Mahdi Hamidi, PhD, PEng

Area of Study / Keywords

NanoManufacturing Nanocomposites Architected Materials Nanomechanics

About

Dr. Hamidi, an Assistant Professor at the University of Alberta, obtained his PhD from the University of Toronto in 2019. His doctoral research focused on process-structure-property relationships and innovative manufacturing methods for multifunctional polymer nanocomposites and foams.

Prior to joining the University of Alberta, Dr. Hamidi worked as a research associate at the University of Cambridge, specializing in nanomanufacturing and 3D nanoarchitectures for energy storage and microactuators. He also conducted postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley and the University of Toronto, focusing on nanomechanics and the behavior of polymer nano-films and 2D materials using atomic force microscopy (AFM).

Currently, his research at UofA is centered on the development of nanoarchitected materials, involving the deliberate design and fabrication of structures at the nanoscale to achieve desired functionalities, particularly for energy storage applications and microactuators.

Research

About nanoAIM (NanoEngineering for Advanced Integrated Materials) Lab

Our Focus: At nanoAIM, we engineer materials at the nanoscale to unlock new functionalities and integrate multiple attributes—such as strength, conductivity, and responsiveness—into advanced, unified systems. Our research spans from energy storage solutions to nanosensors and micromachines, guided by fundamental insights from experimental nanomechanics.

Research Themes:

1. Nanoengineered Energy Storage Devices: We design and fabricate high-performance batteries at the nanoscale. Our work ranges from integrating ultra-compact microbatteries into microelectronic architectures for IoT devices, to scaling up nanoscale innovations into thick electrodes for electric vehicles and grid-level storage. By controlling materials at the atomic level and using methods like silicon-based batch fabrication, laser micropatterning, and roll-to-roll (R2R) production, we bridge the gap between miniature power sources and industrial-grade energy solutions.

2. Nanosensors and Micromachines: Our nanoscale devices go beyond simple sensing—some harvest ambient energy to operate without batteries, while others function as micromachines or microrobots capable of navigating fluid environments, assembling tiny components, or delivering targeted therapies. Using advanced lithography, stimuli-responsive materials, and precise surface engineering, we create robust, intelligent systems that enable new frontiers in healthcare, manufacturing, and environmental monitoring.

3. Experimental Nanomechanics of Materials and Interfaces: We explore how materials behave, deform, and interact at the smallest scales. By studying interfaces and fundamental mechanical properties with tools like AFM, nanoindentation, and in-situ electron microscopy, we gain insights crucial for improving the durability, reliability, and performance of batteries, micromachines, and nanosensors. This understanding guides our material selection, design strategies, and long-term device stability.

Integrated Approach: Each theme informs the others: insights from nanomechanics shape our energy storage and micromachine designs, while our fabrication techniques unify these concepts into scalable, real-world technologies. From powering next-generation electronics to enabling microscopic robotic systems, our integrated research ecosystem drives innovation at every scale.

Join Our Team: The nanoAIM (NanoEngineering for Advanced Integrated Materials) Lab at the University of Alberta is actively seeking motivated, highly qualified graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. We are exploring cutting-edge topics such as multifunctional nanocomposites, nanoscale properties of materials, and nanoarchitected structures. If you have a strong background in these areas and wish to contribute to next-generation technologies, please reach out at mahdi.hamidi@ualberta.ca for more information on fully funded positions.

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