Dr. Davood Askari Ph.D

Education

• PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2009
• MSc, Mechanical Engineering, Eastern Mediterranean University, 2002
• BSc, Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Iran 1997

Research interests

• Synthesis, characterization, and applications of: carbon nanotubes with various geometrical configurations and architectures
• Fabrication, characterization, and applications of individual and highly aligned arrays of metallic NanoNeedles
• Synthesis, characterization, and applications of hydrophobic and superhydrophobic thin films in micro-fluidic and nano-fluidic devices
• Design, manufacturing, and testing of composites and nanocomposites
• Nanoindentation of nanocomposites, biological hard tissues, and hard shells
• Numerical and analytical modeling of nanostructures, composites, and nanocomposites
• Design and Analysis of Mechanical Subsystems

   

• Properties improvement of potting paste materials for processing and repair of laminated and sandwich composites for applications in aerospace structures and wind turbine blades 
• Properties improvement of laminated UHMWPE composites for impact resistant applications 
• Growth of carbon nanotubes and nanostructures on different materials and micro-fibers
• Chemical Functionalization, characterization, and applications of carbon nanostructures in nanocomposites 
• Design, analysis, fabrication and testing of composite materials and structures
• Processing, fabrication, and characterization 3-D reinforced nanocomposites 
• Design and analysis of composite bolted joints and adhesive bonds
• Design and analysis of composite pressure vessels with different geometry configurations and loading conditions
• Design and optimization of room temperature metallic bonding.
• Analytical and finite element modeling of composite materials, carbon nanotubes, nanocomposites, smart materials and smart structures
• Fabrication of individual and arrays of aligned and suspended single crystalline Gallium-Silver Nanoneedles
• Self-assembly of micro droplets of Gallium over micro pillar arrays for nano-device fabrication
• Growth optimization of one-dimensional metallic nanostructures for atomic force and probe microscopy 
• Synthesis of hydrophobic and super-hydrophobic coatings for the enhancement of fluid flow inside micro-channels and around bluff bodies
• Design and fabrication of nano-bio-devices using nanomaterials and nanostructures 
• Hardness testing of metallic materials 
• Finite element modeling of nanoindentation of thin films and nanowires-like structures
• Experimental characterization of thin-films and composite materials using a nanoindenter 
• Design and manufacturing of robotic cells, mechanical systems, clamping devices, and robotic grippers and end-effectors
• Virtual Reality modeling and simulation, CIM, CAD/CAM, Industrial automation, Robotics, and automated machines

Courses taught

Wichita State University

• ME 439 – Mechanical Engineering Design I
• ME 541 – Mechanical Engineering Design II
• ME 650T – Manufacturing of Composites
• ME 650TL – Manufacturing of Composites Lab
• ME 762 – Polymeric Composite Materials
• ME 876 – MS Thesis in Mechanical Engineering
• ME 890 – Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering
• ME 890 – Advanced Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering
• ME 976 – PhD Dissertation in Mechanical Engineering

Other Universities

• Mechanical Subsystem Design
• Manufacturing Process Technologies
• Engineering Materials
• Engineering Materials Lab
• Engineering Graphics
• First Year University Seminar
• CAD/CAM Lab
• Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems Lab

Selected publications

• Sritharan, R., and Askari, Davood, “Enhancing the Short-Beam Strength of Composite Laminates using Helical Carbon Nanotubes,” Composites Part B: Engineering, Vol. 221, 108999, (2021) , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2021.108999 (First Published Online: May 18, 2021).
• Taklimi, S. R., Ghazinezami, A., and Askari, Davood, “Chemical Functionalization of Helical Carbon Nanotubes: Influence of Sonication Time and Concentrations of Sulfuric and Nitric Acids with 3:1 Mixing ratio,” Journal of Nanomaterials, Vol. 2019, Article ID 2836372, 10 pages, (2019). https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2836372.  
• Vijayan, R., Ghazinezami, A., Taklimi, S. R., Khan M. Y., and Askari, Davood, “The Geometrical Advantages of Helical Carbon Nanotubes for High-Performance Multifunctional Polymeric Nanocomposites,” Composites Part B: Engineering, Vol. 156, pp. 28 – 42,  (2019), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.08.035.
• Lemay G. S. and Askari Davood, “Advanced Algorithms for Ultrasonic Detection of Peel Ply at the Bondline of Out of-Autoclave Composite Assemblies,” Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 53, No. 2, pp. 245–259, (2019). DOI: 10.1177/0021998318781887.
• Askari, Davood and Ghasemi Nejhad, M. N., “Cylindrical Orthotropic Constitutive Modeling of Matrix-Filled Carbon Nanotubes: Transverse Mechanical Properties and Responses,” Journal of Sandwich Structures and Materials, Vol. 22, N0. 7, pp. 2330 – 2363, (2018). https://doi.org/10.1177/1099636218795377.
•  *Kalamkarov, A. L., *Askari, Davood, and Ghasemi Nejhad, M. N., “Transversely Isotropic Constitutive Properties Modeling of Tubular Sandwich Composite Structures: Axial Mechanical Properties,” Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, Vol. 27, No 10, pp. 1349–1369 (2014), doi: 10.1177/0892705712473621 (*equal contribution).
• Kumar, S., Lopez, C., Probst, O., Francisco, G., Askari, Davood, and Yang, Y., “Flow Past a Rotationally Oscillating Cylinder,” Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 735, pp. 307-346 (2013), doi:10.1017/jfm.2013.469.
• Askari, Davood and Ghasemi Nejhad, M. N., “Effects of Vertically Aligned Carbon Nanotubes on Shear Performance of Laminated Nanocomposites Bonded Joints,” Science and Technology of Advanced Materials, Vol. 13, No. 4, pp. 045002, (2012), doi:10.1088/1468-6996/13/4/045002.
• Askari, Davood and Feng, G. “Finite Element Analysis of Nanowire Indentation on a Flat Substrate,” Journal of Materials Research, Vol. 27, Issue 03, pp 586-591, (2012), doi:10.1557/jmr.2011.420.
• Jalilian, R., Rivera, J., Askari Davood, Arva, S., Rathfon, J. M., Cohn, R. W., and Yazdanpanah, Mehdi M. "Towards Wafer-Scale Patterning of Freestanding Intermetallic Nanowires," Nanotechnology, Vol. 22, No. 29, pp. 295601-295607, (2011), doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/22/29/295601. 

Graduate Coordinator for MS in Materials Engineering: 2020 – Pres.

College of Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS.

 

Associate Professor: 2019 – Pres.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS.

 

Assistant Professor:     2013 – Aug. 2019

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS.

 

Assistant Professor:                           2009 – May 2013

Department of Engineering, University of Texas at Brownsville^#, Brownsville, TX.

Current name: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX

 

Post Doctoral Research Associate:         2009 – Sep. 2009

Nano-Bio-Mechanical Characterization Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Villanova University, Villanova, PA.

 

Research Assistant:        2003 – Jan. 2009

Intelligent and Composite Materials Laboratory (ICML), Advanced Materials Manufacturing Laboratory (AMML), and Hawaii Nanotechnology Laboratory (HNL), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI.

 

Teaching and Research Assistant:     2000 – Aug. 2003

CAD/CAM and CIM Laboratories, Eastern Mediterranean University, Famagusta, Northern Cyprus.

 

 Design Engineer:                                                                May 1997 – Oct. 2000

Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC), Sharif University of Technology and National Institute of Industrial Developments, Tehran, Iran.

 

Visiting Research Scientist:          2010 – 2021  

NaugaNeedles LLC, Louisville, KY.

 

Visiting Researcher: 7-18, 2005; Dec. 14-23 & Jul. 1-12, 2006; Sept. 4-14, 2007

Electro-Optic Research Institute and Nanotechnology Center, University of Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.

Best Paper/Poster Awarded:

1.      Sritharan R. and Askari, D., “Application of Helical Carbon Nanotubes for the Improvement of Mechanical Properties of Laminated Composites and Bonded Joints,” 16th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP), Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, May 1, 2020. (Won the 1st Place Best Poster Award University-wide among all the colleges)

2.      Sritharan, R., and Askari, Davood, “Effects of Carbon Nanotube Geometries on Flexural Properties and Shear Strength of Laminated Polymeric Nanocomposites,” Proceedings of The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX), Anaheim, CA, Oct.  23 – 26, 2019, Paper # TS19-0073 (Poster Presentation – Selected as one of the runner ups for best poster award and recognized at the closing luncheon, Composite World Magazine, and SAMPE Journal).   

3.      Sritharan R., Taklimi S. R., Ghazinezami, A., and Askari, Davood, “Mechanical Properties Improvement of Polymeric Nanocomposites Reinforced with Chemically Functionalized Helical Carbon Nanotubes: Influence of Processing Time and Molarities of Acids,” 15th Annual Symposium on Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP), Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, April 26, 2019. (Won the 4th Place Universit- wide and 1st Place among the Engineering posters)

4.      Zoghi, S, Askari, Davood., Ghazinezami, M., “Mechanical properties and applications of nano carbon-based materials,” Proceedings of SPIE Optics + Photonics and Nanoscience + Engineering, San Diego, CA, Aug. 17 – 21, 2014, Paper # 9168-31 (Poster Presentation). Selected as the Best Poster Presentation Award.

• Askari Davood “Nanocomposites with Interlocking Nanostructures,” US – Patent, Application Number 16/146,839, Filing Date: Sept. 28, 2018, Publication Number: US 2019/0308905 A1, Publication Date: Oct. 10, 2019. 
• Askari Davood, Taklimi S. R., and Ghazinezami A. “Helical Carbon Nanotubes,” US – Patent, Application Number: 16/421,049, Filing Date: May 23, 2019, Publication Number: US 2019/0382269 A1, Publication Date: Dec. 19, 2019.
• Ghasemi Nejhad, M. N., Veedu, P. V., Askari, Davood, Yuen, A., “Polymer Matrix Composites with Nano-scale Reinforcement,” US – Patent, Publication Number: US RE45911 E1, Date: March 1, 2016.
• Ghasemi Nejhad, M. N., Veedu, P. V., Cao, A., Ajayan, P., Askari, Davood, “Three-Dimensionally Reinforced Multifunctional Nanocomposites,” US – International Patent, Issued Numbers: AT444329T, AU2006350255B2, CA2632202C, CN101365740B, DE602006009559D1, DK1966286T3, EP01966286B1, ES2334165T3, HK1122054A1, KR101316797B1, MX2008006854A, MY143396A, RU2423394C2, US08148276B2, WO2008054409A8, Awarded date: April 3, 2012. (Awarded)
• Ghasemi Nejhad, M. N., Veedu, P. V., Askari, Davood, Yuen, A., “Polymer Matrix Composites with Nano-scale Reinforcement,” US – Patent, Issued No.: 7,875,212, Awarded date: Jan. 25, 2011. (Awarded)
• Ghasemi Nejhad, M. N., Veedu, P. V., Askari, Davood, Yuen, A., “Polymer Matrix Composites with Nano-scale Reinforcement,” US – Patent, Issued No.: 7,658,870, Awarded date: Feb. 9, 2010. (Awarded)

• Askari Davood (PI) “Improvement of the Mechanical Properties of puttying Materials using Carbon Nanotube Reinforcements,” Spirit AeroSystems Inc., Dec. 2019 – Oct. 2021, $13,915.
• Askari Davood (PI) “High-Performance Multifunctional Nanocomposites Reinforced with Highly Interlocked and Chemically Functionalized Helical Carbon Nanotube,” John A. See Award, Wichita State University, WSU-Internal, April. 01, 2019 – Current, $14,500 – Direct cost.
• Askari, Davood (PI) “An Innovative High-Performance Nanocomposite Materials System Reinforced with Highly-Interlocked Carbon Nanotubes,” John A. See Award, Wichita State University, WSU-Internal, Submitted on Feb. 1, 2017 - Current, $16,000 – Direct cost.
• Askari Davood (PI) “Community Catalysis Cohort for Engaging Faculty on Engineering Unleashed Online Community” Kern Family Foundation, April 15, 2020 – Oct 15, 2020, $2,500 – Direct cost.
• Askari Davood (PI) “Community Catalysis Cohort for Engaging Faculty on Engineering Unleashed Online Community” Kern Family Foundation, Sept. 2, 2019 – March 15, 2020, $2,500 – Direct cost.
• Askari Davood (PI) “Performance Improvements of Composite Bonded Joint Assemblies Using Mechanically Interlocked Helical Carbon Nanotubes,” Award for University Research/Creative Projects in Summer (ARCS), Wichita State University, May 01 – Aug. 31, 2019, $4,000 – Direct cost.
• Askari Davood (PI) “Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) Integrated e-Learning Modules Mini-Grant,” Kern Family Foundation, April 28, 2018 – May 15, 2019, $2,000 – Direct cost.
• Eslami A. (PI) and Askari Davood (Co-PI) “Design and Fabrication of a Micro Communication Device for Biosensing,” Multidisciplinary Research Project Award (MURPA), Wichita State University, Proposal No: 180204, WSU-Internal, May 1, 2018 – Aug. 31, 2018, $7,500 – Direct cost.
• Askari, Davood, ”Integrating Curriculum with Entrepreneurial-Mindset (ICE),” and becoming a Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network  (KEEN) Innovative Teaching (KIT) Faculty, Kern Family Foundation, June 7, 2016 – Sept. 2017, $3,250 – Direct cost.
• Askari, Davood (PI) “Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes Assemblies for Nanocomposites Applications,” award for University Research/Creative Projects (URCA), Wichita State University, July 1, 2016 – 30, June, 2017, $ 4,500 – Direct cost.
• Islam, N. (PI), Askari, Davood (Co-PI), Kumar, S. (Co-PI), Yang, Y. (Co-PI), Ciocanel, C. (Co-PI), “Acquisition of Micro Particle Image Velocimetry (micro-PIV) System for Microfluidics and Biomedical Applications,” NSF-MRI, Proposal No: 1338008, Sept. 1, 2013 – Aug. 31, 2016, $ 173,274.
• Huq, H. F. (PI), Askari, Davood (Co-PI), Mihut, D. (Co-PI), Islam, N. (Co-PI), and Tidrow S. C., “Acquisition of a Sputtering System for Device and Material Research (SDMR) at Hispanic Gateway Institutions,” NSF-MRI, Proposal No: 1229523, Sept. 1, 2012 – Aug. 31, 2015, $215,000.
• Martirosyan, K. S. (PI), Askari, Davood (Co-PI), Islam, N. (Co-PI), Touhami, A. (Co-PI), and Trad, T. (Co-PI), “NUE: Development of the Nanoscale Engineering Concentration (NEC) at the University of Texas at Brownsville,” NSF-Nanotechnology Undergraduate Education, Proposal No: 1138205, Oct. 1, 2011 – Sept. 30, 2016, $200,000.
• Askari, Davood “Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes and Fabrication and Testing of 3D Reinforced Nanocomposites,” Olegario Vazquez Rana/Frances Rusteberg Faculty Fellowship, College of Science, Math, and Technology, UTB, Feb. 1, 2011 – Aug. 31, 2012, $2,350 – Direct cost.

• Serving as the Graduate Coordinator for the MS in Materials Engineering Program under the CoE at Wichita State University, Oct. 2020 – Present.
• Serving as a member in “COE Committee on Faculty Workload Policy,” College of Engineering (CoE), Wichita State University (WSU), Sept. 2019 – Present.
• Serving as a member in “COE Awards Committee,” College of Engineering (CoE), WSU, Sept. 2019 – Present.
• Serving as a member in “COE – KEEN Committee,” College of Engineering (CoE), WSU, Sept. 2016 – Present.
• Served as a member in “COE – Diversity Committee,” College of Engineering (CoE), WSU, Sept. 2013 – Sept. 2019.
• Served as a member in “Dean’s committee for the development of a Graduate Certificate program in Sustainable Engineering,” University of Texas at Brownsville, 2009 – 2013.
• Served as a member in “Dean’s committee for Nanotechnology Research and Developments,” University of Texas at Brownsville, 2009 – 2013.
• Served as a member in “Dean’s committee for New Student Recruitments, University of Texas at Brownsville, 2009 – 2013.

Dr. Askari's research is mainly focused on design, modeling, analysis, fabrication, characterization, and applications of advanced material systems and structures ranging from macro to nanoscale.

(a) Research interests: 

1. Synthesis, characterization, and applications of 3 – D carbon nanostructures
2. Fabrication, characterization, and applications of intermetallic silver gallium NanoNeedles
3. Synthesis, characterization, and applications of hydrophobic and superhydrophobic thin films
4. Design, analysis, manufacturing, and testing of composites and multifunctional nanocomposites
5. Nanoindentation of nanocomposites, biological hard tissues, and hard shells
6. Numerical and analytical modeling of nanostructures, composites, and nanocomposites
7. Design and Analysis of Mechanical Subsystems

(b) Research Projects: 

1. Synthesis, characterization, and applications of fibrous carbon nanostructures
2. Functionalization of carbon nanostructures
3. Design, fabrication, and testing of 3 – D reinforced multifunctional laminated nanocomposites
4. Synthesis, characterization, optimization, and applications of aligned intermetallic nanoneedles
5. Synthesis and characterization of room temperature conductive glue

(c) Existing Research Facilities/Equipment in Lab: 

1. Chemical Vapor Deposition System for growing 3 – D carbon nanostructures
2. Convection Ovens
3. Hot Press
4. Resin Transfer Molding Machine
5. Universal Testing Machine

Personal Interests and Hobbies

• Rock & Ice Climbing, Mountaineering, Caving/Spelunking, Hiking
• Snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, Skydiving, 
• Kiteboarding, surfing, bogie boarding, SCUBA diving, Free diving, Wild-Water Rafting, Open-Water Swimming, Canoeing/Kayaking   
• Soccer, volleyball, tennis, table tennis, and basketball,
• Camping, traveling, motorcycle riding, and cycling
• Music, watching documentary TV programs and sport events
• Persian Ancient History, International Cultures, Languages, Festivities, and Archeology.