(7bw) Electrically Conductive Nanomaterials and Their Multifunctional Polymeric Nanocomposites for Energy, Health, and Environment

Conductive filler/polymer nanocomposites (CPNs) have recently drawn great interest to be employed in various applications, due to their superior properties such as tunable electrical conductivity, light weight, low cost, corrosion resistance, processability, etc. (compare with properties of currently used metals). In fact, the polymer matrix is insulative; however, incorporating a low content of conductive filler transforms it into conductive via forming a conductive network. Thus, CPNs benefit from both tunable electrical conductivity (tunable level of conductive network) and the inherent properties of the polymer matrix. Tunable electrical conductivity of CPNs allows them to be used in a broad range of applications. Among them, energy storage (capacitors), electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding (electromagnetic protection of commercial and medical electronic devices), electrostatic discharge dissipation (packaging of sensitive electronics), gas sensors (medical diagnosis, air quality monitoring, food quality control), structural health monitoring (smart pipeline coating), etc. are in the scope of my research interest.

My expertise covers (a) synthesis and characterization of different types of conductive nanofillers, including carbon nanotube, metallic nanowires, graphene, and graphene nanoribbon, (b) conductive filler-polymer blending and characterization, and (c) development of advanced multifunctional polymeric nanocomposites with enhanced electrical, dielectric, electromagnetic, gas sensing, mechanical, thermal, tribological, optical, and rheological properties. The multifuctionality of the developed nanocomposites arises from versatile properties of the synthesized nanofillers. In fact, what makes my expertise distinct compared to the other researchers in my field is that my academic career conferred me the knowledge of the whole hierarchy of developing advanced multifunctional nanocomposites, i.e. nanomaterial synthesis and characterization, blending nanomaterials and polymers to obtain desired morphologies, and characterizing a broad spectrum of the final properties of the developed nanocomposites.

Teaching Interests:

My background in Chemical and Polymer Engineering along with my research field in developing and characterizing multifunctional polymeric nanocomposites makes me confident in teaching a wide range of courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels in the Departments of Chemical, Polymer, and Materials Engineering. These courses include, but not limited to, Analytical and Numerical Mathematics, Mechanics of Composite Materials, Physical Chemistry of Polymers, Introduction to Polymer Engineering, Mechanical Properties of Polymers, Polymer Processing, Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamic, Experimental Design, Pinch Analysis, Corrosion, Principles of Combustion Engineering, Unit Operation, Kinetics & Reactor Design, Materials & Energy Balance, etc. I am also able to teach some of the introductory-level undergraduate classes in Chemistry and Mathematics. I also would like to design and teach interdisciplinary courses such as multi-functional composites.