Mohammad Elahinia

University Distinguished Professor of Engineering and Chair

Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing  Engineering 

Ph.D. Students

As a Research Assistant at Dr. Elahinia's Lab, I am engaged in simulating Nickel-Titanium alloys for additive manufacturing, focusing on Laser Powder Bed Fusion and Directed Energy Deposition. My work involves using Thermo-Calc for predicting material properties and Flow3D for analyzing melt-pool behavior, a key process in manufacturing. Recognized twice with TA awards, I am committed to both research and academic excellence.


I am Timothée Cullaz, currently pursuing a co-joined Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toledo and the Ecole Nationale d’Ingénieur de Brest (France). My research focuses on exploring the fatigue behavior of NiTi alloys produced with Laser Powder Bed Fusion process. I employ a fast fatigue properties prediction method known as the self-heating method under cyclic loading. In pursuit of my research objectives, I engage in the printing, testing, modeling, and comprehensive characterization of the material. A significant emphasis is placed on cycling tests and microstructure observation, with a specific focus on utilizing Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) analysis. The objective is to identify the mechanisms responsible of fatigue failure and self-heating behavior.  

I am Hediyeh Dabbaghi, a current PhD candidate in the Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering department. I am thrilled to be part of Dr. Elahinia’s team, focusing on additive manufacturing of shape memory alloys, especially NiTi and NiTiHf. During my master’s degree, my research centered on the oxidation kinetics of the high-temperature shape memory alloy NiTiHf. In my current PhD research, I am using NiTi wire for direct energy deposition (DED) with a laser to advance additive manufacturing for shape memory alloys and develop enhanced metallic structures for various applications.  

As a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Toledo, I am at the forefront of innovative research, leading the modeling team at Elahinia’s Laboratory. My primary focus lies in multi-scale, multi-physics modeling of smart materials produced through laser powder bed fusion. My expertise extends to metallic components, with a strong foundation in mechanical testing. My work involves optimizing process parameters to minimize defects and assess residual stress, ultimately striving for enhanced performance. I blend experimental and computational techniques to push the boundaries of AM possibilities. 

I am Mohammad Pourshams, a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Toledo, and have been making significant strides in the field of additive manufacturing since 2021. My extensive research covers shape memory alloys for diverse applications in medical, aerospace, and tool device sectors, employing various technologies like LPBF, wire-based DED, and binder jetting. With a specialization in binder jetting additive manufacturing of reactive materials such as NiTi+ and Titanium, I am focused on overcoming complex challenges, including clean de-binding. Also, my efforts are dedicated to improving the efficiency and efficacy of these advanced manufacturing techniques, particularly in medical applications. 

My research focuses on the ultrasonic fatigue of NiTi. I completed his Master’s Degree in the summer of 2019, and my research then focused on actuation training and its effects on the actuation fatigue of NiTi-shaped memory wires. I am experienced at following software: SolidWorks, MATLAB, MINITAB and  Shimadzu Ultrasonic Fatigue Software (USF)

Nasrin Taheri

My research focuses on gaining a comprehensive understanding of the intricate relationship between the structure, process, and properties of superelastic nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys, specifically those produced through laser powder bed fusion and laser direct energy deposition techniques. At present, my primary area of investigation centers on unraveling the impact of scan strategy parameters, particularly rotation angles, on the microstructural characteristics and superelastic behavior of NiTi alloys fabricated via laser powder bed fusion. The insights derived from this research endeavor will play a pivotal role in facilitating the design of functional materials with predictable and tailored properties. By delving into these aspects, I aim to contribute to advancements in material science, particularly in the realm of NiTi alloys, enabling their utilization in various applications and industries.

I am Saeedeh Vanaei, a PhD student in Mechanical engineering at University of Toledo. I have background in materials science and engineering. In her master studies, she worked on the processing and characterization of polymers by conventional (rotational molding) and additive manufacturing (FDM/FFF) techniques. In my PhD studies, I work on additive manufacturing of shape memory alloys (SMAs), and NiTi-based SMAs in particular, for biomedical applications. My focus is on the thermomechanical behavior, microstructure evolution, and texture of SMAs produced by laser powder bed fusion technique.