Arkansas MATTERs

This Research Working Group (RWG) will establish an interdisciplinary hub focused on advanced materials engineering and manufacturing to solve pressing challenges in next-generation transportation and logistics. By integrating AI-driven design with experimental research, the group will generate critical seed data, develop novel material formulations, and optimize scalable manufacturing processes.

A core mission of the RWG is to train and retain a skilled STEM workforce for Arkansas by providing graduate and undergraduate students with hands-on, interdisciplinary research experience. Through exposure to industry-relevant challenges, the group aims to prepare career-ready engineers and position the team for competitive external funding from NSF, USDOT, and industry partners.

Lei (Leah) Guo, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering, leiguo@uark.edu 
Webpage: https://www.myresearch.top/ggroup/

Andrew Braham, Professor, Civil Engineering, afbraham@uark.edu 
Webpage: http://www.andrewbraham.com/

Poornachandra Vaddy, Postdoctoral Researcher, Civil Engineering, pvaddy@uark.edu

Keisha Walters, Professor, Department Head, Chemical Engineering, keishaw@uark.edu
Webpage: https://polynel.uark.edu/

Paul Millet, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, pmillett@uark.edu 
Webpage: https://millett.uark.edu/

Shengfan Zhang, Associate Professor, Industrial Engineering shengfan@uark.edu

  • Interdisciplinary research on advanced materials for next-generation transportation infrastructure, with emphasis on durability, sustainability, and economic resilience.
  • Experimental development and characterization of complex material systems, including asphalt emulsions and surfactant-engineered materials.
  • Integration of AI and machine-learning tools to link material composition and manufacturing parameters with performance outcomes.
  • Generation of seed datasets to support competitive external funding proposals to NSF, USDOT, and industry partners.
  • Hands-on training of graduate and undergraduate students in materials characterization, data analytics, and interdisciplinary problem-solving.

UARK Asphalt Materials Lab Tour and Demonstrations

Manufacturing of asphalt emulsions

Preparation of soap solution (a chemical essential for emulsion preparation)

Demonstration of particle size analyzer
Measuring storage stability of asphalt emulsions

Visual observation of asphalt emulsion sample