Erik ThostensonView profile
Professor
Erik Thostenson is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Delaware, with an affiliated appointment in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. He holds degrees from the University of Delaware (PhD/MS in Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering) and Winona State University (BS in Composite Materials Engineering, Summa Cum Laude). His research focuses on advanced composite materials, nanotechnology, and multifunctional sensor integration into composites. Dr. Thostenson's expertise spans composites processing, nanomaterials characterization (particularly carbon nanotubes), and structural health monitoring. His work emphasizes developing novel fabrication techniques like electrophoretic deposition for hierarchical composites, with applications in aerospace, civil infrastructure, and biomedical wearable sensors. Notable awards include the NSF CAREER Award, Air Force YIP Award, Elsevier Young Composites Researcher Award, and Hayashi International Memorial Award. He has pioneered methods for in situ sensing in composites using nanomaterials, enabling real-time damage detection and smart material systems. His research portfolio includes over 100 publications on topics like carbon nanotube-based sensors, additive manufacturing of composite tooling, and VR-integrated rehabilitation systems. He has also contributed to industry-relevant solutions such as scalable roll-to-roll composite manufacturing and structural repair methodologies.











