On the morning of July 15, 2025, at the Traditional Hall, 97 Vo Van Tan campus, the Center for Technical Applications and Technology Solutions (CEATS) – Management & Science Cooperation Department, in coordination with the Graduate School of Ho Chi Minh City Open University (HCMCOU), organized a specialized scientific workshop on “Mechanical Metamaterials Synthesized by Topology Optimization.”
The workshop was honoured by the participation of leading speakers: Prof. Jean-François Ganghoffer and Dr. Do Nam from the University of Lorraine, Nancy-Metz, France; Assoc. Prof. Dr Le Thanh Cuong – Director of CEATS Centre; Dr Tran Thanh Danh – Vice Dean of the Graduate School, and the interest of lecturers, researchers, and graduate students in the field.
The workshop provided in-depth knowledge of advanced research fields. It opened new directions in the design and fabrication of materials with superior mechanical properties, meeting diverse needs in engineering and industry.
The main content of the workshop provided participants with deep insight into topology optimisation methods for synthesising mechanical metamaterials. Specifically, this method is based on the topology derivative – a powerful mathematical tool that allows for the determination of optimal changes in material structure.
A crucial highlight emphasised by the speakers was the key role of material symmetry in shaping and expressing their homogenised properties. The search for optimal microstructures is performed within specific symmetry classes, which are characterised by the invariants of the homogenised moduli. Thanks to this advanced methodology, scientists can efficiently synthesise periodic microstructures that exhibit remarkable behaviours.
Vivid numerical examples were presented to highlight the power of the topology optimisation method for synthesising architectural materials and metamaterials to meet specific requirements.
The workshop is a clear testament to the University’s strategic orientation towards the internationalisation of education, especially at the postgraduate level, helping learners and lecturers directly access global knowledge and research trends, thereby contributing to enhancing the position and prestige of Ho Chi Minh City Open University in the international scientific community.
Article: Thao Anh
Photos: Minh Huy