Faculty Member, Institute for Color Science and Technology/Department of Environmental Research, Iran
Dr. Sahar Abdollahi Baghban is a distinguished expert in polymer engineering with specialized expertise in coatings and color science. She is currently serving as a faculty member in the Department of Environmental Research at the Institute for Color Science and Technology. With a deep background in both academia and industry, she previously held the position of Vice President at Polyresin Co., leading the R&D Department from 2018 to 2024. Dr. Baghban has also been a respected instructor at Amirkabir University of Technology, where she taught key courses on industrial resins. Her academic journey is deeply rooted at Amirkabir University, where she earned her BSc, MSc, and PhD in Polymer Engineering. Her work emphasizes sustainable and advanced polymeric coatings, self-stratifying and acoustic resins, and nanocoatings for environmental and industrial applications. Dr. Baghban is a multi-published researcher and an active contributor to innovations in eco-friendly coating technologies.
Professional Profile
Education Background
Dr. Sahar Abdollahi Baghban has pursued her entire academic career at Amirkabir University of Technology, a leading institution in Iran. She completed her PhD in Polymer Engineering – Coating Industry (2016–2021), where her thesis focused on developing a light-curable, self-stratifying coating based on gelatin with controlled water vapor permeability. Her MSc (2014–2016) research investigated acoustic insulation polyurethane foams, specifically the effects of polyester polyol chemical structures. During her BSc in Polymer Engineering – Color Science and Technology (2010–2014), she studied the influence of water-based acrylic resin on the mechanical and physical properties of polymer concrete. Dr. Baghban’s education reflects a consistent focus on environmentally friendly coating systems, acoustic materials, and advanced polymer formulations. She excelled throughout, achieving high GPAs and contributing significantly to lab-based research projects that laid the groundwork for her future innovations in polymer and coating technologies.
Professional Experience
Dr. Baghban brings a balanced blend of academic instruction, research leadership, and industrial innovation. She currently serves as a faculty member at the Institute for Color Science and Technology (2024–present), focusing on environmental research. From 2018 to 2024, she led the R&D Department at Polyresin Co. as Vice President, spearheading the development of environmentally friendly powder resins and polyester-based solutions. As an instructor at Amirkabir University of Technology (2016–2023), she taught Industrial Resins and Surface Coatings, shaping future polymer engineers. She also served as a project researcher at Niroo Research Institute (2016–2018), focusing on superhydrophobic nanocoatings. Her industrial project work includes developing conductive binders, eliminating residual monomers, and optimizing can-coating polyester resins to reduce toxicity. These experiences have cemented her expertise in sustainable and performance-driven coatings.
Research Focus
Dr. Baghban’s research lies at the intersection of polymer chemistry, coatings, and environmental sustainability. Her work focuses on advanced resins for industrial coatings, particularly VOC-free, light-curable, and bio-renewable polymer systems. She has pioneered self-stratifying coatings using methacrylated gelatin and acrylated vegetable oils, targeting water vapor permeability control and wound dressing applications. Her research in polyurethane foams has contributed to acoustic damping materials, with studies on microphase separation and the role of chain extenders and polyol structures. She has also developed superhydrophobic nanocoatings for electrical insulators and photocatalytic composites for wastewater treatment using MOF/MXene Ti3C2 hybrids. Her work incorporates both experimental methods and computational modeling. Through numerous industrial collaborations, she has worked on reducing hazardous emissions and enhancing environmental friendliness in resin production. Her focus is both future-forward and practical, making significant strides toward green chemistry in coatings.
Publication Top Notes
- A highly efficient microwave-assisted synthesis of an LED-curable methacrylated gelatin for bio applications
- Authors: S. Abdollahi Baghban, M. Ebrahimi, S. Bagheri-Khoulenjani, M. Khorasani
- Journal: RSC Advances, Vol. 11(25), 14996–15009 (2021)
- Citations: 50
- Summary: Demonstrates a rapid and energy-efficient method to synthesize methacrylated gelatin suitable for bio-coating applications. The LED-curable formulation allows for fine-tuning of mechanical and surface properties.
- Acoustic damping flexible polyurethane foams: Effect of isocyanate index and water content on the soundproofing
- Journal: Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 136(15), 47363 (2019)
- Citations: 39
- Summary: Investigates how formulation parameters influence acoustic absorption in flexible polyurethane foams. The study guides foam design for sound insulation.
- Soundproofing flexible polyurethane foams: The impact of polyester chemical structure on the microphase separation and acoustic damping
- Journal: Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 135(46), 46744 (2018)
- Citations: 30
- Summary: Highlights how the polyester polyol structure influences phase behavior and enhances acoustic performance.
- Self-stratifying behavior of a novel light-curable coating with gradient hydrophobic properties
- Journal: Progress in Organic Coatings, Vol. 159, 106435 (2021)
- Citations: 16
- Summary: Examines computational and experimental design of coatings that self-stratify during curing, allowing customized wettability profiles.
- Design of different self-stratifying patterns in a VOC-free light-curable coating containing bio-renewable materials
- Journal: Progress in Organic Coatings, Vol. 161, 106519 (2021)
- Citations: 11
- Summary: Focuses on controlling layer formation and surface patterns using bio-based materials in eco-friendly coatings.
Conclusion
With her robust academic foundation, innovative industrial projects, and significant scholarly contributions, Dr. Baghban exemplifies the qualities of a top-tier researcher, making her highly deserving of the Best Researcher Award.