Dr Behnam Sobhani is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Mechanical Engineering at Teesside University, where he brings extensive expertise in computational mechanics of lightweight and low carbon materials in multiphysics environments. He has attained the status of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA). Moreover, Behnam is a Chartered Engineer (CEng) with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), reflecting his expertise and commitment to the field of mechanical engineering. 

Before joining Teesside University, Dr Sobhani conducted groundbreaking research as a postdoctoral researcher at TU-Darmstadt, Germany, focusing on developing micromechanical modelling of lightweight structures, along with his work in thermo-mechanical phase-field modelling for coupled fracture and phase transformation in polycrystalline microstructures. Notably, his academic journey included prestigious research roles at USP and UFRJ, Brazil, where he was awarded the most prestigious postdoctoral fellowship in Brazil by FAPESP. During this time, he has focused on hydrogen embrittlement and structural integrity.

Dr Sobhani holds a Ph.D. in Electro-Mechanical Engineering from Ghent University (UGent), Belgium. In his pioneering thesis conducted at the esteemed Soete Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Construction and Production, he proposed novel mathematical and comutational modelling of lightweight structures. Moreover, he earned a second doctorate degree (Doctorate of Science (DSc)) in Computational Mechanics from UFRJ, where his exceptional DSc thesis on fracture mechanics of porous media and hydraulic-induced fractures garnered recognition as the best thesis in the Department of Civil Engineering.

Dr Sobhani's expertise encompasses a broad range of multidisciplinary challenges, covering the fields of solid mechanics, materials science, and physics. His research aligns with the goals of the UK’s Net Zero Strategy, advancing understanding and applications in sustainable material engineering. His distinguished record includes over 40 publications in Science-Citation-Index journals, with an H-index of 23 and 1,724 citations on Google Scholar reflecting his significant impact. 

His research areas include:

1. Mechanics of Materials: Exploring critical phenomena such as plasticity, fracture, fatigue, and the degradation of materials, with a focus on enhancing durability and performance under diverse operational conditions.
2. Multifunctional Lightweight Materials and Structures: Advancing the development of multifunctional lightwight structures designed for cutting-edge applications, including energy storage, multistable shape programming, soft robatic, and advanced sensing technologies, while prioritising sustainability and efficiency.
3. Modelling and Optimisation: Leveraging mathematical, numerical, finite element, and data-driven methodologies to accelerate the modelling, simulation, and optimisation of solids, enabling innovation in complex engineering systems.

Dr Sobhani's strengths lie in his ability to combine theoretical knowledge with computational tools, enabling him to tackle complex engineering challenges. His dedication to understanding materials' responses in diverse environments contributes significantly to the advancement of engineering practices. Moreover, his research aligns with the pursuit of environmental sustainability, with the potential to lead to substantial reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.