Mahmoud Hussein

Mahmoud Hussein is a Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder, affiliated with the College of Engineering and Applied Science. He holds the Alvah and Harriet Hovlid Professorship and leads the Aerospace Mechanics Research Center (AMReC). His research focuses on phononics, nanophononic metamaterials, thermal transport, and fluid-structure interaction. He has pioneered advancements in controlling heat and flow using phononic crystals and metamaterials, with applications in energy efficiency and aerospace systems.

Education:

• PhD, Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 2004
• MS, Mathematics, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 2002
• MS, Applied Mechanics, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, 1999
• MS, Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, 1995
• BS, Mechanical Engineering, The American University in Cairo, 1994

Research Interests:

His work includes theoretical and experimental studies of dispersive waves, periodic materials, and phononic subsurfaces for thermal and flow control. Key areas include nanoscale thermal transport, metamaterials for thermoelectricity, and turbulence reduction in aerodynamics. He co-founded the International Phononics Society and organizes the Phononics conference series.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2018)
• NSF CAREER Award (2013)
• ARPA-E Grant ($2.5M, 2018)
• Multiple university and national awards for research and teaching

Grants & Collaborations:

Recipient of multidisciplinary Defense Department grants and a $2.5M ARPA-E award for nanophononic thermoelectric devices. Collaborates with NIST, JILA, and CU’s Physics and Mechanical Engineering departments on experimental validations.

Labs & Teams:

Leads the Phononics research group within AMReC, focusing on metamaterials and their applications in aerospace and energy systems. Active in interdisciplinary projects with industry and national labs.