The Espinosa research group

A long-standing tradition of bringing together experts in different subject areas to create a rich, multidisciplinary environment where fruitful research thrives.

Principal Investigator

Prof. Horacio D. Espinosa

Horacio Dante Espinosa is the James and Nancy Farley Professor of Manufacturing and Entrepreneurship, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Biomedical Engineering, and the Director of the Theoretical and Applied Mechanics Program at the McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University (NU).

Espinosa is a mechanician and nanotechnologist known for his contributions in the areas of deformation and failure of materials, design of micro- and nano-systems, and microfluidics for single cell manipulation and analysis. He has published over 300 technical papers in these topics. In recognition to his many contributions, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2020. Throughout the years, his work has received broad attention in the specialized media.



Current Members

Nicolas A. Alderete

Graduate student

Nicolas is from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He received his Professional Mechanical Engineering Degree (Masters equivalent) from the Buenos Aires Institute of Technology (ITBA) in 2015. After graduating, he worked for two years in the R&D department of Tenaris S.A. working on computational modeling and mechanical testing of fatigue-subject components for the O&G industry. During 2016-2018 he moved to consulting where he led several projects on applied computational mechanics and mechanical design for the Argentine Steel, Aerospace, Nuclear and Automotive industries. He joined Prof. Espinosa’s group at Northwestern University in Fall 2018 to pursue his Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics. His research focuses on multifunctional materials, at the intersections of mechanical metamaterials and biologically-inspired materials. When not in the lab Nicolas enjoys reading, road tripping, going to the philharmonic and checking out the Chicago scene.

This Could be You

 

Check out our openings page, contact us and apply!

This Could be You

 

Check out our openings page, contact us and apply!

Former Graduate Students

Alumni

Thesis / Project

Current Position

Agrawal, Ravi

Ph.D. 2010

Atomistic Modeling of ZnO and GaN Nanowire Elasticity, Fracture and Piezoelectric Size Effects

Project Lead

Shell, India

Arrieta, Hernan V.

M.Sc. 1999

Dynamic Testing of Advanced Materials at High and Low Temperatures

Digitization Advisor

Knorr-Bremse GmbH, Germany

Francois Barthelat

Ph.D. 2005

The Mechanical Performance of Nacre from Seashells: Superior Toughness Through Microstructural Design

Professor

University of Colorado Boulder

Bellur, R.

Ph.D. XXX

The Mechanical Performance of Nacre from Seashells: Superior Toughness Through Microstructural Design

Professor

University of Colorado Boulder

Bernal Montoya, Rodrigo

Ph.D. 2014

Mechanical and Electromechanical Properties of Semiconducting and Metallic Nanowires

Assistant Professor

University of Texas at Dallas

Castiglioni, A.

M.Sc. XXXX

The Mechanical Performance of Nacre from Seashells: Superior Toughness Through Microstructural Design

Professor

University of Colorado Boulder

Dong, Siyan

Ph.D. 2020

Experimental Approaches and Device Fabrication Methods Toward Investigation of Properties of Two-dimensional Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDCs)

Packaging R&D Engineer

Intel Corporation

Emore, Gordon

M.Sc. 1996

Computational Modeling of Geometric and Material Nonlinearities with Applications to Impact Dynamics

Adjunct Faculty

Ivy Tech Community College

Fischer, Maximiliano

M.Sc. 1999

MEMS Materials Testing

Consultant

Ke, Changhong

Ph.D. 2006

Development of a Feedback-Controlled Carbon Nanotube-Based Nanoelectromechanical Device

Professor

Binghamton University SUNY

Keun-Ho, Kim

Ph.D. 2006

Design and Fabrication of a Multi-Probe Device with Microfluidics for Massively Parallel Nanolithography

Principal Research Engineer

LG Corporation

Lee, Sungsoo

Ph.D. 2005

Dynamic Failure of Blast-Resistant Structures Subjected to Impulsive Loading

Research Engineer

Phillips Corporation

Lin, Zhaowen

Ph.D. 2022

Mechanical Behavior of Micro and Nano Materials at High Strain Rate and High Temperature

Application Engineer

Knowles Corporation

Locascio, Mark

M.Sc. 2009

Carbon Nanotube Strengthening Through Irradiation-Induced Crosslinking Defects

Project Engineer

DMC Corporation

Loh, Owen

Ph.D. 2011

Manufacturing and Reliability of Nanoscale Devices

Group Leader

Intel Corporation

Lu, Hung-Cheng

Ph.D. 1998

Ballistic Penetration of Fiber Reinforced Composites

Research Engineer

Borg Warner Automotive Company

McFarland, Gavin

M.Sc. 2011

Mechanical Properties of Stacked Cup Carbon Nanofibers

Mechanical Engineer

US Army ARDEC

Milan, M.

M.Sc. XXXX

Mxxxxxxx

xxxxxxx

Mori, Lapo

Ph.D. 2008

Lightweight Structures and Novel Steel Alloys Resistant to Impulsive Loading

Partner

McKinsey & Company

Mukherjee, Prithvijit

Ph.D. 2022

Microfluidic Platforms for Localized Electroporation mediated Cell Manipulation and Analysis

Research Engineer

Illumina

Nathamgari Prasad, Samba Shiva

Ph.D. 2019

Nanoscale Experimental Methods Applied to Atomically-Thin Resonators
and Single-Cell Analysis

Research Engineer

Intel Corporation

Nguyen, Hoang

Ph.D. 2022

The Effect of Crack-Parallel Stresses on Fracture Properties of Quasibrittle and Ductile Materials

Postdoctoral Researcher

Northwestern University

Panico, Michele

M.Sc. 2005

Multiscale Modeling of Plasticity Size Scale Effects in Freestanding Submicron Thin Films

Lead Pipeline Engineer

Exxon Mobil Corporation

Pantano, Maria

Ph.D. 2012

Design and Application of a Novel Microelectromechanical System for In Situ SEM/TEM Displacement Controlled Tensile Testing of Nanostructures

Professor

University of Trento, Italy

Parpoil, Victor

M.Sc. XXXX

XXXXX

XXXXXXX

 

Pathak, Nibir

Ph.D. 2023

Localized Electroporation Based Intracellular Delivery and Machine Learning Assisted Design of Kirigami Meta Materials

Engineer

Abbvie

 

Patino, Cesar

Ph.D. 2023

Integrating Microfluidics, Nanophotonics, and Deep Learning for Live-Cell Analysis and Engineering

Biomedical Engineer

Procter and Gamble

 

Patanella, Alejandro

M.Sc. 1998

A Novel Experimental Technique for Dynamic Friction Studies

Professor

Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Argentina

Peng, Bei

Ph.D. 2008

Mechanical Characterization of One-Dimensional Nanomaterials

Professor and Associate Dean

University of Electronics Science and Technology of China

Ramachandramoorthy, Rajaprakash 

Ph.D. 2017

Deformation and Failure in Metallic Nanowires Under Stress-relaxation, Cyclic and High Strain Rate Loading Conditions

Group Leader

Max Planck Forschung Institut, Germany

Ramaswamy, Ravi

Ph.D. 2005

Numerical Simulation of Fluid-Structure Interactions

Professor

Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology, India

Soler-Crespo, Rafael

Ph.D. 2017

An Experimental-Theoretical Investigation of the Mechanical and Interfacial Properties of Functionalized Graphene-Based Nanomaterials

Senior Analyst

Enova International

Roenbeck, Michael

Ph.D. 2016

Probing the Mechanics of Carbon Nanomaterial Interfaces through Nanoscale Experiments

Assistant Professor

US Merchant Marine Academy

Safi, Asmahan

Ph.D. 2012

From Lab to Fab: Developing a Nanoscale Delivery Tool for Scalable Nanomanufacturing

Quality Engineer

Medtronic

Rong, Wang

M.Sc. 2003

Nanoindentation Testing of Nanomaterials

XXX

University of California Irvine

 

 Yueping, Xu

M.Sc. 1997

Failure Mechanisms in Glasses and Glass Ceramics

President and Chief Technical Officer

Intelligent MEMS Design Inc.

Zaheri, Alireza

Ph.D. 2019

Convergent Evolution in Biological Lamellar Systems: Multiscale Structures and Mechanics

Sr. Manager AI Labs

American Express

Zavattieri, Pablo D.

Ph.D. 2000

Computational Modeling for Bridging Size Scales in the Failure of Solids

Professor

Purdue University

Zhang, Xu

Ph.D. 2021

Combined In Situ Experimental and Computational Study on the Intrinsic Fracture Properties and Toughening of Two-dimensional Materials

Research Engineer

Zhu, Yong 

Ph.D. 2005

Development of a Nanoscale Material Testing System and in situ SEM/TEM Study of the Mechanical Behavior of Nanostructures

Professor

North Carolina State University

Former Postdoctoral Fellows

and Visiting Scholars

Alumni

Project

Current Position

Ammu, Srikanth 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2014

Inkjet-based Fabrication of Graphene-based Materials

Quad Graphics

Asgari, Meisam

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2019

Material, structural and mechanical strategies for size adaptation in the elytra of Cetoniinae beetles

Beese, Alison

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2010

Structure-Property Relationships of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials and Macroscopic Materials

Associate Professor

Penn State

Benedetti, Ivano

Visiting Scholar, 2016

Mechanical Properties of Graphene Oxide Monolayers using FEA

Professor

University of Palermo, Italy

Berbenni, Stephane 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2003

Discrete Dislocation Dynamics Modeling of Size Scale Effects in Thin Films

Researcher

Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), France

Chang, Lingqian 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2016

Single-Cell Analysis

Assistant Professor

University of North Texas

Chon, Michael 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2016

Bio-Inspired Design of Materials

Staff Scientist

Form Energy, Inc.

Comi, Claudia 

Visiting Scholar, 2006

Mechanical Properties of Nacre Constituents

Professor

Politecnico Di Milano, Italy

Corigliano, Alberto 

Visiting Scholar, 2006

Thermal Actuators for MEMS Based Tensile Testing Devices

Professor

Politecnico Di Milano, Italy

Daly, Matthew 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2017

Bio-Inspired Design of Materials

Assistant Professor

University of Illinois at Chicago

Dwivedi, Sunil Kumar 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2009

Dynamic Crack Propagation in Bi-materials and Fiber Composites

Modeling of Finite Deformation Plasticity and Fragmentation

Research Professor

Georgia Tech

Filleter, Tobin 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2009

Load Transfer Mechanisms in Carbon Based Materials

Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Size Effects in Graphene and Semiconducting Nanowires

Associate Professor

University of Toronto

Gailly, Benjamin 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2000

Modeling of Fragmentation in Brittle Materials

Engineer

Atelier Industriel de l’Aeronautique de Cuers-Pierrefeu, France

Gao, Wei 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2015

Mechanical and Interfacial Properties of Graphene-Based Materials

Mechanical Properties and Size Effects in Nanowires

Assistant Professor

University of Texas, San Antonio

Gregoire, David 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2009

Mechanical Properties of Nacre Constituents

Fluid-Structure Interaction Experiments

Professor

Pau University, France

Huang, Changjin 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2014

Mechanics of Single Cells

Professor

Nanyang Technological University

Hyde, Brian 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2004

Uniaxial Stress Testing Utilizing a Novel Micromechanical Test Stage

Engineering Scientist

CACI International

Kang, Wonmo 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2014

Single Cell Analysis Using NFP-E and Microfluidics Devices

Professor

Arizona State University

Kuljanishvili, Irma 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2011

Carbon Nanotube Growth for NEMS Devices

Electromechanical Characterization of Nanowires

Department Chair

St. Louis University

Latourte, Felix 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2008

Experiments and Simulations of Fluid-Structure Interaction

Research Engineer

EDF R&D, France

McNaughton, Rebecca 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2010

Mechanics of Single Cells

Assistant Director

Office of Research Development, Northwestern University

Medina, Lior 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2019

Kirigami Metamaterials

Assistant Professor

Tel-Aviv University

Minary, Majid 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2010

Single Cell Nanoinjection Using Nanofountain Probes

Investigation of Electromechanical Coupling in Semiconductor Nanowires

Professor

University of Texas at Dallas

Naghari, Mohammad 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2010

Nanomechanics and Mechanical Characterization of Soft Nanostructures

Associate Professor

Texas A&M University

Oh, Chung-Seog

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2018

Deformation of Metallic Micropillars

Professor

Kumoh National Institute of Technology

Prorok, Barton 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2001

Small Scale Plasticity in MEMS and Nanodevices

Professor

Auburn University

Pucha, Raghuram V. 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2000

Pressure-Shear Recovery of Ceramics Simulations

Senior Lecturer

Georgia Tech.

Pugno, Nicola 

Visiting Scholar, 2005

Carbon Nanotube Based Nanoelectromechanical Systems

Professor

Universita di Trento, Italy

Rim, Jee

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2007

Mechanical Properties of Biomimetic Materials

Data Scientist

Data Scientist

Restrepo, David 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2017

Bio-inspired Design of Materials

Assistant Professor

University of Texas at San Antonio

Russel, Benjamin

Visiting Scholar, 2014

Mechanical Properties of Biological Materials

Professor

Cambridge University

Tang, Huang 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2006

Discrete Dislocation Dynamics of Size Scale Plasticity in Thin Films and Pillars

Engineer

Exxon Mobil

Tran, Phuong 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2010

Dynamic Behavior of Materials and Structures

Assistant Professor

University of Melbourne, Australia

Yang, Ruiguo 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2014

Mechanics of Single Cells

Assistant Professor

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Yavari, Fazel 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2012

Nanofountain Probe Electroporation, Materials Testing

Senior Engineer

Stryker

Yuan, Gang 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 1997

Enhanced Ballistic Performance of Confined Multi-Layered Ceramic Targets Against Long Rod Penetrators Through Interface Defeat

Engineer

Intel Corporation

Wei, Xiaoding 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2011

Mechanical and Interfacial Properties of Carbon-Based Nanomaterials

Assistant Professor

Peking University

Wu, Zhu 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2002

Nano and Multilayered Materials

Packaging & Reliability Engineer

Schott Optovance

Wu, Bin 

Postdoctoral Fellow, 2006

Patterning Nanoparticles with AFM-Nanofountain Probes