Abdel-Hamid Ismail Mourad

• Doctor of Philosophy
• Professor at United Arab Emirates University

The existing crack layer model can theoretically predict the slow crack growth behavior of highdensity polyethylene. However, it can only be applied to oxidative environments causing chemical degradation. Most oil and gas field components, such as pressurized pipes, are subjected to hydrocarbon exposures, leading to a plasticized material response,...

Developing supercapacitor materials that are both efficient and durable, with high cycle life and specific energy, poses a significant challenge due to issues in electrodes such as volume expansion and electrode degradation that occur over time. This work reports a simple, novel, and cost-effective synthesis method to fabricate high surface area “I...

Ghaf, a resilient tree in arid environments, plays a critical role in ecological restoration, desertification mitigation, and cultural heritage preservation. However, the seeds’ inherent challenges, notably their hard outer coating restricting germination, emphasize the pressing need for innovative strategies. This work aimed to investigate the opt...

The design and reliability of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes can be dictated by the damage tolerance of their butt-fusion joints. A slow crack growth (SCG) model based on the crack layer theory for HDPE pipes internal and external circumferential and butt-fusion joints cracks is developed to investigate the discontinuous SCG behavior and li...

Ghaf, a resilient tree in arid environments, plays a pivotal role in ecological restoration, desertification mitigation, and cultural heritage preservation. However, the seeds' inherent challenges, notably their hard outer coating restricting germination, emphasize the pressing need for innovative strategies. This work aimed to investigate the opti...

Food bioactive packaging has received increasing attention from consumers and the food industry for its potential to reduce food waste and environmental issues. Several materials can be used to produce edible films/coats; however, bio-based, cost-effective, and sustainable coatings have gained a high reputation these days. For instance, Aloe vera g...

Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are low-cost solar energy conversion devices with variable color and transparency advantages. DSSCs' potential power efficiency output, even in diffuse light conditions with consistent performance, allows them to be used in building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) window applications. Significantly, the developmen...

For engineering thermoplastics, particularly high density polyethylene (HDPE), the crack layer (CL) theory is an effective proposition for modeling slow crack growth and predicting their lifetime. Nevertheless, the associated excessive input parameters needed in its implementation sets a difficulty for its use. Therefore, an understanding of the ro...

The selection of welding process parameters is a tedious operation that demands the process evaluation. Multi criteria decision-making strategies for assessing friction stir welding (FSW) process parameters are scanty. Therefore, a comparative study between five different multi-criteria decision-making methods was applied within friction stir weldi...

The degradation of plastic bottle tops as a common contributor to plastic waste in the environment was assessed under the hot, arid conditions of the hinterland of the United Arab Emirates. 500 bottles tops were collected from 5 different locations in the Al Ain area and their surface oxidation index was determined through FT-IR measurements. The h...

Triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattices have recently been shown to exhibit extraordinarily low densities and multi- functionalities. Nevertheless, the dependence of their fracture toughness on relative density, unit cell size and the number of unit cells ahead of the crack tip suggest a lack of understanding of the governing parameters. Th...

The enduring effort toward stabilizing and improving the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has stirred the solar research community to follow innovative approaches. Current research centered on electrode materials design, which improves photoanodes' light-harvesting efficiency (LHE). Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a new family o...

Extreme effect of noise pollution includes deafness and mental breakdown and in main cities automobiles are a main source of noise. The literature concentrates on the side mirror part and lacks analysis on mirror base (arm) that connects the mirror part to the vehicle’s body. This work focuses on lowering noise emission from vehicles by optimizing...

Slow crack growth (SCG) is a time-dependent quasi-brittle type of failure that polyethylene (PE) materials exhibit under low stress levels. The interplay between the crack and its plastic zone dictates complex damage behavior of continuous and discontinuous SCG. Under a continuum mechanics approach, SCG can even remain a commonality in PE mechano-c...

The energy transition is growly rapidly. Yet, energy security and sustainability are still global concerns. The transition from fossil based, e.g., gas, to renewables, e.g., wind, hence, require reliable equipment and accurate lifetime predictions. Therefore, this review study is focused on turbine blades failures analysis with respect to their app...

High density polyethylene (HDPE) can show viscoelastic-viscoplastic behaviors under monotonic loads and a stress softening after reloading under cyclic ones. This sets a challenge in simultaneously representing such response in material constitutive models. In addition, due to the adoption of novel accelerated tests at higher temperatures, e.g., 95...

Tube-to-tubesheet joints are one of the major vulnerable locations prone to cracks in heat exchangers. The manufacturing processes of these joints have an important role in providing structural integrity to the heat exchangers. The main objective of this work is to study the impact of the combined effect of tungsten inert gas weld and expansion per...

Materials made of rubber are a source of polymers released into the environment, where tire abrasions are a major contributor. In many hot, arid environs, whole tire losses are more common than in moderate climates, and lead to the accumulation of additional tire material on road sides, which over time can be the source of secondary micro-tires. Ot...

Microplastic contamination was found in fish and chicken bought on the market, in food stores and in chain supermarkets in the Middle East with the contamination ranging from 0.03 ± 0.04 to 1.19 ± 0.72 particles per gram of meat in chicken and from 0.014 ± 0.024 to 2.6 ± 2.8 particles per gram in fish. Only one fish was found to be free of micropla...

In this study, a methodology combining finite element analysis (FEA) and artificial neural network (ANN) through multilayer perceptron architecture was utilized to predict the impact resistance behavior of hybrid and non-hybrid fabric reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. A projectile at 250 m s ⁻¹ impact velocity was considered for the high velocit...

In this paper, a discrete-time model predictive controller using Laguerre orthonormal function-based (LMPC) for active flutter suppression of a two-dimensional wing with a flap is presented. In this work, a linear mathematical state-space model for the pitch, plunge, and flap degrees of freedom under unsteady aerodynamics is derived and used to det...

The main objective of this work is to develop a variety of hybrid high-density polyethylene (HDPE) micro- and nanocomposites and to investigate their thermal, mechanical, and morphological characteristics as a function of number of fillers and their contents percentage. In this study, 21 formulations of the composites were prepared using fillers wi...

Fabrication of pure ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)‐based artificial joint implants is a bottleneck problem as it is only limited to quasistatic approaches that have low efficiency due to the high density of fusion defects. The main objective of this work is to improve the moldability of UHMWPE using the injection molding technique...

In recent years, there has been much focus on how the structure and morphology of CoMn2O4 materials influence their electrochemical performance. Herein we introduce a KOH‐surfactant agent to form a hexagonal like‐CoMn2O4 via hydrothermal. The X‐ray Rietveld refinement evidenced that spinel CoMn2O4 with the tetragonal structured I 41/amd phase. Furt...

The selection of welding process parameters is a difficult operation that proves the need for process evaluation. Several decision-making strategies have been presented for assessing friction stirring welding (FSW) process parameter selection difficulties considering the process up and down. It should be noted that few comparative studies have been...

This paper aims to utilize the modern control theory in designing an active flutter suppression controller for a two-dimensional wing with a flap. In this study, the wing’s pitch–plunge linear aeroelastic response, in addition to the control flap motion, was modeled using Lagrange’s energy method, and Theodorsen’s classic unsteady aerodynamic theor...

Demand on the energy sector has increased significantly due to the incredible evolution of the industry and urbanization. Photovoltaic (PV) technology is rapidly evolving to meet the demands of people in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by generating more electricity. The UAE has demonstrated that it has the world’s highest rates of sun exposure, ind...

This paper compares Failure Assessment Diagram-based and Stress Intensity Factor-based analytical approaches with experimental results for assessing leak before break in axial finite semi-elliptical cracked Polyvinyl Chloride pipes subjected to internal pressure. Surface crack length of 25, 40 and 60 mm and depth to thickness ratio of 0.25, 0.5 and...

Solidification cracking is very common in the welding process of austenitic stainless steels and can lead to premature failures. Yet, the main quantitative impact of S, P and Si on solidification cracking is still lacking. In addition, the present solidification cracking prediction diagrams are merely composition based, i.e., Creq/Nieq dependent. H...

In designing successful cartilage substitutes, the selection of scaffold materials plays a central role, among several other important factors. In an empirical approach, the selection of the most appropriate polymer(s) for cartilage repair is an expensive and time-consuming affair, as traditionally it requires numerous trials. Moreover, it is human...

The preparation and characterization of a large-scale of single-crystalline CuO nanoporous material on the surface of a Cu sheet by a simple thermal decomposition at 550 °C for 60 min were carried out. The field-emission scanning electron microscopy image analysis indicated that the formation of homogeneous porous CuO over Cu metal is formed, with...

In this study, we presented a novel and co-precipitation chemical strategy for the synthesis of garnet type-Dy3Fe5O12 ferrite nanopowders using NaOH as a surfactant along containing nitrates of matching metals. The resultant powders were heat treated at 1200 • C for 6 h and analyzed by XRD, SEM, EDS, and VSM techniques respectively. X-ray diffracti...

The temperature of combustion engine pistons, e.g., 370 °C, along with their high thermal coefficient of expansion, are limiting design factors. The use of ceramic in the majority of the present literature is directed toward exploring its potential as a coating only, i.e., a thermal barrier. This work, however, investigates the applicability of gla...

Concrete structures like all materials are prone to natural or anthropogenic degradation and deterioration over time as they have rather low tensile strength. In the case of structural materials, long-term degradation creates microcracks which increases permeability and eventually lead to failure. As a result, mending is required to improve materia...

The field of Additive manufacturing techniques has witnessed tremendous growth in recent years. It is considered to be one of the forerunners of the Industry 4.0 paradigm, owing to its immense potential to transform the manufacturing industry with its high efficiency compared to the conventional techniques. AM techniques are increasingly being empl...

Laminated composites with internal ply drop-off regions at specific locations, popularly known as tapered composite structures have found wide applicability, owing mainly to its weight savings and customizable mechanical properties. A detailed analysis is therefore vital to predict the mechanical response of these tapered laminates with plies termi...

This study provides H2 gas as a renewable energy source from sewage water splitting reaction using a PMT/Au photocathode. So, this study has a dual benefit for hydrogen generation; at the same time, it removes the contaminations of sewage water. The preparation of the PMT is carried out through the polymerization process from an acid medium. Then,...

In this study, the feasibility of utilizing date palm seeds (DS), the primary waste in date industry, as a filler in unsaturated polyester (UPR) matrix to develop thermal insulation material was investigated. Stable homogenous DS-UPR composites with up to 70 vol% natural filler were prepared at room temperature following a thermoset curing process....

This work consists of preparation and characterization of composites produced from thermoplastic starch (TPS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS). Due to the immiscibility of the system (TPS/HIPS), it was necessary to incorporate concentrations of 1, 2 and 3% of an organophilic montmorillonite (MMT) to improve the properties of the mixtures, in part...

Tapered composites have found applications in a wide spectrum of areas, mainly owing to its weight savings and ’tailoring’ options possible for its mechanical properties. This calls for a thorough analysis required to predict the response of the tapered laminates, which are formed by dropping some part of the plies at certain fixed locations. The p...

Metal foam is a novel class of metals that is inspired by naturally occurring, functionally graded, cellular structures like wood and bones. Owing to the diverse physical and mechanical properties that can be tailored to suit a particular need, metal foams have become attractive to researchers and efforts are being made to optimize the methodology...

Key to sustainable aviation is to find an efficient way to optimize the design of an aircraft and its parts irrespective of its size. Innovation of new materials with exceptional mechanical properties with reduced overall weight can contribute substantially towards a greener environment. During each operating cycle of an aircraft engine the blades...

Metal foam is a novel class of metals that is inspired by naturally occurring, functionally graded, cellular structures like wood and bones. The properties of metal foam are so diverse that they can be tailored to suit the particular need, hence the study of metal foams has become attractive to researchers and efforts are being made to optimize the...

One of the major drawbacks in the performance of PV modules is their operating temperature which grows linearly with the irradiance. It is well known for a fact that solar cell temperature is directly dependent on the electrical conversion efficiency of a PV module. The extra heat generated by the PV module due to the absorption of incoming solar i...

Multi-scale modelling is a cornerstone for the relatively new class of hierarchical materials which can perform multifunctional tasks, owing to their electrical, magnetic or thermal properties. Careful design strategies are to be devised, in-order to maintain their multi-functionality over the expected range of operation. In this study, we focus on...

Underwater friction stir welding, a new variant of friction stir welding process in which the weld coupons and tool-specimen interface are completely immersed in the water, has been successful to achieve wide popularity among researchers recently. In most of the studies, the underwater friction stir welding process is limited to join the flat plate...

The versatility of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) makes it one of the most used polymers for vast applications ranging from food packaging to human implants. However, there still is confusion regarding the proper selection of processing techniques to produce HDPE specimens for high-end applications. Herein, we compare the processing of HDPE by tw...

The selection of nanofillers and compatibilizing agents, and their size and concentration, are always considered to be crucial in the design of durable nanobiocomposites with maximized mechanical properties (i.e., fracture strength (FS), yield strength (YS), Young’s modulus (YM), etc). Therefore, the statistical optimization of the key design facto...

The focus of this research is to synthesis different nanocomposites by in situ chemical polymerization. The nanocomposites were prepared by intercalating monomers such as aniline, iodoaniline or combination of aniline and 2-iodoaniline into modified montmorillonite clay. The syntheses were carried out using ammonium persulfate as oxidant with diffe...

A green polymer composite consisting of date palm wood powder (DPWP) and polylactic acid (PLA) was developed, as an insulating material. DPWP (10–50 wt%) was mixed with PLA in a melt extruder, followed by compression molding and annealing processes. The composites were investigated to evaluate their physical (density, water absorption and degree of...

This paper presents long-term experimental investigation of E-glass/epoxy and E-glass/polyurethane composites durability exposed to seawater at different temperatures. The thermoset composite samples were exposed to seawater of different temperatures for a prolonged exposure of 11 years. The mechanical properties were evaluated to assess the sustai...

Thixoforming is comparatively a recent semi-solid metal forming process that potentially uses the rheological behaviour of certain metals with non-dendritic microstructures. In contrast to the conventional forming process where the metals in either the solid or liquid state are subjected to a working load, the thixoforming uses a semi-solid slurry...

In this work, squeeze stir casting was used to produce recycled Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites (MMC’s) plates. Scrap Aluminum Alloy Wheel (SAAW) was used as a matrix and alumina as reinforcement. The produced recycled MMC plate was subjected to abrasive and sliding wear using a Two-body abrasion tester and Pin-on-Disc tester with a load of 20 N....

This paper presents a long-term experimental investigation of E-glass/epoxy composites’ durability exposed to seawater at different temperatures. The thermoset composite samples were exposed to 23 °C, 45 °C and 65 °C seawater for a prolonged exposure time of 11 years. The mechanical performance as a function of exposure time was evaluated and a str...

In this manuscript, the durability of the E-glass/epoxy composite was determined under a seawater environment. The effect of harsh environment was investigated in terms of seawater absorption, microstructure and degradation in mechanical properties. E-glass epoxy composite specimens were conditioned in gulf seawater at 23 °C, 65 °C and 90 °C for th...

Cartilage repair is one of the most challenging tasks for the orthopedic surgeons and researchers. The primary challenge lies on the fact that the development of the extracellular matrixes requires specialized cells known as chondrocytes which are sparse in numbers. Chondrocytes’ minimal self-renewal capacity makes it further troublesome and expens...

This study aims to investigate the possibility of recycling devulcanized rubber tires for their use as fillers for thermoplastic thermal insulators. A devulcanized rubber tire was ground into powder and then mixed with polystyrene in different proportions (0–50 wt%) using a melt extruder. The mixture was then transferred to a hot press for fabricat...