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Assistant Professor

Office: 13-230

Phone Number: 805-756-0942
Email: myekanif@calpoly.edu

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RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS

There are several research opportunities available for undergraduates, and master’s students interested in advanced topics related to materials and mechanics, with applications in defense, security, space, energy, health, and transportation. Students will be trained to think critically and work collaboratively to develop solutions for complex problems. Dr. Fard’s track record shows that students will have opportunities to apply for prestigious graduate programs and secure high-level research engineering and engineering positions with national research institutes and established corporations.

Students who are interested in these opportunities should email Prof. Fard to schedule a meeting.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

• Nanomaterials and Nanomembranes 

• Particle Interphase 

• Atomic Force Microscopy 

• Auxetic Materials 

• Fracture Mechanics 

• Biomechanics and Soft Materials 

EDUCATION

• Postdoc, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Arizona State University, AZ, USA, 2011-2013. 

• Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University, AZ, USA, 2006-2011. 

• M.S. Structural Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, 1994-1996. 

• B.S. Civil Engineering, Amir Kabir Polytechnic University, Tehran, Iran, 1990-1994. 

HONORS AND AWARDS

• Outstanding Reviewer Award, ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2024. 

• Featured Mentor Award for the Fulton Undergraduate Research Initiative, Arizona State University, 2023. 

• Outstanding Reviewer Award, ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2022. 

• Outstanding Reviewer Award, ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2019. 

• Honorable Mention Award from the ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2016. 

• Outstanding Reviewer Award, ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2015. 

• Award for Continued Commitment to Advancing Research at Arizona State University, 2013. 

• Best Paper Award from the ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2012. 

• Award for Continued Commitment to Advancing Research at Arizona State University, 2012. 

• Graduate Fellowship Award for the Very Best Graduate Student at Arizona State University, 2008. 

• Awarded Rank #6 among 4,573 candidates in the Matriculation Examinations for the Master of Science course in Civil Engineering in Iran in 1994. 

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE

• Assistant Professor, California Polytechnic State University, September 2024 – Present. 

• Teaching Professor, Arizona State University, 2021 – 2024. 

• Research Professor, Arizona State University, 2015 – 2020. 

• Research Scientist, Arizona State University, 2013 – 2015. 

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBER

Member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Polymer Testing, Elsevier, 2017 – present. 

PATENT

Reinforced Mixed-mode Bending Apparatus, M Yekani Fard, C Bonney, US Patent 12,399,095. 

SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS

(Masoud Yekani Fard, PhD – Google Scholar)

• Yekani Fard, M., Norkus, T. “Introducing a nano-scale surface morphology parameter affecting fracture properties of CNT nanocomposites,” Journal of Composite Communications, 48, 101931, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coco.2024.101931
• Yekani Fard, M., Pensky A. “Weibull multiscale interlaminar fracture analysis of low – weight percentage CNT composites,” International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 250, 108300, 2023.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2023.108300
• Yekani Fard, M., Pensky, A. “Stochastic multiscale multimode interlaminar fracture toughness of buckypaper nanocomposites,” International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 237,107798, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2022.107798
• Yekani Fard, M., Bonney, C. “Improved mixed mode bending test apparatus through analytical modeling and finite element optimization for improved characterization,” ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 35(1), 04021123, 2022. 10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0001376
• Yekani Fard, M., Raji, B. “Hydrostatic and cyclic pressure testing of small-scale composite pipes and vessels,” ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 35(1), 04021114, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0001368
• Yekani Fard, M. “Carbon nanotube network and interphase in buckypaper nanocomposites using atomic force microscopy,” International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, 212, 106811, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2021.106811
• Yekani Fard, M., Raji, B. “Statistical analysis of peak force atomic force microscopy data for the interphase thickness and modulus in carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy resin composites exposed to different heat and humidity levels,”. ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 34(5), 04021063, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943

SELECTED PEER-REVIEWED CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

• Yekani Fard, M., Norkus, T., and Westby, M. “Weibull analysis of multiscale properties of nanoparticle bundles in nanomembranes,” AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, January 6-10, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., 2025, 0137. DOI: 10.2514/6.2025-0137 

• Church, J., Raji, B., Wilbur, J.D., and Yekani Fard, M. “Effects of embedment depth of hard inclusions on force-displacement curves through AFM and FEA,” AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, January 6-10, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., 2025, 2642. DOI: 10.2514/6.2025-2642 

• Villegas Hernandez, J.D.J., Lee, E., and Yekani Fard, M. “Enhanced energy absorption of an eccentric re-entrant arrowhead structure,” AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, January 6-10, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., 2025, 0639. DOI: 10.2514/6.2025-0639   

• Westby, M., Raji, B., Wilbur, J.D., and Yekani Fard, M. “Deconvolution of atomic force microscopy data from the effects of destructive indentation in heterogeneous polymer composite systems,” AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, AIAA SciTech Forum, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc, January 6-10, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., 2025, 0764. DOI: 10.2514/6.2025-0764 

• Norkus, T., Yekani Fard, M. “Modeling of nanoscale characteristics of carbon nanotube nanocomposites through experimental and statistical methods,” ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, November 17 – 21, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2024-144779 

• Norkus, T., Yekani Fard, M., Westby, M., and Boutin, W. “Analysis and deconvolution of atomic force microscopy data from particulate nanocomposites through finite element analysis,” ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, November 17 – 21, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2024-144603 

• Westby, M., Yekani Fard, M., Norkus, T., and Boutin, W. “Deconvolution of atomic force microscopy data from the effects of destructive indentation in soft material systems,” ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, November 17 – 21, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2024-144462 

• Boutin, W., Yekani Fard, M., Westby, M., and Norkus, T. “Characterizing laminated composite materials utilizing the reinforced mixed-mode bending apparatus,” ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, November 17 – 21, Portland, Oregon, U.S.A, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1115/IMECE2024-144652 

COURSES TAUGHT

• ME 329 – Mechanical System Design 

• ME 328 – Design For Strength and Stiffness 

Experience of Teaching at Arizona State University: 

• Principles of Mechanical Design 

• Mechanics of Composites 

• Theory of Stability of Plates and Shells 

• Structural Mechanics 

• Mechanics of Materials 

• Aerospace Materials and Structures 

• Statics 

• Computer Aided Design II 

• Computer Aided Design I 

• Materials and Manufacturing Processes 

• Finite Element in Engineers 

• Structural Mechanics Laboratory 

REVIEWER OF JOURNALS

• International Journal of Mechanical Science (Elsevier) 

• Journal of Composite Part A (Elsevier) 

• Journal of Composite Part B (Elsevier) 

• Journal of Composite Communications (Elsevier)  

• Journal of Polymer degradation and stability (Elsevier)  

• Journal of Mechanics of Material (Elsevier) 

• Journal of Polymer Testing (Elsevier) 

• Journal of Engineering Materials and Technology (ASME) 

• Journal of Aerospace Engineering (ASCE) 

• Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science Part C (Sage) 

• Journal of Experimental Techniques (Springer) 

• Journal of Computer-Aided Civil and Infrastructure Engineering (Wiley)  

• Journal of Hydraulic Engineering (ASCE) 

• Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures (Sage) 

• Journal of Smart Materials and Structures (IOPscience) 

• Journal of Advances in Mechanical Engineering (Sage) 

• Journal of Testing and Evaluation (ASTM) 

• International Journal of Damage Mechanics (Sage) 

• Journal of Composite Science and Technology (Elsevier) 

• Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites (Sage) 

• Journal of Composite Materials (Sage) 

• Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials (Springer) 

• Journal of Results in Materials (Elsevier) 

• Journal of Thin-Walled Structures (Elsevier) 

• Journal of Surfaces and Interfaces (Elsevier) 

• Journal of Scientific Reports – Nature (Nature) 

• Journal of Industrial Crops and Products (Elsevier)