HDR Opportunities
I actively welcome HDR candidates motivated to work at the intersection of fundamentals and real‑world impact. Prospective HDR candidates will gain hands‑on experience with state‑of‑the‑art experimental facilities at UNSW Canberra, advanced modelling, and interdisciplinary collaboration, contributing to research with strong scientific depth and real‑world relevance.

The PhD projects will address some of the most demanding challenges in modern engineering, where materials must survive extreme loading, resist fire, and be manufactured with precision. We will combine experimental mechanics, advanced manufacturing and bioinspired design to develop next‑generation materials and structures. Most of projects are in collaboration with external stakeholders: CSIRO, ANSTO, Australian Synchrotron, DST-G, ANU, U. Queensland, Curtin Uni among others.  

MAIN THEMES:

Shock, Ballistic and Low Velocity Impact Performance
We investigate how materials and structures respond to extreme shock, impact, and ballistic events. This theme focuses on energy absorption, damage mitigation, and survivability under high loading conditions, supporting applications in defence, aerospace, and protective systems.

Recent examples of current and previous work:

• Shah S.; Hazell P.J.; Wang H.; Escobedo J.P., (2025), Shock wave mitigation using periodically discrete material layers of variable orientation: Experiments and simulations, Journal of Applied Physics, 137 (11), Art. no. 115905, https://doi.org/10.1063/5.02493
• Ameri A.; Wang H.; Li Z.; Quadir Z.; Gonzalez M.; Hazell P.J.; Escobedo-Diaz J.P., (2022), Spall strength dependence on peak stress and deformation history in Lean Duplex Stainless Steel 2101, Materials Science and Engineeing: A, 831, Art. no. 142158, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2021.142158

High Strain Rate Behaviour
We investigate the mechanical behaviour of materials at high strain rates is critical for dynamic events such as impacts, blasts, and crashes. Our work explores rate‑dependent deformation and failure mechanisms using advanced testing and modelling to inform resilient and high‑performance designs.

Examples of current and previous work:

• Kader M.A.; Wares M.A.; Islam M.A.; Hazell P.J.; Escobedo J.P.; Saadatfar M., (2025), Dynamic Deformation Mechanisms and Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Closed-Cell Foams of Various Topologies, Advanced Engineering Materials, 27 (9), Art. no. 2401892, https://doi.org/10.1002/adem.202401892
• Dura H.B.; Hazell P.J.; Wang H.; Escobedo-Diaz J.P.; Wang J., (2025), Strain rate sensitivity of five 3D printed polymer materials, Polymer, 337, Art. no. 128953, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2025.128953

Additive Manufacturing

We use additive manufacturing to create architected materials and tailored microstructures that are not possible with conventional processes. Research spans process–structure–property relationships, mechanical performance, and the design of multifunctional components.

Examples of current and previous work:

• Dong H.; Wang H.; Hazell P.J.; Sun N.; Dura H.B.; Escobedo-Diaz J.P., (2025), Effects of printing parameters on the quasi-static and dynamic compression behaviour of 3D-printed re-entrant auxetic structures, Thin-Walled Structures, 210, Art. no. 113000, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2025.113000
• Wang J.; East D.; Morozov E.V.; Seeber A.; Escobedo-Diaz J.P., (2021), Microstructure and hardness variation of additively manufactured Ti–Ni–C functionally graded composites, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 865, Art. no. 158976, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2021.158976

Bioinspired Materials and Structures
Inspired by nature’s efficient designs, we develop materials and structures that combine strength, toughness, and adaptability. This theme translates biological principles into engineering solutions for lightweight protection, impact resistance, and multifunctional performance.

Examples of current and previous work:

• Dura H.B.; Hazell P.J.; Wang H.; Escobedo-Diaz J.P., (2026), Enhancing puncture resistance in composite protective structures via bio-inspired carp fish scale-tissue architectures, Composite Structures, 385, Art. no. 120199.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2026.120199
• Siddique S.H.; Hazell P.J.; Pereira G.G.; Wang H.; Escobedo J.P., (2025), Impact response of 3D printed cornstalk-inspired structures: The effect of indenter shape on penetration, International Journal of Impact Engineering, 195, Art. no. 105143, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2024.105143

Biomechanics
Our biomechanics research bridges engineering and biology, focusing on the mechanical behaviour of bio‑engineered systems. Applications include injury mechanics, protective equipment, and the development of materials and structures that safely interact with the human body.

Examples of current and previous work:

• Pyla K.R.; Wang H.; Escobedo-Diaz J.P., (2025), Biomechanical Performance of Additively Manufactured Bone-Mimicking Scaffolds with Graded Architectures, Advanced Materials Technologies, 10 (22), Art. no. e00504, https://doi.org/10.1002/admt.202500504
• Pyla K.R.; Wang H.; Escobedo-Diaz J.P., (2025), Porosity-dependent mechanical response of PLA Voronoi scaffolds under quasi-static and impact loading, Materials Today Communications, 49, Art. no. 114181, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2025.114181

Fire Resistance
We study the response of materials and structures to extreme thermal and fire environments. This theme addresses degradation, failure, and protective strategies to enhance safety and resilience in infrastructure, transportation, and advanced engineering systems.

Examples of current and previous work:

• Eissa O.; Filkov A.I.; Escobedo J.P.; Ghodrat M., (2026), The effect of fuel structure and wind speed on ignition behaviour and fire spread of wildland fuels under firebrand exposure, Fire Safety Journal, 162, Art. no. 104692, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.firesaf.2026.104692
• Ncube R.; Ghodrat M.; Escobedo-Diaz J.P., (2025), From frameworks to firewalls: metal-organic frameworks as smart additives for flame-retardant polymers, Polymer Degradation and Stability, 242, Art. no. 111643, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2025.111643

If interested in any of the areas below, please contact me directly via e-mail. Only students with potential to being successful in securing admission and scholarship will be considered. For more information see link: UNSW HDR Application eligibility and process