Overall, the action has generated a significant impact, as it advanced the field of machine learning-based prediction and design of architected materials, a field which is still in its infancy and has several potential applications e.g. in the design of tough structural and aerospace components, as well as biomedical implants and sports equipment. So far, these designs were carried out predominantly following a trial-and-error approach and the design space was confined to regular periodic patterns. The project showed that it is possible to achieve improved mechanical behavior by extending the design to aperiodic disordered architectures, and in fact, in an experience-free data-driven manner. Moreover, practical computational tools were developed and became available to the public as part of the action.
Beyond the general impact, the action has a positive impact to university students through the supervision of PhD, Master and Bachelor theses, the teaching of a course on Multiscale Modeling by the ER, and the participation in outreach events at ETH. Also it has a positive impact in engaging high school students to pursue science and engineering through virtual lectures in schools Europe-wide. Finally. the results were further disseminated in the general public through participation in the European Researchers Night event 'Intersections'.
Additionally, the action has had a significant impact on the future career prospects of the experienced researcher (ER), since it helped secure a faculty interview at a major European university, according to the Career Development Plan. The various training activities that took place (high performance computing course at ETH Zurich, participation in the MaP Data-Driven Materials and Processes Workshop at ETH Zurich, participation in the Leadership Essential course for Postdocs, as well as practical training in the additive fabrication and experimental lab of the supervisor), helped expand the expertise and competency of the ER in machine learning-based design and fabrication, as well as physical and computational modeling of architected materials. The ER also taught a graduate level course at ETH focused on Multiscale Modeling, gaining important experience as a lecturer, while he also supervised 1 PhD, 3 Master and 2 Bachelor theses, and 1 visiting Master student research project. Finally, the ER was trained in grant writing, by preparing and submitting a Swiss National Science Foundation proposal jointly with the supervisor and two other postdoctoral scholars in the supervisor’s research group. Academic collaborations were formed with two institutions, the University of Cambridge and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Finally, the ER carried out visits to the National Technical University of Athens, Greece (School of Applied Mathematics and Physics, School of Civil Engineering) where he engaged in fruitful discussions with faculty members, and promoted the research carried out as part of the action. All of the above have significantly enhanced the network of the ER in Europe.
