Professor, at University of Oklahoma, United States.
Dr. Mrinal C. Saha is a distinguished Professor in the School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma 🏫. With over three decades of academic, research, and industry experience across the USA and Bangladesh, Dr. Saha has been instrumental in advancing innovations in composite materials, smart sensors, and additive manufacturing ⚙️. He has held faculty appointments at Tuskegee University and BUET and served in research capacities with the U.S. Air Force and Department of Energy. A prolific scholar and educator, Dr. Saha has secured over $7 million in research funding, co-authored numerous high-impact publications, and mentored generations of engineering students 👨🏫. His multidisciplinary work bridges mechanical engineering, materials science, and smart systems integration, marking him as a thought leader in smart composite structures and nanomaterials.
Professional Profile
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📚 Education
Dr. Mrinal C. Saha holds an impressive academic record across three institutions 🌍. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics from Old Dominion University, Virginia, USA in 2001 🎓. Before that, he obtained an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Tuskegee University, Alabama, USA in 1996. His foundational education began in Bangladesh, where he achieved both B.S. (1988) and M.S. (1992) degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) 🛠️. These diverse educational experiences in both South Asia and North America have equipped Dr. Saha with a unique global perspective, integrating classical engineering fundamentals with modern innovations in materials science, particularly in polymeric composites and nanotechnology 🔬.
💼 Experience
Dr. Saha’s professional journey is marked by esteemed academic appointments and impactful research roles 🧪. Currently, he serves as Professor at the University of Oklahoma (2018–present), where he also held roles as Associate (2012–2018) and Assistant Professor (2006–2012). He contributed significantly to institutional leadership as Graduate Liaison and served on several strategic committees 🧭. Prior to OU, Dr. Saha was an Assistant Professor at Tuskegee University (2001–2006) and a faculty member at BUET (1988–1993). His research collaborations extend beyond academia, including as a Summer Faculty Researcher at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. His interdisciplinary work with the Department of Energy and U.S. Air Force has been instrumental in material design, embedded sensor development, and additive manufacturing for defense and aerospace sectors 🛰️.
🔬 Research Interests
Dr. Saha’s research revolves around smart materials, multifunctional composites, and nano-engineered structures 🌐. He specializes in the development of polymer matrix composites, nanofibers, and porous materials for aerospace, biomedical, and environmental applications. A notable focus of his work is the integration of embedded sensing technologies into polymeric systems for real-time monitoring and structural health diagnostics 🧠. His innovations in additive manufacturing and shape-memory materials open new frontiers in personalized medical devices and responsive structures. Additionally, Dr. Saha has led DOE and DoD-funded projects in selective laser sintering, multifunctional electrodes, and carbon nanotube-enhanced composites. His research is highly collaborative, bridging mechanical engineering with materials science, chemistry, and electronics to create next-gen materials that are smart, lightweight, and environmentally resilient ♻️.
🏅 Awards
Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Mrinal C. Saha has received numerous recognitions and competitive research awards 🌟. His groundbreaking work has earned over $7 million in external research funding, including from the U.S. Department of Energy, Air Force, ConocoPhillips, and the National Science Foundation. He was selected as a Summer Faculty Fellow at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base—an honor bestowed upon top academic researchers for defense-related innovation 🛡️. Within academia, Dr. Saha has received faculty investment and seed grants from the University of Oklahoma, supporting his early and mid-career research ventures in nanotechnology and sustainable materials. He has also been nominated for leadership and excellence awards, both for his research and contributions to graduate education and institutional service at OU. His success in securing funding and leading impactful collaborations reflects his outstanding reputation in the mechanical and aerospace engineering research community 🎖️.
📖Top Noted Publications
Dr. Saha has authored numerous influential publications in peer-reviewed journals, with research cited extensively by scholars across disciplines 📈. A few key works include:
1. Saha, M.C., et al. (2007). “Thermal and mechanical behavior of glass and carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites.” Composites Science and Technology.
📊 Citations: 200+
🔬 Overview:
This paper investigates the thermal and mechanical properties of polymer composites reinforced with glass fibers and carbon fibers. The study explores:
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Mechanical properties: Tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact resistance.
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Thermal properties: Thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and heat deflection temperature.
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Comparison: Carbon fiber composites showed better mechanical performance and thermal stability than glass fiber composites.
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Application: Findings support use in aerospace, automotive, and structural applications where thermal resistance and mechanical integrity are critical.
2. Saha, M.C., & Eckert, C.A. (2006). “Carbon nanotube-reinforced epoxy composites: Processing, mechanical and thermal behavior.” Polymer Composites.
📊 Citations: 180+
🔬 Overview:
This work focuses on epoxy composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), highlighting:
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Processing: Uniform dispersion of CNTs using sonication and surfactant-aided methods.
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Thermal behavior: Improved thermal stability with increasing CNT loading.
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Mechanical performance: Significant improvements in Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and fracture toughness.
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Microscopy analysis: SEM and TEM revealed good interfacial bonding between CNTs and the epoxy matrix.
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Innovation: Pioneering contribution to early CNT composite material research.
3. Saha, M.C., et al. (2004). “Effect of fiber surface treatment on interfacial properties of composites.” Journal of Composite Materials.
📊 Citations: 150+
🔬 Overview:
The paper addresses interfacial adhesion in fiber-reinforced composites by modifying the fiber surface chemistry:
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Surface treatments: Chemical etching, plasma treatment, and coupling agents.
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Interfacial strength: Measured using microbond and single fiber pull-out tests.
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Results: Surface treatments significantly enhanced interfacial shear strength and load transfer efficiency.
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Conclusion: Proper surface functionalization is crucial for improving composite performance.
4. Saha, M.C., et al. (2003). “Thermal conductivity of polyurethane foams with fillers.” Journal of Cellular Plastics.
📊 Citations: 130+
🔬 Overview:
This study explores the thermal conductivity of polyurethane (PU) foams enhanced with various fillers, including:
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Fillers used: Graphite, carbon black, and metallic particles.
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Effect on insulation: Thermal conductivity decreased significantly with optimized filler content.
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Structure-property relation: Cell size, density, and filler dispersion influenced thermal properties.
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Application: Highlights potential for PU foams in thermal insulation and energy-efficient construction.
Conclusion
Dr. Mrinal C. Saha is a highly deserving candidate for the Best Researcher Award based on a robust portfolio of sustained research funding, interdisciplinary innovations, and leadership in engineering science. His work in materials, nanotechnology, and smart systems has demonstrable impact on national priorities and engineering education. With a stronger emphasis on publication metrics and knowledge dissemination outcomes, his profile would be further solidified among the top-tier academic researchers globally.