Research

Elizabeth's doctoral research is driven by an interest in metallurgy and the behavior of aerospace structures under varying conditions. She specializes in composite materials and design, aiming to enhance reliability and safety. With the push for weight reduction in aviation as a catalyst for innovation, her work contributes to developing more efficient, lightweight materials to minimize environmental impact.

Research Interests: Composite Materials, Engineering Machine Design, and Manufacturing.

Elizabeth is adept at various research techniques relevant to aerospace engineering, her expertise further strengthened during her tenure at the Aerospace Structures and Materials Lab (ASML) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), where she explored sustainable approaches to managing end-of-life aircraft waste by researching methods to compact thermosetting plastics—materials commonly used in aerospace for their strength and heat resistance, but which cannot be remelted or reshaped. Her goal was to make these non-recyclable materials suitable for recycling, reducing environmental impact, and supporting circularity in the aerospace industry.

10th Annual Graduate Research Symposium

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute | April 11, 2025 

Elizabeth Ameke had the honor of presenting her work at the 10th Annual Graduate Research Symposium hosted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Her poster, "Finite Element Analysis of Low-Velocity Impact Damage in Carbon Fiber Composites Using Siemens NX," was featured during the Poster Presentation and Networking Reception held in the CBIS Atriums.

Her work focuses on modeling and simulating impact-induced delamination in aerospace-grade composite materials. Through finite element methods, Elizabeth is investigating the structural response of carbon fiber laminates under low-velocity impact, contributing to broader efforts in damage prediction and structural health monitoring in aerospace systems.

The symposium showcased innovative research from across disciplines, and Elizabeth was grateful for the opportunity to share her findings and engage in insightful conversations with fellow researchers, faculty, and industry guests.