Dr. Dorina Mihut

Dr. Dorina Marta Mihut is an Associate Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Mercer University School of Engineering. She graduated with Ph.D. in Materials Science at University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Ph.D. in Technical Physics at Babes-Bolyai University, Romania; M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Technical University Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Her teaching and research interests are in the area of materials science and engineering, thin films and coatings depositions using physical vapor deposition systems and related analysis, coatings for wear and corrosion resistance improvement, environmental protection, protection against electromagnetic interference, and antibacterial coatings. Before joining Mercer University, Dr. Dorina Mihut worked as Associate Professor at The University of Texas Pan American, TX, USA, and as Process Engineer at Ion Bond, IHI Group, USA.

Education

• Ph.D Materials Science, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
• Ph.D Technical Physics, Babes-Balyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
• M.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska, Lincoln
• B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Cluj – Napoca, Romania

Specialization

Materials Science and Engineering, Thin Films, and Coatings

Professional Interests

• Development of thin films for improving materials resistance to effects of erosion, abrasion and related mechanical characterization
• Development of coatings deposited on epoxy, vinyl ester and composites for improving the resistance of structures to UV radiation, high temperature and moisture exposure and related mechanical characterization
• Analysis of antibacterial effects in contaminated water using metallic thin films coated on water filter paper
• Physical vapor deposition of thin films on carbon nanofiber reinforced polymer substrates and polymer nanofibers
• Development of metallic and ceramic nanotubes
• Nanomechanical and nanotribological characterization of metal nitrides thin films using Atomic Force Microscopy
• Preparation and investigation of ternary metal nitrides nanocomposite thin films
• Physical Vapor Deposition using Thermal Evaporator, DC and RF Magnetron Sputtering Equipment

Recent Publications

Journals

• Mihut, D. M., Afshar, A., “Electrically Assisted Silver and Copper Coated Filter Papers with Enhanced Bactericidal Effects”, Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Elsevier, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2020.125428
• Afshar, A., Mihut, D. M., “Enhancing Durability of 3D Printed Polymer Structures by Metallization”, Journal of Materials Science and Technology, 2020
• Mihut, D. M., Afshar, A., Lackey, L. W., Le, K., “Antibacterial Effectiveness of Metalized Water Filter Paper by Magnetron Sputtering Deposition”, Surface and Coatings Technology, 368, 59-66, 2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2019.04.039
• Afshar, A., Mihut, D. M., Baqersad, J., Hill, S. D., “Study of metallic thin films on epoxy matrix as protective barrier to ultraviolet radiation”, Surface and Coatings Technology, 367, 41-48, 2019. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2019.03.062
• Afshar, A., Mihut, D. M., Chen, P., “Effects of environmental exposures on carbon fiber epoxy composites protected by metallic thin films”, Journal of Composite Materials, 2019, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0021998319859051
• Afshar, A., Mihut, D. M., Hill, S. D., Baqersad, J., “Synergistic effects of environmental exposures on polymer matrix with or without metallic coating protection”, Journal of Composite Materials, 52(27), 3773-3784, 2018, http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0021998318770244
• Mihut, D. M., Lozano, K., Foltz, H., “Fabrication and characterization of silver- and copper-coated Nylon 6 forcespun nanofibers by thermal evaporation”, Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A: Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, 32(6), 061401, 2014, http://dx.doi.org/10.1116/1.4896752
• M. Mihut, K. Lozano, S. C. Tidrow, H. Garcia, “Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Effectiveness of Nanoreinforced Polymer Composites Deposited with Conductive Metallic Thin Films”, Thin Solid Films, 530, 6547-6550, 2012.
• M. Mihut, S. M. Aouadi, S. L. Rohde, “Assessing Nanomechanical, Nanotribological Properties and Surface Energies of Inconel-ZrN, Cr-ZrN, Nb-ZrN and ZrN Thin Films”, Tribology Transactions, 53: 1-7, 2010.

Conference Proceedings

• D. M. Mihut, A. Afshar, S. Hill, D. Kennedy, “Design of a New Lab for Mechanical Evaluations of Molded and 3 D Printed Polymers”, American Society for Engineering Education, Southeastern Section, 2020
• Hill, D. M. Mihut, Matthews M.B., “Implementation of a Student Designed Material Wear Tester in a Mechanical Engineering Lab to Better Understand Student Learning as it pertains to ABET Student Outcome 6” American Society for Engineering Education, Southeastern Section, 2020
• Mihut, D. M., Afshar, A., “Study of electrically conductive structures consisting of copper thin films deposited on water filter papers and their antibacterial activity”, Conference Proceedings, Society of Vacuum Coaters, 2019, https://doi.org/10.14332/svc19.proc.0011
• Hill, S. D., Mihut, D. M., Afshar, A., Grantham, Z., Culp, J. K., “Comparative Study of Erosion on Uncoated and Metallic Coated Polymers and Composites”, 2018, Albuquerque, NM: Society of Vacuum Coaters. https://doi.org/10.14332/svc18.proc.0063
• M. Mihut, A. Afshar, S. Hill, R. Alyamani, A. Aldhubaie, P. Chen, S. Schroeder, “Study the Effects of UV Radiation, High Temperature and Moisture on Epoxy with and without Titanium Metallic Coating”, Conference Proceedings, American Society for Engineering Education, Southeastern Section, 2018
• Hill, D. M. Mihut, A. Afshar, A. Aldhubaie, R. Alyamani, T. Welch, “Development of a Salt Fog Corrosion Test Apparatus”, Conference Proceedings, American Society for Engineering Education, Southeastern Section, 2018
• M. Mihut, L. Lackey, S. Hill, Khang Le, “Research on Water Purification and Antibacterial Effects of Metallic Nanoparticles Deposited Using DC High Vacuum Magnetron Sputtering on Filtering Materials”, Conference Proceedings, International Conference: 60th Annual Technical Conference, Society of Vacuum Coaters, 2018
• Hill, D. Mihut, P. Harpe, J. Borba, P. Maleson, V. Alves, R. Couto, “Incorporation of Impact Erosion and Corrosion Behavior of Multi-layer Metallic Nitride Structures Deposited on Various Metal Substrates into a Lab-Based Class”, Conference Proceedings, American Society for Engineering Education, Zone II, Puerto Rico, 2017
• M. Mihut, R. Reyna, H. Cortez, L. Materon, K. Lozano, “Antibacterial Response of Structures Consisting of Silver Coated and Ampicillin Incorporated Nylon 6 Nanofibers”, Conference Proceedings, International Conference: 57th Annual Technical Conference, Society of Vacuum Coaters, Chicago, IL, 2015
• Mihut, D. M., Lozano, K., Materon, L., Zhao, W., Crisan, C., “Surface Functionalization of Nylon 6 Nanofibers by Thermal Evaporated Silver Thin Films and Antibacterial Performance. Society of Vacuum Coaters 56th Annual Technical Conference Proceedings”, 2013, Society of Vacuum Coaters. http://dx.doi.org/10.14332/svc13.proc.1112
• M. Mihut, K. Lozano, N. Flores, R. Garcia, “Preparation and Characterization of Structures Composed of Nylon 6 Forcespun Nanofibers Coated with Thermal Evaporated Silver Thin Films”, 55th Annual Technical Conference Proceedings, Society of Vacuum Coaters, Santa Clara, CA, 2012
• M. Mihut, K. Lozano, H. Garcia, “Investigation on Structures Consisting of Aluminum Thin Films Deposited on High Density Polyethylene Substrates Reinforced with Carbon Nanofibers for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding”, 55th Annual Technical Conference Proceedings, Society of Vacuum Coaters, Santa Clara, CA, 2012

Contact

478.301.2565
mihut_dm@mercer.edu
Office: Engineering Building 105G