Sameer Rahatekar

Dr. Sameer Rahatekar is a Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Polymers and Composites at Cranfield University, working within the School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing and the Composites and Advanced Materials Centre. His research focuses on the development of sustainable materials derived from natural polymers including cellulose, alginate, and chitin/chitosan for engineering and biomedical applications.

Dr. Rahatekar earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge where he worked on nano-composites modelling and manufacturing. He subsequently worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in the USA, focusing on manufacturing natural polymer-based fibers using ionic liquids. He also served as a lecturer at the Advanced Composite Centre for Innovation and Science (ACCIS) at the University of Bristol.

His research encompasses several key areas:

• Development of environmentally benign methods for spinning high-performance cellulose, chitin, and chitosan fibers
• Creation of biodegradable foams from natural polymers for packaging and biomedical applications
• Manufacturing toughened glass/carbon fiber composites using nanoparticles and rubber as toughening agents
• Development of unique roll-on coating processes for nanoparticle-reinforced composites with improved properties

Dr. Rahatekar's publication record demonstrates expertise across multiple domains including sustainable materials, polymer science, nanotechnology, and composite manufacturing. His recent work has particularly focused on utilizing waste biomass and developing environmentally friendly textile alternatives with mechanical properties comparable to traditional materials like wool, polyester, and nylon.

He has secured funding from multiple prestigious sources including:

• EPSRC
• Innovate UK
• The Royal Academy of Engineering
• BBSRC/BBNet
• Newton-Bhabha Funds
• The British Council
• Industrial partners including Haydale Ltd, Meggitt Aerospace, and Hexla Ltd

His research aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure), 12 (responsible consumption and production), and 14 (life below water), focusing on sustainable manufacturing approaches with reduced carbon footprint and transportation costs.