Nikita Letov

About Me

My expertise lies in mathematical modeling, computational geometry, and machine learning in the areas of engineering and applied physics. I currently lead research activities at Axya in Montréal.

Before that I was a graduate student of Yaoyao Fiona Zhao at McGill University and Clément Fortin at Skoltech, and a visiting researcher in the Airbus R&T campus, ISAE-SUPAERO, and C3D Labs.

For the parametric modeling software for cellular structures, see LatticeQuery.

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (2023)
McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada

Thesis title: Geometric modeling of heterogeneous cellular structures with functionally graded parameters. Download.
M.S. in Space and Engineering Systems (2018)
Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia

Thesis title: Integrating Concurrent Conceptual Systems Design with 3D Modeling. Download.
B.S. summa cum laude in Automation of Technological Processes and Production (2016)
Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Moscow, Russia

Thesis title: Development of automated storage and retrieval system.

Employment History

Axya Inc., Montréal, QC, Canada (2020–)
R&D Department
Airbus S.A.S., Toulouse, France (2017–18)
Visiting Researcher, Research and Technology Campus
Institut Supérieur de l'Aéronautique et de l'Espace (ISAE-SUPAERO), Toulouse, France (2018)
Visiting Researcher, Department of Complex Systems Engineering (DISC)
Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Moscow, Russia (2017–18)
Researcher, Space Center
Moscow Specialized Automotive Plant, Moscow, Russia (2016)
Process Engineer

Publications

Journal articles

2024 Letov, N. and Zhao, Y. F. "Geometric modeling of advanced cellular structures with skeletal graphs." International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 109087. doi:10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2024.109087
2023 Sarabhai, S., Letov, N., Kibsey, M., Sanchez, F., and Zhao, Y. F. "Understanding the flow and thermal characteristics of non-stochastic strut-based and surface-based lattice structures." Materials & Design, 227, 111787. doi:10.1016/j.matdes.2023.111787
2023 Gao, Z., Wang, H., Letov, N., Zhao, Y. F., Zhang, X., Wu, Y., Alex Leung, C. L., and Wang, H. "Data-driven design of biometric composite metamaterials with extremely recoverable and ultrahigh specific energy absorption." Composites Part B: Engineering, 251, 110468. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2022.110468
2023 Letov, N. and Zhao, Y. F. "Beam-based lattice topology transition with function representation." Journal of Mechanical Design, 145 (1), 011704. doi:10.1115/1.4055950
2022 Letov, N. and Zhao, Y. F. "A geometric modelling framework to support the design of heterogeneous lattice structures with non-linearly varying geometry." Journal of Computational Design and Engineering, 9 (5), 1565–1584. doi:10.1093/jcde/qwac076
2021 Letov, N., Velivela, P. T., Sun, S., and Zhao, Y. F. "Challenges and Opportunities in Geometric Modeling of Complex Bio-Inspired Three-Dimensional Objects Designed for Additive Manufacturing." Journal of Mechanical Design, 143 (12), 121705. doi:10.1115/1.4051720
2021 Liu, Y., Zheng, G., Letov, N., and Zhao, Y. F. "A Survey of Modeling and Optimization Methods for Multi-Scale Heterogeneous Lattice Structures." Journal of Mechanical Design, 143 (4), 040803. doi:10.1115/1.4047917
2016 Letov, N., Kuzmenko, E., Nenashev, A., and Gavryushin, S. "Development of Automated Dentistry Oriented Tool Storage System." Journal of Biomedical Radioelectronics, 3, 87–91. radiotec:2016-3-17794

Conference Proceedings

2023 Letov, N. and Zhao, Y. F. "Geometric modelling of heterogeneous lattice structures through function representation with LatticeQuery." Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED23), 3, 2045–2054. Bordeaux, France. doi:10.1017/pds.2023.205
2023 Velivela, P. T., Letov, N., Kong, L., and Zhao, Y. F. "A case study of multifunctional non-pneumatic tire design for the validation of meta-level design parameter in Domain Integrated Design (DID) method." Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED23), 3, 39–48. Bordeaux, France. doi:10.1017/pds.2023.5
2021 Velivela, P. T., Letov, N., Liu, Y., and Zhao, Y. F. "Application of domain integrated design methodology for bio-inspired design-a case study of suture pin design." Proceedings of the Design Society, 1, 487–496. Gothenburg, Sweden. doi:10.1017/pds.2021.49
2020 Letov, N. and Zhao, Y. F. "Volumetric Cells: A Framework for a Bio-Inspired Geometric Modelling Method to Support Heterogeneous Lattice Structures." Proceedings of the Design Society, 1, 295–304. Dubrovnik, Croatia. doi:10.1017/dsd.2020.164

Reports and Other Publications

2022 Letov, N. "jalovisko/LatticeQuery: (0.1LQ)." Zenodo. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6959068
2022 Yusuf Bekci, R., Mahdid, Y., Xing, J., Letov, N., Zhang, Y., and Pasha, Z "Probabilistic Models for Manufacturing Lead Times." arXiv:2204.13792v2
2017 Tarasov, I., Murzakhanov, I., Letov, N., Gabitov, I. "Energy flows in electric grids." Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology. Link.

Teaching

McGill University

MECH 290: Design Graphics for Mechanical Engineering
MECH 560: Eco-design and Product Life Cycle Assessment

Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology

MC 060001: Innovation Workshop

Talks

2023 "Talking about 3D printing." The Data-Driven Supply Chain Podcast (Axya, Inc.), Montréal, QC, Canada. Recording.
2018 "Solid modeling applications for complex technology roadmap systems." C3Days Conference (C3D Labs). Moscow, Russia.
2017 "Adapting C3D solid modeling kernel for aerospace applications." Skoltech Industrial Day (Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology). Moscow, Russia. Link. Download poster.

Software Development

Coding-wise, I mostly deal with Python for machine learning and data analytics, web-development, and engineering utilities; and with C++ for 3D modeling, computer graphics, CAD and other related software development fields.

You can explore my GitHub profile for more if interested.

Contact

nikita.letov [at] mail.mcgill.ca