Faculty of Polymer Engineering Workshops

Faculty of Polymer Engineering Workshops

The Workshops of the Faculty of Polymer Engineering are dedicated to educational, research, and applied activities in polymer engineering, polymer processing, advanced polymeric materials, nanotechnology, and related emerging technologies. By utilizing the scientific expertise of faculty members and specialized research facilities, the workshops provide a suitable environment for fundamental and applied research, student projects, specialized training, and the development of emerging technologies in polymers and advanced materials.

The research activities represented across the faculty workshops, including those led by Dr. Mehdi Salami-Kalajahi, Dr. Mehdi Salami-Hosseini, and Dr. Amir Rezvani-Moghaddam, cover a broad range of research areas, including polymer process engineering and processing, polymer nanocomposites, smart materials, advanced coatings, microfluidics, and energy-storage systems.

Faculty Members
 

• Dr. Mehdi Salami-Kalajahi
• Dr. Mehdi Salami-Hosseini
• Dr. Amir Rezvani-Moghaddam

Research Focus of Faculty Members
 

• Dr. Mehdi Salami-Kalajahi

His research activities focus on the design, synthesis, and development of advanced polymeric materials, nanomaterials, and polymer nanocomposites, as well as responsive and smart polymers, nanofibers, and fluorescent materials. His research also includes the development of polymer electrolytes and gel polymer electrolytes for energy-storage systems and lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, as well as self-healing materials and responsive polymeric systems.

• Dr. Mehdi Salami-Hosseini

His research mainly focuses on polymer process engineering and processing, rheology and flow behavior of polymeric materials, viscoelastic fluids, and two-phase flows. Microfluidics, droplet formation and deformation, numerical modeling and flow simulation, finite-element methods, and the production of polymeric particles and capsules are also among his research interests.
 

• Dr. Amir Rezvani-Moghaddam

His research activities focus on advanced polymeric coatings, polymer nanocomposites, and the use of nanomaterials, particularly carbon-based and graphene materials. The synthesis and application of carbon quantum dots and fluorescent materials, the development of functional and electromagnetic-wave-absorbing coatings, and the investigation of nanomaterial dispersion and surface modification in polymeric systems are among his research areas. His research also includes advanced inks and printing technologies, lithium-ion battery-related materials and systems, and polymer electrolytes.

Research Areas

- Polymer process engineering and processing
- Rheology and flow behavior of polymeric materials
- Microfluidics and two-phase flows
- Numerical modeling and simulation of polymer processes
- Droplet formation, deformation, and breakup
- Production of polymeric particles and micro- and nanocapsules
- Polymer nanocomposites and nanomaterials
- Responsive and smart polymers
- Self-healing materials
- Advanced and functional polymeric coatings
- Carbon-based materials, graphene, and carbon quantum dots
- Fluorescent materials and sensing systems
- Advanced inks and printing technologies
- Polymer electrolytes and gel polymer electrolytes
- Energy-storage systems, including lithium-ion and other advanced batteries
- Bio-based and sustainable polymeric materials
- Electromagnetic-wave-absorbing materials and coatings

Polymer Process Engineering, Rheology, and Processing

This area focuses on the study of flow behavior, rheology, and processing of polymeric materials. The investigation of polymeric fluids, viscoelastic flows, and the development of numerical approaches for flow analysis are important research activities aimed at improving and designing polymer processing operations.

Microfluidics and the Production of Micro- and Nanocapsules

Microfluidics is one of the research areas represented within the faculty workshops, focusing on the behavior of fluids and multiphase flows at the microscale. Controlled droplet formation and size, as well as the production of polymeric particles and capsules using microfluidic systems, provide opportunities for the development of functional materials and advanced systems.

Modeling and Simulation of Polymer Processes

This research area uses numerical methods and computational simulations to investigate flow behavior, droplet deformation, and structural evolution in polymeric materials. These studies contribute to a better understanding of material behavior in processing equipment and help optimize processing conditions.

Nanocomposites and Advanced Polymeric Materials

The development of polymer nanocomposites using various nanomaterials, including carbon-based materials, graphene, and nanostructures, is another major research area represented across the faculty workshops. These studies aim to improve mechanical, electrical, thermal, optical, and other functional properties of polymeric materials.

Advanced Coatings and Electromagnetic-Wave-Absorbing Materials

This research area focuses on the development of functional and nanocomposite polymeric coatings. The incorporation of graphene and other carbon-based nanomaterials into coatings and polymeric materials with electrical and electromagnetic properties is among the research activities in this field.

Smart, Fluorescent, and Polymeric Sensor Materials

The design and development of responsive, fluorescent, and sensing polymeric materials capable of responding to environmental and chemical stimuli constitute another research area within the faculty. Such materials can be applied in areas including sensing, security and anticounterfeiting technologies, and functional systems.

Polymer Electrolytes and Energy-Storage Systems

One of the major research areas represented across the faculty workshops is the development of solid and gel polymer electrolytes for batteries and energy-storage systems. These studies investigate different polymers and bio-based materials to achieve suitable ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability, and improved battery performance.

Bio-Based and Sustainable Polymeric Materials

The use of polymers and materials derived from renewable resources and the development of sustainable polymeric systems, particularly for energy-related and advanced-material applications, represent another area of research interest within the faculty.

Publications and Research Achievements

Faculty members of the Faculty of Polymer Engineering have been actively engaged in research in various areas, including polymer process engineering, polymer processing, microfluidics, nanomaterials, smart materials, advanced coatings, and energy-storage systems.

Between 2021 and 2026, selected research directions represented in their publications include:

• Polymer electrolytes for batteries: Development of solid and gel polymer electrolytes based on polymers and bio-based materials to improve ionic conductivity, stability, and battery performance.
• Polymer nanocomposites and functional materials: Use of nanomaterials and carbon-based materials to improve properties and introduce new functionalities into polymeric materials.
• Fluorescent materials and anticounterfeiting technologies: Development of responsive and fluorescent polymeric materials and nanostructures for sensing and security applications.
• Polymeric micro- and nanocapsules: Investigation of methods for producing and applying polymeric particles and capsules in functional systems.
• Flow and structural modeling of polymeric materials: Application of numerical methods and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate flow behavior and structural evolution in polymeric materials and blends.
• Electromagnetic-wave-absorbing coatings and materials: Development of polymeric coatings and composites containing carbon-based and graphene materials.
• Bio-based polymeric materials: Investigation of polymers derived from renewable resources and their applications in advanced materials and energy-related systems.

Equipment and Facilities

The Faculty of Polymer Engineering Workshops are equipped with specialized instruments that support a wide range of studies and experiments related to polymeric materials, nanomaterials, and energy-storage systems. The available equipment includes:
 

• Impedance Analyzer (EIS) for investigating electrochemical properties, ion transport, and the behavior of polymer electrolytes
• Ultrasonic Probe for the dispersion and homogenization of nanomaterials
• Ultrasonic Bath for sample preparation, cleaning, and dispersion
• Centrifuge for phase and particle separation
• UV-Visible Spectrophotometer for investigating optical properties and sample absorption
• (200 RADSTAT) for electrochemical testing
• 8-Channel Battery Testing System for charge, discharge, and cycling tests of battery cells
• Coin Cell Crimper for assembling and sealing coin cells
• Glovebox for handling and preparing moisture- and oxygen-sensitive materials and battery cells

Workshop Vision

The Workshops of the Faculty of Polymer Engineering, relying on the scientific expertise of faculty members and the continuous development of research infrastructure, aim to expand interdisciplinary activities in polymer processing, advanced materials, nanotechnology, energy, and environmental applications.
The workshops seek to provide a platform for innovative research, specialized training, technology development, and stronger connections between academic research and industrial needs in the fields of polymers and advanced materials.