RESEARCH INTEREST
Composite Material,
Fracture Mechanics,
Impact,
Lightweight Aerospace Structures,
Modelling,
Strain Rate Sensitivity.
QUALIFICATIONS
1995-1997 Diploma of Mechanical Engineering
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
1997-2000 Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
2001-2003 Master of Mechanical Engineering
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
2008-2012 PhD
University of Liverpool
EMPLOYMENT
1999-2000 Lecturer
L&G Twintech, Sri Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.
2000-2012 Tutor/Lecturer
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
2014-present Senior Lecturer
My name is Mohamad Zaki Bin Hassan, and I am a senior lecturer in the Engineering and Technology Department at the Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics (Razak Faculty) at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). My teaching activities are closely related to technology management, mechanical engineering, materials, and the manufacturing field. Specifically, I teach a fundamental mechanical subject like the strength of materials and manufacturing technology, whereas, in operation management, I am proficiently teaching in engineering economics and technology management subjects.
After graduating from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, I began my academic career as a lecturer at L&G Twintech in 1999. After almost six months there, in February 2000, I started my academic career as a tutor at the Diploma Study Program (PPD) UTM in Kuala Lumpur. I completed my master’s degree in mechanical engineering from UTM in 2003. In the same year, I was appointed as a lecturer in the same department. At the end of 2008, I pursued study in composite structure at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Liverpool, United Kingdom. After completing my thesis in “The Low-Velocity Impact Response of Sandwich Structures” I was awarded PhD in winter 2012. I started exploring my research expertise in composite structures and looking for new research opportunities in this discipline. My knowledge of polymer and composite structures has been translated from academics to industry, where it has shown to be quite beneficial.
I was transferred to the newly founded faculty, UTM Razak School of Engineering and Technology (Razak School) in 2010 due to the UTM Transformation Plan. Here, I served as a senior lecturer and was involved in multidisciplinary postgraduate teaching, supervision, and research. I have appointed a few administrations’ positions in Razak School including head of research group and head of a panel in mechanical engineering. During the new UTM restructuring plan or “UTM Synergy” in 2018, Razak School has been merged with a few departments and renamed as Razak Faculty of Technology and Informatics (Razak Faculty). As the faculty is focusing on synergy, as a result, several multidisciplinary academic and research activities are promoted. Currently, I’ve worked on a variety of cross-disciplinary postgraduate in teaching, supervision, and research projects, as well as consultation programs with local and international partners. Since then, I have graduated with several masters and PhD in mechanical engineering and currently supervising more than 10 ongoing postgraduate students.
In 2017, I explored the possibility to use waste polymers that can be combined with a biodegradable material to fabricate a new product. The goal of this research was to improve the bonding properties and performance of composites. It focused on the material’s durability, life cycle, and strength to face extreme weather like humidity, UV, and harsh weather situations. The composites were utilized to form a breakwater structure that reduces wave and current in saline water and muddy conditions along the shoreline. The structures were installed at Pantai Kelanang, Banting, Selangor. Meanwhile, I also investigated the use of this recycled plastic such as PET, PVC, and PP as a flood stick gauge.
Furthermore, additional research has been focused on the use of this recycled polymer as a building material, including floor tile, roofing brick, beam structure, and wall. These structures were validated using FEM and a mathematical model. I have also focused on improving the bonding characteristic between the natural fibers and matrixes. Natural fiber incompatibility with polymer matrix due to hydrophilic and hydrophobic interaction of both components. Natural fibers’ high moisture content makes them difficult to blend effectively with the polymer matrix, ultimately compromising the mechanical characteristics of the structural laminate. Kenaf, jute, hemp, and bamboo are the primary natural fibers used in this work.
Also, since 2015, my students and I have been working to improve the capabilities of 3D printing for metal and polymer technology throughout the optimum design of lattice structures that can produce a lightweight composite aircraft structure and biomedical implant. This involves improving the material stability and providing such a greater structural property that offers a high strength to weight ratio. Currently, I already published 118 refereed journals and proceedings, three original books, nine book chapters and nine expert reports.
During my career as an academician, I have been appointed to many academic and non-academic administration committees and positions. In the early year in UTM, I was appointed as workshop and laboratory head, academic program coordinator, industrial training coordinator and coordinator for the adult learning program. Subsequently, I have been allowed to manage academic collaboration programs with other colleges in Malaysia by appointing me as head of the department.
I am a member of The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM), a professional member (P. Tech.) of the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBOT), and an IEEE member. I also actively engage and have been appointed to a local community committee.
