CAD at the Nano Scale

This article focuses on the nanotechnology-related research work at Georgina Institute of Technology. The Georgia Institute of Technology’s Multiscale Systems Engineering Research Group is working to integrate the modeling and simulation features of today’s computer-aided design (CAD) with materials design capability. These integrated features would be available at the nano, meso, micro, and macro scales, which is called multiscale CAD. In future CAD systems, engineers will be able to zoom in to specify material morphology and distributions. Offering the capability of designing materials in CAD requires the representation of many different kinds of shapes. The multiscale CAD would also allow engineers to design better functional materials, such as state-change materials. The geometric modeling of microstructures that make up material is still in its infancy. The efficiency and controllability of complex and porous shapes are the most important research topics for the interactive modeling and design of microstructures.