Current Research

   Dr. Negahban’s research areas include:
· Theoretical, computational, and experimental studies to characterize large deformation thermo-mechanical response of materials, in particular polymers.
· Simulation of the effects of crystallization on the mechanical behavior of polymers under large deformations.
· The study of the effects of crystallization on failure and the redistribution of stress in polymer matrix composites. Simulation of the manufacturing of thin film extruded polymers.
· Experimental investigation and theoretical modeling of large plastic forming and shape recovery in amorphous polymers.

Current Key Publications

M. Negahban, “Modeling the Thermomechanical Effects of Crystallization in Natural Rubber: III. Mechanical Properties”, Int. J. Solids Struct. 37, 2811-2824 (2000).

M. Negahban, “Modeling the Thermomechanical Effects of Crystallization in Natural Rubber: II. Elementary Thermodynamic Properties”, Int. J. Solids Struct. 37, 2791-2809 (2000).

M. Negahban, “Modeling the Thermomechanical Effects of Crystallization in Natural Rubber: I. The Theoretical Structure”, Int. J. Solids Struct. 37, 2777-2789 (2000).

Recent Graduates and Current Affiliations

· Ruojuan Ma, Ph.D., now with Visteon. Thesis: “A study of the influence of uniform crystallization on the mechanical response of polymers and polymer-matrix composites”
· Juliet Dauphin, “Crystallization studies in PET”-University of Rouen, France.
· Philippe Dos Santos Claro, “Crystallization in PET during ransient thermal loading” - University of Rouen, France.