College of Engineering and Polymer Science: 2022 Sponsored Research Update, January 1st to June 30th

Congratulations to the following faculty who have won new awards from January 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022.

Biomedical Engineering

• Hossein Tavana, Ph.D. received $300,000 from The National Science Foundation to study how breast cancer cells invade adjacent healthy tissue.
• Hossein Tavana, Ph.D. received $1,132,200 from the U.S. Army Medical Research Command to study how breast cancer cells that metastasize to bone remain dormant for many years to ultimately develop incurable metastatic cancer.

Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering

• David M. Bastidas, Ph.D. received $175,000 from Sebela Women’s Health to evaluate the corrosion performance of newly developed Copper Intrauterine Devices (Cu-IUDs). In particular, the influence of in-vitro release (IVR) of copper ions processes as well as the corrosion resistance of copper intrauterine devices in simulated uterine solution (SUS) will be studied. The new alloys are to be used in the medical and pharmaceutical industries for contraception purposes.
• David M. Bastidas, Ph.D. received $61,000 from American Maglev Technology technologies. This project aims to research on the frontiers of the knowledge of light aluminum alloys and composites structures for corrosion protection and insulation in structural applications. In addition, these novel resilient materials will also contribute towards reduction in maintenance cost requirements.
• David M. Bastidas, Ph.D. received $10,000 from the Firestone Research Initiative to reveal the Influence of Residual Stresses on Hydrogen Embrittlement Catastrophic Failure Mechanisms of Additively Manufactured Stainless Steel Components.
• David M. Bastidas, Ph.D. received $10,000 from FRC to study the stress corrosion cracking of 3D printed stainless steel alloys under harsh environments. The influence of microstructure and correlation with electrochemical properties will help to elucidate corrosion mechanisms.

Civil Engineering

• Nariman Mahabadi, Ph.D. received $15,000 from the Timken Foundation Center for Precision Manufacturing to study the roughness of the surface of precision manufacturing parts using Confocal Chromatic Sensors.
• Nariman Mahabadi, Ph.D. received $7,000 as a Firestone research initiative to study the engineering properties of lunar soil.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Yilmaz Sozer, Ph.D. and Jose Alexis De Abreu Garcia, Ph.D. received $250,000 from the National Academy of Sciences and the U.S. Department of Transportation to study the low-level leakage currents in third rail DC transit systems to develop a sensor for faulty mitigation.
• Kye-Shin Lee, Ph.D. received $73,400 from The National Institute of Health to develop an ambulatory ECG device that monitors heart activity while the patient is performing routine activities. This technology will enable early detection and prevention of heart failures which is a leading cause of death in the U.S.

Mechanical Engineering

• Siamak Farhad, Ph.D. received $50,000 from The National Science Foundation to design and build a new machine for recycling lithium-ion batteries to separate precision materials and return back to the battery manufacturing loop.
• Jiang John Zhe, Ph.D. received $85,333 from ZSense and The National Science Foundation to develop AI based on intelligent sensing technologies for online hydraulic fluid and lubricant property monitor, aiming to avoid sudden machine failure and reduce maintenance costs.

School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering

• James Eagan, Ph.D. received $131,479 from The National Science Foundation as part of his CAREER award to study new materials synthesized from carbon dioxide. Through his work, it was previously discovered that by incorporating CO₂ the polymer becomes biodegradable, but now he is working to significantly improve the properties.
• Li Jia, Ph.D. received $21,065 from The University of Twente and the European Union to develop rubber compounds for tires on Mars.
• Li Jia, Ph.D. received $ $547,564 from the REMADE Institute of USA Department of Energy and Ohio Department of Higher Education to develop technologies for recycling mixed polymer wastes, which will move the U.S. closer to the nation’s energy conservation and emissions reduction targets.
• Li Jia, Ph.D. received $38,013 from U.S. Zinc Corp to study zinc oxide accelerators for rubber vulcanization.
• Li Jia, Ph.D., Ali Dhinojwala, Ph.D., James Eagan, Ph.D., Mark Foster, Ph.D., Sadhan Jana, Ph.D., Toshikazu Miyoshi, Ph.D., and Fardin Khabaz, Ph.D. received $1,355,454 from the Sustainable Manufacturing Innovation Alliance and the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a way of recycling mixed plastics by reinforcing them with a new polymer additive.
• Mesfin Tsige, Ph.D. received $321,000 from the National Science Foundation to advancing the fundamental understanding of the solution and interfacial properties of a type of polymer called polycatenanes, opening a door toward using them in molecular-level applications such as sensors, motors, and actuators.
• Junpeng Wang, Ph.D. received $420,000 from The National Science Foundation to develop polymers with degradation properties that can be controlled by mechanical force. This will lead to sustainable solutions for plastics used in products that are significant contributors to environmental waste, like the automobile industry.
• Shi-Qing Wang, Ph.D. received $480,000 from The National Science Foundation to examine the foundation of fracture mechanics of polymers (a subject devoted to the study of mechanical failure in presence of cracks) to make stronger polymeric materials.
• Weinan Xu, Ph.D. received $250,000 from The National Science Foundation Solid State and Materials Chemistry Program to develop flexible multifunctional optical materials which will contribute to next-generation flexible displays and LEDs.

Dean’s Office

• Heidi E. Cressman was awarded $2,500 from the Ohio Space Grant Consortium for the "Future Earth" project to educate middle school children about topics in sustainability, renewable energy (specifically wind and solar) and engineering.

Interdisciplinary

• Lu-Kwang Ju, Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering and Anil Patnaik, Ph.D. in Civil Engineering received additional $175,972 from Vandex Isoliermittel GmbH, Germany (cumulative $711,363 over four years) to develop a repair and permeability reducing microbial additive for cracking filling and sealing of concrete.

• Shing-Chung "Josh" Wong, Ph.D., Jae-Won Choi, Ph.D. and Ajay Mahajan, Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering along with Sadhan Jana, Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering received $49,999 as part of a five-year grant from the National Science Foundation. The funding from NSF provides a venue for CenTiRe and its partner, Virginia Tech, to advance pre-competitive tire research and education in the United States.

• Sadhan Jana, Ph.D., Fardin Khabaz, Ph.D., and Junpeng Wang, Ph.D. in the School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, KT Tan, Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, En Cheng, Ph.D. and Zhonghui Duan, Ph.D. in Computer Science, and Nidaa Makki, Ph.D. in the LBJFF School of Education, received $2 million from The National Science Foundation Research Traineeship program to fund a graduate level traineeship program for a select number of UA students enrolled in mechanical engineering, computer science, polymer science, or polymer engineering graduate programs.

• Teresa Cutright, Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Joan Carletta, Ph.D. in the Dean’s Office, Edward Evans, Ph.D. in Chemical, Biomolecular and Corrosion Engineering, Nidaa Makki, Ph.D. in the LBJFF School of Education, and Amir Nourhani, Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering received $1,499,239 from the National Science Foundation for scholarships and mentoring for students pursuing BS degrees in engineering (biomedical, chemical, civil, computer, electrical), biology and chemistry.

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Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.