Affiliated Department or Office
Education
Expert Bio
Professor Rahbar studies the fundamental principles that control the behavior of materials in engineering and biology at multiple scales particularly the bioinspired design of materials and structures. In this field, studying biological materials leads to the design of high-performance materials and structures. For example, Prof. Rahbar's lab has created bioinspired dental ceramic crowns that last longer than the current dental crowns; studied the fracture properties of bamboo as a sustainable structural material, and researched the fracture and fatigue of materials and structures in ceramics. His team was also involved with the repair of the Adam statue at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
Research areas/Expertise
News
Media Coverage
BBC Earth featured the self-healing concrete developed by Associate Professor Nima Rahbar and Professor Suzanne Scarlata in an episode about climate-friendly ways to heat residential homes. The self-healing concrete uses an enzyme found in red blood cells to heal itself, thereby filling cracks before they cause larger structural issues.
Industry Dive spoke with Civil, Environmental & Architectural Engineering Associate Professor Nima Rahbar and Chemistry & Biochemistry Professor Suzanne Scarlata about their work to create an enzymatic construction material, which could be a sustainable alternative to concrete. The material removes carbon dioxide from the air during its formation and self-healing process.
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