Research

The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley
Assistant Professor                 

Research Collaborations with the University of Central Florida, State University of New York ESF, University of Georgia, University of Maryland, University of Nebraska, Texas State University, Central Michigan University, University of North Florida, Lamar University, Concordia University, Vellore Institute of Technology, Kyung Hee University, Kyungpook National University, and Chung-Ang University, Daegu Catholic University, etc.

Surface Functionalization (Lunar Soil and Industrial Waste)

• Study on the feasibility of geopolymer derived from lunar soil simulant and enhanced with biologically precipitated calcium carbonate.

Synthetic Geopolymer for Radiationproof concrete (Nuclear power plant)

• Development and performance analysis of high-energy neutron shielding material from synthetic tetraborate geopolymer.

Advanced Geopolymer Recommender System (ML modeling)

• Develop a machine learning-based recommender system that predicts desired compressive strength using the optimal combinations of materials.

Carbon Mineralization (Industrial & Mining Wastes)

• Carbon mineralized construction materials derived from industrial & mining wastes.

Photoelectrochemical decomposition (PFAS)

• Photoelectrochemical decomposition of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) using a mesoporous In2O3 electrode.

Energy Harvesting Construction Material

• Development of structural thermoelectric generator (TEG) with geopolymer-based concrete incorporated with carbon nanotube fiber (CNTF).

Nano-engineered Materials (Graphene Oxide)

• Edge-oxidized graphene oxide (EOGO) in cement composites: Cement hydration and microstructure.

High Entropy Construction Material

• Development of a new low-carbon cement binder with a more diverse range of chemical compounds (not just CaO and SiO₂), in equal proportions.

University of Mount Union
Assistant Professor                 

Research Collaborations with the University of Central Florida, University of Georgia, University of Nebraska, Texas State University, Central Michigan University and University of North Florida, etc.

Materials Characterization (for multifunctional construction materials)

• Investigate the application of surface functionalization techniques on industrial wastes for Zero CO2 emission sustainable construction materials.

• Investigate the material characterization of multifunctional cementitious materials which incorporated with recyclable materials and nanomaterials, and impacts of multifunctional construction materials on sustainability in Smart infrastructure

• Investigate the behavior of nanomaterials (e.g. different types of fibers and polymers, graphene-oxide (GO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), functionalized ashes) in cement concrete mixture.

Optimization Algorithms

• Investigate various optimization algorithms for optimum structural design and mix design.

• Investigate construction site characterization by using geographic information system (GIS).  

University of Central Florida        
Postdoctoral Associate (Advanced Infrastructure Materials Laboratory)
Korean Railroad Research Institute (KRRI)

Improvement of concrete strength by using grapheme oxide (GO)

• Evaluated the structural performance and durability of concrete incorporated with varying amounts of graphene oxide and investigated the mechanical properties and microstructures of graphene oxide-cement composite. 

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

Field study of Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) in French drain

• Evaluated the long-term calcite precipitation and recementation of RCAs under in-situ condition and developed field test methods to measure the drainage performance of in-situ and full-scale RCA French Drain systems.

UCF Research Collaboration

Use of coal and solid waste combustion ash in green Nano-manufactured products (CASHGNP)

• Addressed the potential for surface functionalization of coal combustion ash and municipal solid waste (MSW) incineration to achieve innovative additives of concrete.

Recycled concrete aggregate coated with quaternary ammonium compounds for water disinfection

• Investigated the application of quaternary ammonium compounds on recycled construction materials such as recycled concrete aggregate and other construction debris, etc.

Heavy metal extraction from Waste-to-Energy fly ash by non-organic and organic (Algae) treatments.

• Investigated the feasibility of non-organic and organic (with algae) treatments of fly ash combining chemical leaching, precipitation, and recirculating treated leachates. Utilization of treated ashes as additives of concrete is investigated.

University of Central Florida
Graduate Research Assistant (Advanced Infrastructure Materials Laboratory)                   

Florida Department of Transportation

Evaluating the Use of Waste-to-Energy Bottom Ash as Road Construction Materials

• Evaluated the structural performance and durability of concrete in which portion of cement and aggregate has been replaced with MSWI ashes.

Investigation of Reflective Cracking Mitigation Techniques

• Identified structurally suitable reflective cracking mitigation methods for Florida’s conditions and developed a methodology of life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis considering the cost and performance.

University of Texas at Austin
Graduate Research Assistant (Mechanics, Uncertainty, and Simulation in Engineering Laboratory)

Estimation of Beam Prestress by Deflection and Strain measurements

• Developed a suitable finite element model of prestressed concrete beams and to forecast beam pretension on the basis of deformations resulting from specified simple load

Yonsei University
Graduate Research Assistant (Intelligent High-Rise Structural System Laboratory)

The National Research Laboratory (the Ministry of Science and technology of the Republic of Korea)

• Evaluation and modeling of the inelastic behavior of reinforced concrete structures under wind loads