Biography
Dr. Hector Medina is a professor at the School of Engineering and is also an experienced researcher. Dr. Medina has a variety of interdisciplinary research interests, including:
- Mechanics of bio-systems and biomaterials,
- Fluid-structure interactions,
- Fracture mechanics of composites and inclusions,
- Mechanical behavior of interfaces and thin films.
Applications of Dr. Medina’s research include bio-medicine, the sustainability of mechanical systems, surface engineering, and more. With a hybrid degree in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Dr. Medina also has experimental research experience on Nuclear Radiation Detection. As part of his work in fracture mechanics, Dr. Medina developed a mathematical formula to predict the stress concentration and likelihood of brittle fracture of surfaces at an early stage of random degradation, using experimental, analytical, and Finite Element methods. The findings Dr. Medina’s research have been published in various leading journals in the field such as Applied Mechanics Reviews, Polymer, and the International Journal of Solids and Structures.
Additionally, Dr. Medina is actively involved in engineering education research, specifically in the area of metacognitive skills development. Dr. Medina has had a leading role in the development of the Mechanical Engineering program at Liberty University. His contribution has included major improvements in curriculum design, development of course syllabi, and support of laboratory setup.
Research Highlights
- Aerial Social Distancing Monitoring with Drones, Hackster.io
- Computer Vision and Machine Learning to Increase Crop Yield, OpenCV Artificial Intelligence Competition
- A Rose Garden on Titanium Surfaces, Advanced Science News
- Research Faculty showcase: Dr. Medina and Carson Farmer
Publications
- Medina, H. & Kohler, R. “Novel Rosette-like Formations with Nanothick Petals Observed on Acid-etched Titanium”, Engineering Reports. (2020) DOI: 10.1002/eng2.12247.
- Medina, H., Kohler, R., & Sowards, K. (2020). Numerical model for acid-etching of titanium: Engineering surface roughness for dental implants. Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 59, 113-121. doi:10.1016/j.jmapro.2020.09.014
- Medina, H., & Farmer, C. (2020). Dimensionless parameter-based numerical model for double conical dielectric elastomer actuators. Engineering Research Express, 2(3), 035020. doi:10.1088/2631-8695/abaec5
- Medina, H., & Farmer, C. W. (2020). Improved Model for Conical Dielectric Elastomer Actuators With Fewer Electrical Connections. Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics, 12(3). doi:10.1115/1.4045651
- Medina, H., Thomas, M., Eldredge, T., & Adebanjo, A. (2019). The M Number: A Novel Parameter to Evaluate the Performance of Static Mixers. Journal of Fluids Engineering, 141(12). doi:10.1115/1.4044070
- Medina, H., Eldridge, T., & Hadjerioua, B. (2019). Hydrodynamic and Structural Response Modeling of a Prototype Floating Membrane Reservoir System for Pumped Storage Hydropower. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 145(9).
- Medina, H. et al., “The Stress Concentration Factor for Slightly Roughened Random Surfaces: Analytical Solution”, International Journal of Solids and Structures. 51.10 (2014): 2012-2018, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2014.02.011.
- Medina, H., et al., “Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Inglis Result: from Single Notch to Rough Surface Stress Concentration Solutions”. Applied Mechanics Reviews. (2014) 67 (1):010802-010802-9, DOI: 10.1115/1.4028069.
- Medina, H. et al., “Use of Poly Methyl (Methacrylate) in the Study of Fracture of Randomly Damaged Surfaces: I. Experimental Approach”, Polymer (2012), Vol. 53, pp. 4525-4532. DOI:10.1016/j.polymer.2012.08.012.
- Medina, H., et al., “Observations in Changes of Electrical Properties in Thermally Neutron- exposed Boron-doped Silicon Semiconductors“, ASME J of Nuclear Rad Sci., (2015); DOI: 10.1115/1.4029961. In Press (2015).
- Medina, H., “A Stress-Concentration-Formula Generating Equation”, International Journal of Solids and Structures. Under review, January 2015.
Presentations
- ASME’s ICONE21 International Conference in Chengdu, China. Topic: Early Maintenance: Stress, Strain, and Energy at Fracture of Degraded Surfaces.
- ANS Student Conference 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Topic: Generation, Mechanical and Statistical Analysis, and FEM Simulation of Fracture of Repeatable Random Rough Surfaces.
- ASME´s ICONE20POWER2012 International Conference in Anaheim, California. Topic: Thermal Neutron Irradiation and characterization of Heavily Boron-doped Silicon Semiconductors.
- The NSF-CMMI 2012 conference at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Topic: Fracture of Random Rough Surfaces of Poly Methyl Methacrylate.
- ANS Student Conference 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. Topic: Undergraduate and Graduate Students Experiences in a New Nuclear Program.
Honors and Awards
- Recipient of Venezuelan government’s most prestigious Fellowship Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho to study abroad, (only 14 students were selected from the entire nation)
- Best-paper award at the ASME’s 2012 International Conference ICONE20, in Anaheim, CA
- Best-poster award at the ASME’s 2013 International Conference ICONE21, in Chengdu, China
- NSF-CMMI Fellow to attend and present at the NSF-CMMI2012 conference at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Summer 2012.
Professional Memberships
- American Society of Mechanical Engineers
- American Nuclear Society
- American Society of Engineering Education
Liberty University SAE Faculty Supervisor
Dr. Medina currently oversees the Formula SAE Electric and Baja SAE competition teams for Liberty University’s School of Engineering. Students have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, prepare for SAE competitions, practice utilizing the engineering process from design and assembly to testing and documentation, and gain experience in understanding how engineers use their skills and knowledge in the workplace.