Dr. Alexandrea WASHINGTON (PhD 2023: currently with University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
PhD Dissertation: AN INVESTIGATION OF SOFT ELECTROHYDRAULIC ACTUATORS: THEORY, CHARACTERIZATION, AND CONCEPTUAL APPLICATIONS.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrea-washington-209a75113
Dr. Justin NEUBAUER (PhD/2022: Current with Mission Support and Test Services, LLC, North Las Vegas, NV – Navada National Security Site)
PhD Dissertation: MECHANOELECTRICAL BEHAVIOR IN POLYVINYL CHLORIDE (PVC) BASED SOFT POLYMER GEL SMART SENSORS FOR SOFT ROBOTIC APPLICATIONS
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justintneubauer
Dr. Zachary FRANK (PhD/2021: Current with Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA)
PhD Dissertation: POLYVINYL CHLORIDE GELS: THEORETICAL MODELING OF THEIR ACTUATION MECHANISM AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THEIR PROPERTIES.
Google Scholar
Dr. Zakai OLSEN (PhD/2021; Currently with Intel Corporation, Hillsboro, Oregon)
PhD Dissertation: A HYPERELASTIC POROUS MEDIA FRAMEWORK FOR IONIC POLYMER-METAL COMPOSITES AND CHARACTERIZATION OF TRANSDUCTION PHENOMENA VIA DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS AND NONLINEAR REGRESSION
Google Scholar
Dr. Robert Hunt (PhD/2020); Currently With Fresh Consulting At Facebook Media Lab (FML)
PhD Dissertation: Thermo-mechanical Modeling and the Application of Coiled Polymer Actuators (CPA) in Soft Robotics and Biomimetics.
Google Scholar
Dr. Sarah TRABIA (PhD UNLV/2018, currently with Apple Inc., Cupertino, CA)
PhD Dissertation: Comprehensive study of spray-painting and 3d printing fabrication methods for nafion® and nafion® equivalents in ionic polymer-metal composite actuators and sensors.
Google Scholar
Dr. Qi SHEN (PhD UNLV/2017, currently with KLA and previously with ASML Holdings)
PhD Dissertation: Theoretical and experimental investigation on the multiple shape memory ionic polymer-metal composite actuator
Google Scholar
Dr. Tyler STALBAUM (PhD UNLV/2016, currently with Imatrex Inc, Las Vegas, NV)
PhD Dissertation: Ionic electroactive polymer devices: Physics-Based modeling with experimental investigation and verification
Google Scholar
Dr. Kuok CHENG (PhD UNR/2014, Currently and previously with Gennentech)
PhD Dissertation: Parametric studies on dropwise condensation heat transfer
Dr. Md Mainul Hossain BHUIYA (PhD UNLV/2014, Currently with Global Foundary )
PhD Dissertation: Parametric studies on dropwise condensation heat transfer
Google Scholar
Dr. Viljar PALMRE (PhD UNR/2013, currently with XCath Inc, Houston, TX)
PhD Dissertation: Effects of Electrode Surface Morphology on the Transduction of Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites
Google Scholar
Dr. Bong Jun Zhang (PhD/2012, currently with NBD Nanotechnologies, Boston)
PhD Dissertation: Nucleate Pool Boiling of Surface-Modified Nano-Porous Alumina
Google Scholar
Dr. David PUGAL (PhD/2012, currently with Tesla Motors)
PhD Dissertation: Physics Based Model of Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Electromechanical and Mechanoelectrical Transduction
2nd PhD Dissertation (Institute of Physics from Tartu University of Estonia, Feb 2014: Co-supervised with Prof. Alvo Aabloo): hp-FEM model of IPMC deformation
Google Scholar
Dr. Rashi TIWARI (PhD/2009, currently with Dow Chemical, Houston, TX)
PhD Dissertation: Modeling and Characterization of the Mechanoelectric Response of Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) Energy Harvesters
Google Scholar
Dr. Doyeon KIM (PhD/2006, currently with Apple Inc, Cupertino, CA)
PhD Dissertation: Electrochemically Controllable Biomimetic Actuator
Dr. Srinivas VEMURI (PhD/2005, currently city of Dallas, TX)
PhD Dissertation: An Experimental and Theoretical Studies on Non-Filmwise Condensation Techniques for Enhancing Heat Transfer in the Process of Steam Condensation
Zakai OLSEN (MS UNLV/2018, currently with Intel, OR)
MS Thesis: The design, modeling, and optimization of a biomimetic soft robot for fluid pumping and thrust generation using electroactive polymer actuators
Kevin YIM (MS UNLV/2018, currently with Raytheon, Tucson, AZ as Mechanical Engineer)
MS Thesis: The effect of titanium dioxide on nucleate pool boiling using an aluminum substrate
Blake Naccarato (MS/2017): Currently with UNLV as PhD student
MS Theis: Visualization of dropwise condensation on plate and Tube geomatry.
Shelby NELSON (MS/2015): Currently with GearWorks
MS Theis: Feasibility study of custom manufacturing methods of Ionic polymer-metal composite sensors
Jiyeon PARK (MS/2012)
MS Thesis: IPMC with various ion exchange membranes and their potential/possible applications
Kuok CHENG (MS/2012)
MS Thesis: Investigation of Hydrophobic Coatings in Air Cooled Condensers for Heat Transfer Applications
Rajeev GUNDA (MS/2010)
Youngsoo JUNG (MS/2010)
MS Thesis: Ti02-doped Ionic Polymer-Metal Composite Actuator
Ryan HOPKINS (MS/2009, currently VP Scientific Research and Engineering, H2 Technologies Group LLC, Reno, NV)
MS Thesis: The Investigation of Ca0.6Mm0.4Ni5 for use in a High Pressure Metal Hydride Hydrogen Compressor & Dual Stage Metal Hydride Hydrogen Compression System Using LaNi5, and Ca0.6Mm0.4Ni5 Utilizing Geothermal Energy
MD BHUIYA (MS/2008)
MS Thesis: A Feasibility study: Nano Tailored Surfaces for Enhanced Heat Transfer
Alex VANDERHOFF (MS/2008)
MS Thesis: Metal Hydride Fluidic Artificial Muscle Actuation System
Curtis ROBBINS (MS/2008)
Dr. Alan Gertler of DRI was the main academic advisor and Dr. Kim was the co-advisor.
Kurn MA (MS/2007; last known employer: CHC Consulting, LLC, Santa Ana, CA)
MS Thesis: Non-thesis option
Michael LEE (MS/2007; last known employer OSIsoft, San Leandro, CA)
MS Thesis: Finite Time Analysis of Hydrogen Compression Using Metal Hydride and The Experimental Investigation of Porous Metal Hydride Compacts
David PERRON (MS/2007; last known employer: CH2M Hill, Reno, NV)
MS Thesis: Non-thesis option
Deniz DOGRUER (or EVERENSEL) (MS/2006; on parental leave)
MS Thesis: The Development of a Hydrodynamic Model for the Segmented Ionic Polymer Metal Composite (IPMC) for Underwater Applications and The Potential Use of IPMCs for Energy Harvesting
Arun PUDDIPEDDI (MS/2006; last known employer: Chromalloy, Carson City, NV)
MS Thesis: Non-thesis option
Chris MANFORD (MS/2005; last known employer: Kiewit, CA)
MS Thesis: Non-thesis option
Ravi SAMATHAM (MS/2004; went to Oregon Institute of Health and Science, OR pursuing PhD in Biomedical Eng.)
MS Thesis: Sub-micron Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) Fibers as Linear Actuators
Kiyoung CHOE (MS/2004; currently with Knorr-Bremse, Seoul, S. Korea)
MS Thesis: PolyAcryloNitrile as an Actuator Material: Properties, Characterizations and Applications
Jason PAQUETTE (MS/2003; last known employer Northrop Grumman, VA)
MS Thesis: Inic Polymer-Metal Composites: Fabrication, Modeling and Experimentation
A. Morten LEFSAKER (BS/MS, 2002): with Prof. A. Razani at the University of New Mexico and Prof. Otto K. Sonju, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology
BS/MS Thesis: Second Law Analysis of Combined Power Cycles and Advanced Falling Film Heat Exchangers
Aaron STONE (MS/2002, Last known employer: Naval Shipyard, Seattle, WA): with Prof. A. Razani at the University of New Mexico
MS Thesis: Enhancement of Steam Condensation Heat Transfer Using Additives
Kim's Group Photos
![]() fall 2022 |
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![]() Summer 2020 (in pandemic) |
![]() Summer 2019 |
![]() Fall 2015 at UNLV with other visitors |
![]() Fall 2014 at UNLV |
![]() Fall 2013 at UNLV |
![]() Fall 2010 at UNR |
![]() Summer 2012 at UNR |
![]() Fall 2009 at UNR |