Engineering faculty awarded national science foundation grant

Tyler—Dr. Alwathiqbellah Ibrahim, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at The University of Texas at Tyler, received a prestigious Faculty Development Early Career grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This is the first award of its kind for the UT Tyler College of Engineering. 

NSF CAREER grants support early-career faculty who have shown potential to serve as academic role models in research and education. 

“The CAREER program is one of the National Science Foundation’s most competitive and respected honors,” said Dr. Amir Mirmiran, UT Tyler provost and chief academic officer. “We congratulate Dr. Ibrahim on this extraordinary achievement as it not only enhances our university’s research profile nationally, but it also speaks to his exceptional potential as a scholar, educator and innovator.” 

With the five-year, $525,920 award, Ibrahim will enhance hip implants with advanced biosensor technology and help improve the lives of those who use them. Ibrahim’s research interests focus on micro-electro-mechanical systems, or MEMS, with implementation in health monitoring systems, biosensors and vibration energy harvesting –– a process of converting mechanical vibrations into electrical energy. This technology can power electronic devices by tapping into naturally occurring vibrations, such as those from vehicles, machinery or human motion. 

“This project aims to develop a new generation of ‘smart’ hip implants equipped with tiny sensors that monitor the forces acting on the implant during daily activities, such as walking or running,” Ibrahim, who joined UT Tyler in 2019, said. “These sensors, which also generate their own power from movement, will send data wirelessly to doctors, allowing for early detection of potential problems like loosening or wear before they become serious.” 

In addition to advancing implant technology, Ibrahim noted the project will include educational activities to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists. 

“UT Tyler students will gain hands-on experience in designing and testing biomedical devices, while related outreach programs will engage K-12 students and educators, promoting awareness of biomedical innovation and STEM careers,” Ibrahim said. “By combining technical innovation with impactful education, this work aims to set a new standard for orthopedic implants while fostering a diverse and inclusive pipeline of future engineers.”

UT Tyler alumni and former research assistants Mohammad Atmeh of Webster (MSME 2022) and Leila Donyaparastlivari of New Jersey (MSME 2024) collaborated with Ibrahim on previous work that led up to the grant proposal. 

Ibrahim has been instrumental in supporting the research and educational efforts of the College of Engineering and the broader engineering community nationwide. He currently directs the UT Tyler Mechatronics and Energy Harvesting Laboratory, where he leads various research topics including self-powered implants, “Flat Foot” detection and fall detection for the elderly. 

SOURCE The University of Texas at Tyler