My research is focused on the development and characterization of stimuli (e.g. electric field/magnetic field) responsive smart polymeric materials. I worked with dielectric elastomer (e.g. VHB F9473PC, VHB 4905 , PDMS) to yield electric field actuated smart structures. Then I started working with PVDF-based polymers . My study includes lab scale casting of thin films, electrical & mechanical characterization of polymer/elastomer, realization of smart structures using electroactive polymers(EAPs) and analytical modelling of smart materials.

1. Saad Ahmed
Email: sua187@psu.edu, saad.me05@gmail.com
Phone: +1-814-876-2027
Websites: LinkedIn, Research group
317 Reber Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
EDUCATION
 PhD in Mechanical Engineering Aug 2012-Present
GPA: 3.88/4.00
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
Dissertation title: Active Materials for responsive origami-inspired structures
Advisor: Dr. Zoubeida Ounaies
Expected date of graduation: Spring 2017
 M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with minor in Material Science and Engineering Dec 2015
GPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average): 3.88/ 4.00
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
M. S. Thesis: Electroactive polymers for responsive origami-inspired structures, Advisor: Dr. Zoubeida Ounaies
 B. Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology Feb 2011
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Graduate Research Assistant- Electroactive Materials Characterization Laboratory, Aug 2012-Present
Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Responsibilities:
 Electrical, mechanical and electromechanical characterization of electroactive materials e.g. fluoropolymers, dielectric
elastomers (VHB 4905/4910/F9473PC, PDMS etc.), polymer based composite, ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials
 Realization of origami-inspired structures using smart materials e.g. electroactive polymers, magnetoactive elastomer
 Investigating electrical breakdown and self-clearing phenomenon of metalized polymer based capacitor/actuator
 In-situ electric-field induced domain switching study of PVDF based polymers using DMA, FTIR, XRD techniques
 Development of electrically-magnetically actuated polymer based composite
WORK EXPERIENCE
 Lab Manager, EMCLab, 317 Reber Building, The Penn State University Feb 2015- Present
Responsibilities: Lab safety in-charge, Overseeing Laboratory equipment, organizing lab tours
 Mentored three undergraduate researchers for their Honors thesis May 2014-Present
 Safety officer, Millennium Science Complex (MSC) lab Space-N245A, The Penn State University Aug 2013-Aug 2015
 Lecturer, Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering May 2012-July 2012
Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Conducted Undergraduate Lab courses (Machine tool/Welding/Foundry Lab, Instrumentation and Measurement Lab)
 Lecturer, Department of Textile Engineering May 2011- April 2012
Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Conducted Introductory Mechanical Courses (Textile Mills Utilities: Boiler, Pump, AC and Refrigeration, IC engine)
 Industrial Trainee, British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB) April 2010- May 2010
TECHNICAL SKILLS
 Thin film deposition in clean room : E-beam evaporation, Sputtering
 Mechanical characterization and testing : DMA & Instron
 Electrical characterization and testing : Polarization, High Voltage breakdown, Dielectric spectroscopy
 Thermal Analysis of materials : Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC)
 High resolution characterization technique : XRD, FTIR
 Strong hand-on and lab skills in thin film casting and material processing in lab scale
 2D and 3D design in SolidWorks
 Experienced with MATLAB, ImageJ- Image processing software

2. HONORS AND AWARDS
 2015 best paper awards from the ASMS branch of the Aerospace Division of the ASME for the paper titled
“Investigating the performance and properties of dielectric elastomer actuators as a potential means to actuate origami
structures” Journal of Smart Mater. Struct. 23 094003, 2014
 2nd Prize at the student poster session competition, Center for Acoustics and Vibration (CAV) workshop 2016
 1st Prize at the student poster session competition, Center for Acoustics and Vibration (CAV) workshop 2015
 Kulakowski Travel Awards (2013 & 2015), Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, The Penn State
University
 College of engineering graduate student travel cost award 2015, The Penn State University
 Dean’s List Scholarship (in all 4 years of study)
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh
 University Merit Scholarship (in all 8 semesters of study) Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
(BUET), Dhaka, Bangladesh
JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
1. S. Ahmed, E. Arrojado, and Z. Ounaies, Electric field driven bending and folding of polymer sheets, (Submitted to Sensors
and Actuators A: Physical)
2. I. Chae, S. Ahmed, H. Atitallah, Seong Kim and Z. Ounaies, Probing Ferroelectric Polarization of PVDF Based Polymers
Using Sum Frequency Generation Spectroscopy, (Manuscript in preparation)
2. S Ahmed, Z Ounaies and M Frecker, Investigating the performance and properties of dielectric elastomer actuators as a
potential means to actuate origami structures, Journal of Smart Mater. Struct. 23 094003, 2014 (Awarded the 2015 best paper
award in Materials from the ASME ASMS branch of the Aerospace Division)
3. K. McGough, S. Ahmed, M. Frecker and Z. Ounaies, Finite element analysis and validation of dielectric elastomer actuators
used for active origami, Journal of Smart Mater. Struct. 23 094002, 2014
SELECTED CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS & PRESENTATIONS (5 out of 12)
1. S. Ahmed, and Z. Ounaies, “A study of metalized electrodes self-clearing in electroactive polymer (EAP) based actuators”,
Proc. SPIE 9798, Electroactive Polymer Actuators and Devices (EAPAD) 2016, 97983F (April 15, 2016);
2. S. Ahmed, and Z. Ounaies, “Characterization and Performance of Electroactive Polymer (EAP) Based Multilayered
Actuators”, International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, November 13-19, 2015, Houston, Texas, USA.
3. S Ahmed, E Arrojado, N Sigamani, Z Ounaies, M Frecker, “Electrostriction based active materials for electric field
responsive origami structures”, Proc. SPIE 9432, 943206 (April 1, 2015); doi:10.1117/12.2084785
4. S. Ahmed, K. McGough, Z. Ounaies, M. Frecker, “Origami-Inspired folding and unfolding of structures: Fundamental
investigations of Dielectric Elastomer-Based Acive Materials”, Proceedings of the ASME 2013 Conference on Smart Materials,
Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, SMASIS2013, September 16-18, 2013, Snowbird, Utah, USA.
5. S. Ahmed, C. Lauff, A. Crivaro, K. McGough, R. Sheridan, M. Frecker, P von. Lockette, Z. Ounaies, T. Simpson, J-M.
Lien, R. Strzelec, “Multi-field responsive origami structures: preliminary modeling and experiments”, Proceedings of the
ASME IDETC/CIE 2013August 4-7, 2013, Portland, Oregon, USA.
INVITED TALK
S Ahmed, E Arrojado, N Sigamani, Z Ounaies, M Frecker, Electrostriction based active materials for electric field responsive
origami structures, Symposium: Shape programmable materials, 2014 MRS Spring Meeting & Exhibit April 21-25, 2014, San
Francisco, California.
KEY COURSES
Solid Mechanics, Introduction to the Materials Science of Polymers, Finite Element Analysis, Composite Materials, Metallic
Materials, Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Polymers and Composites, Polymeric materials: The solid state, Multi-
functional materials and structures, Dielectric devices, Electrical and magnetic properties
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
 Secretary- Bangladesh Student Association, The Pennsylvania State University Aug 2015-Aug 2016
Key success: Arranged fundraising program for 200 people
 Treasurer- Bangladesh Student Association, The Pennsylvania State University April 2013- Aug 2014
 Interdepartmental Collaboration with other research groups
 Arrangement of Lab tours for Industrial and academic visitors
 Mentoring undergraduate students: I mentored 2 undergraduate students for their honors thesis. They successfully
completed their graduation. Currently mentoring one more student for summer 2016.