New Mechanical Engineering Professor Learns from the Natural World

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Arun Nair

Arun Nair, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, plans to combine his post-doctoral research in bio-inspired materials with his nanotechnology experience, using ideas from nature to come up with novel materials.

"Nature is so wide and wonderful," he said. "There are so many things to look into. If you understand natural materials, you can use that for medical, energy and environmental applications."

As a postdoctoral associate in the Laboratory for Atomistic and Molecular Mechanics, Nair examined the structure of natural materials such as bone. Bone is very light, but also very resistant to fracture. By looking at this material very closely, down to the nanoscale, he could gather information about what gives bone these qualities, so that they can be reproduced in human-made materials.

Nair looks forward to continuing and expanding on that research at the University of Arkansas and collaborating with other faculty who are working in nanomaterials and biomedical engineering. "When I came here for an interview, I found a very nice work environment, very good facilities and engaging, thought-provoking colleagues," he said.

"We're very happy to welcome Dr. Nair to our department," said Jim Leylek, head of the department of mechanical engineering. "He brings valuable expertise in the area of nanotechnology and biomedicine, and now that he has joined the department, our research program in computational materials is more comprehensive than ever, which will allow us to go in exciting new directions."

Nair received a doctorate in engineering mechanics from Virginia Tech, a master's degree in civil engineering from Colorado State University and a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from Mahatma Gandhi University in Kerala, India.