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Dr. Abolghassem Zabihollah

Smart Structures & Systems

Smart structures are a new generation of structures with the capability to detect, analyze, and respond to external unpredictable stimuli to prevent possible damage to the structures and ensure stability and safety of the structures. Such structures are composed of embedded smart materials, an embedded signal processor, and a control unit. Smart structures are being used in a variety of applications, including, aerospace, automobiles, biomedical, civil infrastructures, and robotics.

I am working on the design and development of smart structures with embedded smart materials, particularly, Shape Memory Alloys (SMA), Magnetorheological Fluids (MR), Fiber Brag Grating (FBG), and Piezoelectric. I continuously explore other types of multifunctional materials for possible application as embedded sensors/actuators in smart structures.

In collaboration with electrical, civil, and computer professionals, we are working on innovative signal-processing algorithms and wireless communication systems to develop structural health monitoring techniques for building and civil infrastructures.

We got the 3rd TEES award for our proposal in ” Design a wearable device to protect against hip fracture in elderly due to side falling”.

The system integrates the porosity, lightness, and flexibility of customized foam material with the adaptive viscosity of shear-thickening fluids when exposed to sudden shear changes.