Dr. Behnaz Hassanpour | Civil/Material Science | Best Researcher Award

Researcher at Universty of Texas at Arlington, United States

Behnaz Hassanpour, PhD, is a dedicated Civil and Mechanical Engineer with a strong expertise in advanced composite materials. Her work revolves around materials design, additive manufacturing, and mechanical simulation, with a focus on developing innovative solutions for complex engineering challenges. With a proven track record in research, she has contributed significantly to the understanding of moisture uptake kinetics and its influence on the durability of fiber-reinforced composites. Her skills span mechanical design, product development, and material characterization, making her a leading figure in the field of composite materials engineering.

Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education

Behnaz Hassanpour holds a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, which she completed between May 2020 and August 2024. Her dissertation focused on “Hygrothermal Exposure Based Moisture and Glass Transition Temperature Kinetics of Carbon/Epoxy Composites,” showcasing her expertise in composite material durability. Prior to her PhD, she earned a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution (August 2018 – May 2020), where she investigated the microstructure and viscoelastic properties of SLM IN718 following various heat treatments. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physics Engineering with a specialization in Laser and Optics from Azad University Science and Research (August 2009 – May 2013), highlighting her interdisciplinary academic background.

💼 Experience

Behnaz has extensive experience in both research and teaching. Her notable research projects include:

• Durability of Composite Materials: She conducted comprehensive research on hygrothermal aging of polymer composites, developing a two-stage model for moisture uptake prediction and analyzing its effects on glass transition temperature.

• Additive Manufacturing: She optimized mechanical components manufactured through 3D printing, specifically focusing on nickel superalloy (Inconel 718) using the EOS M219 machine. Her experiments involved heat treatment optimization and dynamic viscoelasticity characterization.

• Material Characterization: She employed advanced techniques such as SEM, EDS, XRD, TGA, DSC, DMA, and TMA to analyze microstructures, mechanical properties, and material compositions.

• Forensic Analysis of Fiber Reinforced Concrete: As part of a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) project, she evaluated concrete pavements’ durability through field evaluations and SEM/EDX analysis.

She also has teaching experience, instructing courses such as Mechanics of Materials, Thermal Engineering, and Thermodynamics.

🔬 Research Interests

Behnaz Hassanpour’s research interests center around:

• Durability of Fiber-Reinforced Composites: Studying the effects of hygrothermal exposure and moisture uptake kinetics on composite materials.

• Additive Manufacturing: Enhancing the mechanical performance of metal 3D-printed parts through heat treatment and process optimization.

• Material Characterization: Applying advanced testing methods to investigate microstructure, mechanical properties, and thermal behavior of composite and metallic materials.

• Concrete and Pavement Analysis: Conducting forensic studies on fiber-reinforced concrete to predict service life and improve material durability.

🏅 Awards and Fellowships

Throughout her academic and professional career, Behnaz Hassanpour has earned numerous prestigious awards and fellowships, including:

• Graduate School Dissertation Fellowship (Summer 2024)

• Civil & Environmental Engineering STEM Doctoral Fellowship (Spring 2022 – Spring 2024)

• DDOC COE Civil Engineering Fellowship (Fall 2022 – Spring 2023)

• Civil Engineering Scholarship (Fall 2022 – Spring 2023)

• DDDA MAE Scholarship (Fall 2020 – Fall 2021)

• MAE A. Haji-Sheikh Scholarship (Fall 2020 – Spring 2021)

• Mechanical Dept. Chair Graduate Assistantship (Aug 2019 – May 2020)

These accolades reflect her excellence in both research and academic leadership.

📄 Publications

Behnaz Hassanpour has published several influential research papers in reputable journals, including:

1. Hassanpour B, Karbhari VM. Characteristics and models of moisture uptake in Fiber-Reinforced Composites: A Topical Review. Polymers. 2024; 16(16):2265.

   • Cited by multiple articles exploring composite durability and moisture kinetics.

2. Hassanpour B, Karbhari VM. Glass transition temperature as a characteristic of the durability of fiber-reinforced polymer composites. In Aging and Durability of FRP Composites and Nanocomposites. Woodhead Publishing, Elsevier, London, UK. 2024. Chapter 15, 341-362.

   • Recognized for its insights into durability factors of FRP composites.

3. Hassanpour B, Karbhari VM. Moisture and glass transition temperature kinetics of ambient-cured Carbon/Epoxy composites. Journal of Composites Science. 2023; 7(11):447.

   • Cited by researchers analyzing epoxy-based composites.

4. Karbhari VM, Hassanpour B. Water, saltwater, and concrete leachate solution effects on durability of ambient-temperature cure carbon-epoxy composites. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 2022; 139(27):e52496.

   • Valued for its contribution to composite durability studies.

✅ Conclusion

Dr. Behnaz Hassanpour’s extensive publication record, impactful research projects, and outstanding contributions to material science and engineering make her a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Her innovative models, collaboration with industry, and commitment to mentoring future engineers showcase her exceptional capabilities and influence in the scientific community