From the Butterfly Effect to Additive Manufacturing

It’s been said that the flapping of a butterfly’s wings can influence predictions. While this metaphor, known as the butterfly effect, is often used to illustrate chaos theory, it can be applied literally to the academic career of Alena Kreitcberg, an institutional researcher in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Indeed, her fascination with an artificial butterfly made from a shape-memory alloy piqued her curiosity at the start of her university studies. This butterfly effect would have repercussions on her academic career, research career, and personal life.

A Fascination for Shape Memory Alloys

“The butterfly’s wings bent and unfolded along with the temperature of the material it was sitting on. This mechanical property based on the temperature gradient created the impression that the butterfly was alive,” recalls Alena. The demonstration left an indelible mark on Alena’s mind, then a young undergraduate student in materials physics at Moscow’s National University of Science and Technology (MISIS). So much so that, a few years later, she chose to pursue her postgraduate studies in a laboratory with expertise in shape memory alloys. It just happened to be the same laboratory that had designed the fascinating butterfly!

A Joint PhD

ÉTS institutional researcher Alena Kreitcberg

After completing her bachelor’s degree with honours, followed by a master’s degree at NUST MISIS, Alena Kreitcberg left Moscow for Montréal, where, from 2011 to 2015, she completed a double PhD under the supervision of Vladimir Brailovski of ÉTS and Sergey D. Prokoshkin of NUST MISIS. Her research focused on improving the functional properties of nanostructured Ti-Ni shape memory alloys using thermomechanical treatments.

One thing led to another, and from 2015 to April 2022, she held the positions of teaching assistant for laboratory and practical work, research associate, and postdoctoral fellow in the Mechanical Engineering Department at ÉTS.

Additive Manufacturing: An Innovative Process

“I found it very exciting to work with Professor Brailovski, who specializes in additive manufacturing, as there aren’t many studies on manufacturing parts with this innovative process,” she adds. Industrial partners Héroux-Devtek, Pratt and Whitney Canada, Bell Helicopter, Fusia and Rio Tinto Metal Powders allowed her to reach the full potential of this process.

The Need for Further Research

She then went on to work at Pratt and Whitney Canada, where she had the opportunity to test materials and gain a better understanding of engine failure mechanisms. This experience has greatly contributed to her professional development. “In addition to working alongside a dedicated and highly competent team, I understood the need to pursue my research in the field,” she explains.

The ÉTS Program for Women in Engineering

Since June 2023, thanks to the Femmes de génie (Women in Engineerig) program, Alena Kreitcberg, now an institutional researcher, is pursuing her research in additive manufacturing and materials with the function gradient. With their contradictory properties of high hardness and ductility, mechanical strength and thermal conductivity, superior resistance to high temperatures, fatigue and creep, these new materials open up new horizons in multiple sectors, notably aeronautics and healthcare.
Since her arrival in Quebec, much water has flowed under the bridge. She took the time to learn French, thanks to a course at Dawson College, conversations with colleagues, and even with her Quebec sweetheart… The flutter of a butterfly’s wings—even if artificial—can have a huge impact!

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank Power Corporation of Canada, whose generous contribution has enabled us to fund this researcher’s position.