Shawn Chester

Shawn Chester is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). His research focuses on advanced materials science and mechanical engineering, particularly in polymer degradation, coupled thermo-mechanical systems, and biomaterials. He has secured federal grants from the National Science Foundation for projects like 'Damage Evolution in Polymeric Materials' and 'Smart Polymeric Gels'.

Key research areas include finite element analysis, large deformation mechanics, and sustainable materials development. His work integrates experimental and computational methods to study material behavior under environmental and mechanical stresses.

Recent projects include investigating photo-degradation of polymers, mycelium-based materials, and viscoelasticity in rubber composites. Media coverage highlights his contributions to sustainable materials and translational research initiatives at NJIT.