Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
1000 Hilltop Circle Baltimore, MD 21250
Email: mzavala1@umbc.edu
Mitchel Zavala is currently a second year graduate student at UMBC working in the MMCL. His research is focused on the synthesis, mechanical characterization, and microstructural analysis of aluminum and copper covetic materials. Covetics are a “new” class of materials with high carbon content in excess of their solute solubility potentially enhancing the mechanical, and corrosive properties of ubiquitous metals such as aluminum. Having worked the past two summers at the Naval Surface Warfare, Carderock Division (NSWCCD), Mitchel has worked on multiple projects such as addressing the problem of stress corrosion cracking being experienced by in-service cruiser ships containing 5xxx series magnesium enriched aluminum alloys, and the synthesis and characterization of copper covetic materials. Mitchel received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2014 at UMBC, and is on track to receive his Master’s Degree in 2016.
