, manufacturing and testing material structures to resist impacts in space