Education:

Postdoctoral Scholar (2025-)

University of California-Irvine
Adviser: Prof. SungWoo Nam

Research focus: Quantum energy dissipation, strain induced exciton decay in 2D materials.

Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering (2020-2025)

University of Toronto, ON, Canada

Adviser: Prof. Tobin Filleter

Thesis: "Nanoscale Studies of Friction, Interface and Strain Engineering of 2D Materials"

Master's in Mechanical Engineering (2016-2018)

University of Toledo, OH, USA

Adviser: Prof. Reza Rizvi

Thesis: "Characterization of Rapidly Exfoliated 2D Nanomaterials Obtained Using Compressible Flows."

Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering (2011-2014)

Islamic University of Technology (IUT)

Gazipur, Bangladesh

Adviser: Prof. Zahid Hossain

Thesis: "Investigation of fluid-structure interaction of a cylindrical tube submerged in dynamic liquid."

Research Interests

Mechanics of 2-D materials and thin films
2-D Material/Polymer Inter-facial mechanics
Exfoliation of Layered materials
Defect Engineering of Low Dimensional Materials

Md Akibul Islam

PhD Candidate

Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering

University of Toronto

Room: 316, Haultain Building, 170 College St, Toronto, ON M5S 3E3

Email: akibul.islam@mail.utoronto.ca

CV Google Scholar LinkedIn

Hello, I'm Akibul Islam!

I'm a final year Ph.D. candidate in the Nano mechanics and Materials Lab led by Prof. Tobin Filleter. I love investigating the physics of thin materials under real-life conditions. I am also very interested in manipulating the physical properties of thin materials (Electrical conductivity, Tribology, etc.) using external forces or biases. In the future, I see myself pursuing a postdoctoral position in nanomechanics of soft and thin materials.

My core technical expertise:

I use scanning probe microscopy and electron microscopy to uncover the underlying physics of 2D materials under real-life conditions.

I use atomic force microscopy to investigate the interfacial mechanical and electron transport properties of 2D material interfaces. I have 4+ years of experience in:

- Conductive atomic force microscopy

- Kelvin probe force microscopy

- Friction force microscopy

- Nanomechanical testing of thin films and membranes

Electron Microscopy:

Transmission Electron Microscope (with Small Area Electron Diffraction), Scanning Electron Microscope

Thin film deposition technique:

Skilled in E beam Evaporation and RF Sputtering techniques.

Surface Analysis:

Raman Spectroscopy, UV Spectroscopy,TGA, DSC, XPS

I am also working as a reviewer for the following peer-reviewed journals:

1. 2D Materials (IF~9.3)

2. ACS Applied materials and interface (IF~8)

3. Nanotechnology (IF~3.5)

I was born and raised in Bangladesh, a beautiful country in south Asia which is full of greenery and home of the famous "Royal Bengal Tigers." Called a "Basket Case" 50 years ago, Bangladesh is now one of the next 11 big economies named by World Bank. With a rapid growth of GDP at ~8%, Bangladesh is known as "Asian Tiger."

All News

June 1, 2023: Our recent work on mitigating the interfacial damage of graphene encapsulated by PDMS has been published in Advanced Engineering Materials!
September 30, 2022: Our recent review on the "Exfoliation Mechanisms of 2D Materials and their Application" is accepted for publication in Applied Physics Reveiw (Impact factor~19.162)
July 08, 2021: I am so excited that I won the first place in oral presentation in the Advanced Manufacturing Catergory at the University of Toronto Engineering Research Conference! !!
July 08, 2021: Presented my Master's research work on the rapid exfoliation of 2D materials at the University of Toronto Engineering Research Conference!
February 10, 2021: I have passed the qualification exam and now I am a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Toronto! Very happy :D
December 24, 2020: I am delighted to announce that I received the Glynn William Thomas Fellowship two years in a row! Thank you MIE department at UofT!
November 11, 2020: I am very excited to receive an invited membership from American Chemical Society as a recognition to my peer review works for ACS!!!
July 19, 2020: Co founded the non profit organization "Materials Express."
June 24, 2020: Attended the webinar arranged by Asylum Research on the investigation of nanotribological properties of 2D materials using atomic force microscopy.
June 23, 2020: Finally, University of Toronto opens the research labs after the closure due to COVID-19. It feels so good to be back.
April 18, 2020: Another award! This time it is Curtis Peter Memorial Bursary! I'm so excited.
April 17, 2020: It is a pleasure to announce that I was awarded with the Glynn Williams Thomas Fellowship from the University of Toronto.
February 2, 2020: I have started supervising a group of enthusiastic undergraduate students in writing a review article on "Application of 2D materials for energy storage devices."
January 6,2020: Starting from Winter'20, I have joined the Nano mechanics and Materials Lab at the University of Toronto. Very Excited for the new journey!!!
December 31, 2019: Moved to Toronto, Canada!
December 5, 2020: Got a fully funded offer to pursue Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Iowa. Thank you! [Could not pursue. U of Toronto seems like a better fit.]
November 30, 2019: Completed the ACS Reviewer training for peer review. Now I'm a certified reviewer!!!
September 13, 2019: Received admission offer from the University of Toronto. Was awarded with Research Assistantship and MIE Fellowship. Thank you!!!!!!!
March 4, 2019: Started collaborating with Prof. Claudia Backes from the University of Heidelberg on the defect analysis of graphene project.
February 11, 2019: Abstract accepted for the ACS Fall Meeting, Orlando, FL.
January 21, 2019: Started Ph.D. at UMass, Amherst.
December 15, 2019: Graduated from the University of Toledo. Now I have a Master's in engineering. YaaYY!!!
December 4, 2018: Defended my MS thesis entitled "Characterization of 2D Nanomaterials Obtained Using Compressible Flows." Thank you Prof. Rizvi for all the guidance. It was an incredible opportunity to work at the PICSS Lab at the University of Toledo.
November 28-30, 2019: Presented my work on the exfoliation of 2D materials and molecular defect quantification of graphene at the Material Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting, 2018
August 21, 2018: Abstract submitted for the Material Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting, 2018
June 10, 2018: Received a fully funded Ph.D. offer from the University of Central Florida. Thank you! [Could not pursue. Decided to go to UMass]
June 7, 2018: Accepted a fully funded Ph.D. offer from UMass, Amherst. Excited!!
June 1, 2018: A part of my Master's work in collaboration with Prof. Kener at UCLA got accepted in Advanced Materials!!!! I am so happy!!!
February 21, 2018: Received fully funded Ph.D. offer at the Utah State University. Thank you! [Could not pursue. Decided to work more on my Master's works]
February 18, 2018: I started a new project! The purpose of this project is to quantify the molecular defects in compressible flow exfoliated graphene! Excited to work on this!!
February 15, 2018: Had a meeting with my adviser and we decided discontinue our efforts on developing flame retardant composites using 2D materials.
November 28, 2017: Started working on developing flame retardant composites using 2D materials,
October 17, 2017: The first paper from my MS work has been submitted in Advanced Materials. Fingers crossed!!
May 5, 2017: Started working as a Research Assistant with Prof. Reza Rizvi!
January 9, 2017: Joined the Polymer and Inorganic Composites, Structure and Surface Lab led by Prof. Reza Rizvi at the University of Toledo. Thank you Professor!
August 21, 2016: Started my MS at the University of Toledo. I will be working as a Teaching Assistant.
April 11, 2016: Received admission offer to pursue a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno. Thank you! [Could not pursue. Decided to go for Master's first at UToledo]
February 4, 2016: Accepted the admission offer to pursue my Master's at the University of Toledo.

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