Dr. Erik T. Thostenson
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Delaware
126 Spencer Lab
Newark, DE 19716
Phone: 302-831-8789
Fax: 302-831-3619
Email: thosten@udel.edu
Google Scholar Profile
NSF Nanoscale Undergraduate Education Program
Executive Summary
Dr. Thostenson is currently Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware and holds an affiliated appointment in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Professor Thostenson's research focuses on processing and characterization of composite materials focusing on carbon nanotube and advanced fiber reinforcements toward the development of novel multifunctional composites and micro/nano mechanics modeling techniques. His research has been cited more than 4300 times in the scientific literature (ISI database, H-index: 21). During the course of his research he has developed novel processing and characterization techniques for the development of structure/property relationships in nanotube-reinforced polymer and ceramic composites. Thostenson, who also holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Delaware, performed his master's and Ph.D. research at the University of Delaware's Center for Composite Materials. Dr. Thostenson also has a Bachelors' degree in Composite Materials Engineering (Summa Cum Laude) from Winona State University.Thostenson received a National Science Foundation Early Career Development Award (CAREER) in addition to a Young Investigator Program (YIP) Award from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. He also was the recipient of the Elsevier Young Composites Researcher Award from the American Society for Composites recognizing researchers who early in their career have made a significant impact on the science and technology of composite materials through a sustained research effort. He was the recipient of the inaugural Hayashi International Memorial Award from the Japan Society for Composite Materials, recognizing outstanding young international researchers in the field of composites. Thostenson also received the Allan P. Colburn Prize for outstanding dissertation in the engineering and mathematical sciences (University of Delaware Office of Graduate Studies), the Roy L. McCullough Scholars Award (Center for Composite Materials) for exceptional contributions to the literature on composite materials, and the Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) Outstanding Graduate Student Award.
Education
| Doctor
of Philosophy in Materials
Science |
(2004) |
|
University of
Delaware, Newark, Delaware
|
|
|
Dissertation:
Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composites: Processing,
Characterization and Modeling
|
|
| Master
of Science in Mechanical
Engineering |
(1999) |
|
University of
Delaware, Newark, Delaware
|
|
|
Thesis:
Microwave-Accelerated Curing of Thick Composite
Laminates: Experiment and Simulation
|
|
| Bachelor
of Science in Composite Materials
Engineering |
(1995) |
|
Winona State
University, Winona, Minnesota
|
|
|
Summa Cum Laude
|
|
Professional Experience
| 2009 -
Present |
Assistant
Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering Affiliated Faculty, Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of Delaware |
| 2006 -
2009 |
Research
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical
Engineering, University of Delaware |
| 2005 |
Associate
Scientist, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Delaware |
| 2004 |
Postdoctoral
Research Fellow, Department of Mechanical
Engineering, University of Delaware |
| 1995-2003
|
Research Assistant,
Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Materials
Science & Engineering and Center for Composite
Materials, University of Delaware |
| 1995,
1993 |
Laboratory Assistant,
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory |
| 1994-95
|
Teaching Assistant,
Department of Composite Materials Engineering,
Winona State University |
Honors and Awards
| 2013 |
National Science
Foundation Early Career Development Award (CAREER) |
| 2009-12
|
Young Investigator
Program (YIP) Award, Air Force Office of Scientific
Research |
| 2007 |
Elsevier Young
Composites Researcher Award, American Society for
Composites |
| 2004 |
Hayashi Memorial
International Award, Japan Society for Composite
Materials |
| 2004 |
Alan P. Colburn Prize
for Best Dissertation in the Mathematical and
Engineering Sciences, University of Delaware |
| 2004 |
R.L McCullough
Scholar's Award, Center for Composite Materials |
| 2002 | Outstanding Graduate
Student Award - 1st Place Ph.D. Student Symposium,
Society for the Advancement of Material and Process
Engineering (SAMPE) |
| 2000-01 | University of
Delaware Competitive Fellowship |
| 1999 | Directors’ Award,
Center for Composite Materials |
| 1998 | Hoechst Celanese
Excellence in Engineering Award |
| 1997 | C. E. Birchenall
Award for Best Student Presentation, Brandywine
Valley Chapter of ASM International |
| 1995-98 | ARO/URI Fellowship |
| 1994 | Society of Plastics
Engineers Scholarship |
| 1991-95 |
Winona State
University Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship |
Journal Publications
Q. An, A. N. Rider and E. T. Thostenson, “Hierarchical
Composite Structures Prepared by Electrophoretic
Deposition of Carbon Nanotubes onto Glass Fibers,” ACS
Applied Materials and Interfaces, Published
online (2013).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/am3028734
G. Pandey, E. T. Thostenson and D. Heider, “Electric time
domain reflectometry sensors for non-invasive structural
health monitoring of glass fiber composites,” Progress
in Electromagnetics Research, 137: 551-564
(2013).
http://dx.doi.org/10.2528/PIER13020611
G. Pandey H. Deffor, E. T. Thostenson and D. Heider,
“Smart tooling with integrated time domain reflectometry
sensing line for non-invasive flow and cure monitoring
during composites manufacturing,” Composites Part A,
47(1): 102-108 (2013).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2012.11.017
K. L. Lasater and E. T. Thostenson, "In Situ
Thermoresistive Characterization of Multifunctional
Composites of Carbon Nanotubes," Polymer, 53(23): 5367-5374 (2012).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2012.09.022
G. Pandey and E. T. Thostenson “Carbon Nanotube-Based
Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites,” Polymer Reviews,
52(3-4): 355-416 (2012).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15583724.2012.703747
Q. An, A. N. Rider, and E. T. Thostenson,
"Electrophoretic deposition of carbon nanotubes onto
carbon-fiber fabric for production of carbon/epoxy
composites with improved mechanical properties," Carbon, 50(11): 4130-4143
(2012).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2012.04.061
A. S. Wu, A. M. Coppola, M. J. Sinnott, T-W. Chou, E. T.
Thostenson, J. H. Byun. and B. S. Kim, "Sensing of damage
and healing in three-dimensional braided composites with
vascular channels," Composites Science and
Technology, 72(13): 1618-1626
(2012).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2012.06.012
G. Pandey, M. Wolters, E. T. Thostenson and D. Heider,
"Localized functionally modified glass fibers with carbon
nanotube networks for crack sensing in composites using
time domain reflectometry," Carbon,
50(10): 3816-3825 (2012).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2012.04.008
S. M. Friedrich, A. S. Wu, E. T. Thostenson and T-W.
Chou, "Damage mode characterization of mechanically
fastened composite joints using carbon nanotube networks,"
Composites
Part A, 42(12): 2003-2009 (2011).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2011.09.006
L. M. Gao, T-W. Chou, E. T. Thostenson, Z. G. Zhang and
M. Coulaud, "In situ sensing of impact damage in
epoxy/glass fiber composites using percolating carbon
nanotube networks," Carbon, 49(10): 3382-3385
(2011).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2011.04.003
A. S. Lim, Z. R. Melrose, E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou,
"Damage sensing of adhesively-bonded hybrid
composite/steel joints using carbon nanotubes," Composites
Science and Technology, 71(9): 1183-1189 (2011).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.10.009
S-B. Lee, O. Choi, W. Lee, J. W. Yi, B. S. Kim, J. H.
Byun, M. K. Yoon, H. Fong, E. T. Thostenson, T-W. Chou
"Processing and characterization of multi-scale hybrid
composites reinforced with nanoscale carbon reinforcements
and carbon fibers," Composites Part A,
42(4): 337-344 (2011).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2010.10.016
A. S. Lim, Q. An, T-W. Chou and E. T. Thostenson,
"Mechanical and electrical response of carbon
nanotube-based fabric composites to Hopkinson bar
loading," Composites Science and Technology,
71(5): 616-621 (2011).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2010.12.025
W. Lee, S-B. Lee, J-W. Yi, M-K Um, J-H. Byun, E. T.
Thostenson and T-W. Chou, "Formicary-like carbon
nanotube/copper hybrid nanostructures for carbon
fiber-reinforced composites by electrophoretic
deposition," Journal of Materials Science, 46(7):
2359-2364 (2011).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-010-5082-3
A. Gawandi, E. T. Thostenson and J. W. Gillespie, "Tow
pullout behavior of polymer-coated Kevlar fabric," Journal
of Materials Science, 46(1): 77-89 (2011).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-010-4819-3
K. J. Kim, W. R. Yu, J. S. Lee, L. M. Gao, E. T.
Thostenson, T-W. Chou and J. H. Byun, "Damage
characterization of 3D braided composites using carbon
nanotube-based in situ sensing," Composites
Part A, 41(10): 1531-1537 (2010).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2010.06.016
L. M. Gao, T-W. Chou, E. T. Thostenson and Z. G. Zhang,
"A comparative study of damage sensing in fiber composites
using uniformly and non-uniformly dispersed carbon
nanotubes," Carbon, 48(13): 3788-3794 (2010).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2010.06.041
L. M. Gao, E. T. Thostenson, Z. G. Zhang, J-H. Byun and
T-W. Chou, "Damage Monitoring in Fiber-Reinforced
Composites under Fatigue Loading Using Carbon Nanotube
Networks," Philosophical Magazine, 90(31-32):
4085-4099 (2010).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14786430903352649
W. B. Lu, T-W. Chou and E. T. Thostenson, "A
three-dimensional model of electrical percolation
thresholds in carbon nanotube-based composites," Applied
Physics Letters, 96(22): 223106 (2010).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3443731
L. M. Gao, T-W. Chou, E. T. Thostenson, A. Godara, Z. G.
Zhang and L Mezzo, "Highly conductive polymer composites
based on controlled agglomeration of carbon nanotubes," Carbon,
48(9): 2649-2651 (2010).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2010.03.027
T-W. Chou, L. M. Gao, E. T. Thostenson, Z. G. Zhang and
J-H. Byun, "An Assessment of the Science and Technology of
Carbon Nanotube Fibers and Composites," Composites
Science and Technology, 70(1): 1-19 (2010).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2009.10.004
E. T.
Thostenson, J. J. Gangloff Jr., C. Y. Li and J-H. Byun
"Electrical Anisotropy in Multi-Scale Nanotube/Fiber
Composites," Applied Physics Letters,
97(5): 073111 (2009).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.3202788
K. Okubo, T. Fuji and E. T. Thostenson, "Multi-Scale
Hybrid Biocomposite: Processing and Mechanical
Characterization of Bamboo Fiber Reinforced PLA with
Microfibrillated Cellulose," Composites - Part A,
40(4): 469-475 (2009).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesa.2009.01.012
L. M. Gao, E. T. Thostenson Z. G. Zhang and T-W. Chou,
"Coupled Carbon Nanotube Network and Acoustic Emission
Monitoring for Sensing of Damage Development in
Composites," Carbon, 47(5): 1381-1388 (2009).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2009.01.030
E. T. Thostenson S. Ziaee and T-W. Chou, "Processing and
Electrical Properties of Carbon Nanotube / Vinyl Ester
Nanocomposites," Composites Science and Technology,
69(6): 801-804 (2009).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.06.023
L. M. Gao, E. T. Thostenson, Z. G. Zhang and T-W. Chou,
"Sensing of Damage Mechanisms in Fiber-Reinforced
Composites under Cyclic Loading Using Carbon Nanotubes," Advanced
Functional Materials, 19(1): 123-130 (2009).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adfm.200800865
E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou, "Carbon Nanotube-Based
Health Monitoring of Mechanically Fastened Composite
Joints," Composites Science and Technology, 68(12)
2557-2561 (2008).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.05.016
E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou, "Real-Time in situ
Sensing of Damage Evolution in Advanced Fiber Composites
using Carbon Nanotube Networks," Nanotechnology,
19(21): 215713 (2008).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0957-4484/19/21/215713
C. Y. Li, E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou, "Sensors and
Actuators Based on Carbon Nanotubes and their Composites:
A Review," Composites Science and Technology,
68(6): 1227-1249 (2008).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2008.01.006
C. Y. Li, E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou, "Effect of
Nanotube Waviness on the Electrical Conductivity of Carbon
Nanotube-Based Composites," Composites Science and
Technology, 68(6): 1445-1452 (2008).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2007.10.056
E. Bekyarova, E. T. Thostenson, A. Yu, M. E. Itkis, D.
Fakhrutdinov, T-W. Chou, R. C. Haddon, "Functionalized
Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Carbon Fiber-Epoxy
Composites," Journal of Physical Chemistry C,
111(48): 17865-17871 (2007).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jp071329a
C. Y. Li, E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou, "Dominant Role
of Tunneling Resistance in the Electrical Conductivity of
Carbon Nanotube-Based Composites," Applied
Physics Letters, 91(22): Article No. 223114
(2007).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.2819690
E. Bekyarova, E. T. Thostenson, A. Yu, H. Kim, J. Gao, J.
Tang, H. T. Hahn, T-W. Chou, M. E. Itkis, R. C. Haddon,
"Multiscale Carbon Nanotube-Carbon Fiber Reinforcement for
Advanced Epoxy Composites," Langmuir, 23(7):
3970-3974 (2007).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/la062743p
E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou, "Carbon Nanotube
Networks: Sensing of Distributed Strain and Damage for
Life Prediction and Self-Healing," Advanced
Materials, 18(22): 2837-2841 (2006).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adma.200600977
E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou,
"Processing-Structure-Multi-Functional Property
Relationship in Carbon Nanotube/Epoxy Composites," Carbon,
44(14): 3022-3029 (2006).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2006.05.014
E. T. Thostenson P. G. Karandikar and T-W. Chou,
"Fabrication and Characterization of Reaction Bonded
Silicon Carbide / Carbon Nanotube Composites," Journal
of Physics D: Applied Physics, 38(21): 3962-3965
(2005).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/38/21/020
E. T. Thostenson, C. Y. Li and T-W. Chou, “Nanocomposites
in Context,” Composites Science and Technology,
65(3-4): 491-516 (2005).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.compscitech.2004.11.003
E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou, “Nanotube Buckling in
Aligned Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composites,”
Carbon,
42(14): 3015-3018 (2004).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2004.06.012
E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou, “On the Elastic
Properties of Carbon Nanotube-Based Composites: Modeling
and Characterization,” Journal of Physics D: Applied
Physics, 36(5): 573-582 (2003).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/36/5/323
E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou, “Aligned Multi-Walled
Carbon Nanotube-Reinforced Composites: Processing and
Mechanical Characterization,” Journal of Physics D: Applied
Physics, 35(16): L77-L80 (2002).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/0022-3727/35/16/103
E. T. Thostenson, W. Z. Li, D. Z. Wang, Z. F. Ren and
T-W. Chou, “Carbon Nanotube/Carbon Fiber Hybrid Multiscale
Composites,” Journal of Applied Physics, 91(9):
6034-6037 (2002).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.1466880
E. T. Thostenson, Z. F. Ren and T-W. Chou, “Advances in
the Science and Technology of Carbon Nanotubes and their
Composites: A Review,” Composites Science and Technology,
61(13): 1899-1912 (2001).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0266-3538(01)00094-X
E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou, “Microwave and
Conventional Curing of Thick-Section Thermoset Composite
Laminates: Experiment and Simulation,” Polymer
Composites, 22(2): 197-212 (2001).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pc.10531
E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou, “Microwave Processing:
Fundamentals and Applications,” Composites Part A,
30(9): 1055-1071 (1999).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1359-835X(99)00020-2
J. Li, E. T. Thostenson, T-W. Chou and L. Riester,
“An Investigation of Thin-Film Coating/Substrate Systems
by Nanoindentation,” Journal of Engineering Materials
and Technology, 120(2): 154-162 (1998).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1115/1.2807005
R. W. Rydin, E. T. Thostenson and H-Y. Ma, “An Assessment
of the Impact Response of Knit-Knit and Knit-Stitch
Composites," Science and Engineering of Composite Materials,
7(3): 269-277 (1998).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/SECM.1998.7.3.269
Book Chapters
C. Y. Li, E. T. Thostenson and T-W. Chou, "Carbon
Nanotube-Based Composites and Damage Sensing,”
Multifunctional Polymer Nanocomposites, CRC
Press, Eds: J. Leng, A. Kin-Tak Lau (2011).
D. Heider, R. C. Don, E. T. Thostenson, K. Tackitt, J. H.
Belk and T. Munns, “Cure Monitoring and Control,” ASM
Handbook Volume 21 Composites, ASM International,
Materials Park, OH (2001).
