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Elham Fini

Elham Fini

Associate Professor, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

efini@asu.edu

School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment
Arizona State University
PO Box 873005
Tempe, AZ 85287-3005

Titles

  • Senior Global Futures Scientist, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory
  • Associate Professor, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
  • Director, Innovation Network for Materials, Methods and Management

Biography

Dr. Ellie Fini is an Associate Professor at Arizona State University, an Invention Ambassador at the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a Fulbright Scholar of Aalborg University of Denmark, a Senior Sustainability Scientist at the Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation and the Director of the Innovation Network for Materials, Methods and Management. Her research focuses on the production, characterization and atomistic modelling of sustainable novel materials for use in construction. 

In addition to more than 200 scholarly publications and numerous invited talks, her research has been featured by BBC Women in STEM, Science Nation, Wired Magazine, and CNBC. She is editor of the ASCE Journal of Materials and Journal of Resources, Conservation & Recycling. She has served as the president of ASCE’s North Carolina Northern Branch and a program director of the National Science Foundation. Her achievements have been recognized via multiple awards including an NSF CAREER award, ASEE Gerald Seeley award, BEYA Emerald STEM Innovation award, NC BioTech Research Excellence award and WTS Innovative Transportation Solution award to name a few. 

Education

  • PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 2008
  • MS, Civil Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 2003
  • BSCE, Civil Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, 2000

Expertise

Journal Articles

In Press

Fini, E. H., S. Hosseinnezhad, D. Oldham, Z. Mclaughlin, Z. Alavi and J. Harvey. Bio-modification of rubberised asphalt binder to enhance its performance. International Journal of Pavement Engineering DOI: 10.1080/10298436.2017.1398548. (link )

2019

Samieadel, A., B. Høgsaa and E. H. Fini. 2019. Examining the implications of wax-based additives on the sustainability of construction practices: Multiscale characterization of wax-doped aged asphalt binder. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 7(3):2943-2954. DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b03842. (link )

2018

Fini, E. H., F. Awadallah, M. M. Parast and T. Abu-Lebdeh. 2018. The impact of project-based learning on improving student learning outcomes of sustainability concepts in transportation engineering courses. European Journal of Engineering Education 43(3):473-488. DOI: 10.1080/03043797.2017.1393045. (link )

Hill, B., D. Oldham, B. Behnia, E. H. Fini, W. G. Buttlar and H. Reis. 2018. Evaluation of low temperature viscoelastic properties and fracture behavior of bio-asphalt mixtures. International Journal of Pavement Engineering 19(4):362-369. DOI: 10.1080/10298436.2016.1175563. (link )

Høgsaa, B., E. H. Fini, J. de Claville Christiansen, A. M. Hung, M. Mousavi, E. Appel Jensen, F. Pahlavan, T. H. Pedersen and C. Samprean. 2018. A novel bioresidue to compatibilize sodium montmorillonite with linear low density polyethylene. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 57(4):1213-1224. DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.7b04178. (link )

Ofori-Boardu, A. N., R. Y. Abrokwah, S. Gbewonyo and E. Fini. 2018. Effect of swine-waste bio-char on the water absorption characteristics of cement pastes. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation 56(3):283-299. DOI: 10.1108/IJBPA-11-2017-0055. (link )

Oldham, D., A. Hung, M. M. Parast and E. H. Fini. 2018. Investigating bitumen rejuvenation mechanisms using a coupled rheometry-morphology characterization approach. Construction and Building Materials 159(Jan):37-45. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.10.113. (link )

Pahlavan, F., A. M. Hung and E. H. Fini. 2018. Evolution of molecular packing and rheology in asphalt binder during rejuvenation. Fuel 222(Jun):457-464. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2018.02.184. (link )

Pahlavan, F., A. M. Hung, M. Zadshir, S. Hosseinnezhad and E. H. Fini. 2018. Alteration of π-electron distribution to induce deagglomeration in oxidized polar aromatics and asphaltenes in an aged asphalt binder. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 6(5):6554-6569. DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.8b00364. (link )

Pahlavan, F., M. Mousavi, A. M. Hung and E. H. Fini. 2018. Characterization of oxidized asphaltenes and the restorative effect of a bio-modifier. Fuel 212(Jan):593-604. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2017.10.090. (link )

Samieadel, A., D. Oldham and E. H. Fini. 2018. Investigating molecular conformation and packing of oxidized asphaltene molecules in presence of paraffin wax. Fuel 220(May):503-512. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2018.02.031.

Samieadel, A., K. Schimmel and E. H. Fini. 2018. Comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of bio-modified binder and conventional asphalt binder. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy 20(1):191-200. DOI: 10.1007/s10098-017-1467-1. (link )

Zadshir, M., S. Hosseinnezhad, R. Ortega, F. Chen, D. Hochstein, J. Xie, H. Yin, M. M. Parast and E. H. Fini. 2018. Application of a biomodifier as fog sealants to delay ultraviolet aging of bituminous materials. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 30(12): 04018310-1-04018310-12. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002483. (link )

2017

Fini, E. H., S. Hosseinnezhad, D. Oldham, E. Chailleux and V. Gaudefroy. 2017. Source dependency of rheological and surface characteristics of bio-modified asphalts. Road Materials and Pavement Design 18(2):408-424. DOI: 10.1080/14680629.2016.1163281. (link )

Fini, E. H., B. Høgsaa, J. de Claville Christiansen, C. Samprean, E. Appel Jensen, M. Mousavi and F. Pahlavan. 2017. Multiscale investigation of a bioresidue as a novel intercalant for sodium montmorillonite. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 121(3):17940-1802. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b11966. (link )

Hung, A. M., A. Goodwin and E. H. Fini. 2017. Effects of water exposure on bitumen surface microstructure. Construction and Building Materials 135(Mar):682-688. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.01.002. (link )

Hung, A. M., M. Mousavi, F. Pahlavan and E. H. Fini. 2017. Intermountain interactions of isolated bio-oil compounds and their effects on bitumen interfaces. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering 5(9):7920-7931. DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.7b01462. (link )

Magonov, S., J. Alexander, M. Surtchev, A. M. Hung and E. H. Fini. 2017. Compositional mapping of bitumen using local electrostatic force interactions in atomic force microscopy. Journal of Microscopy 265(2):196-206. DOI: 10.1111/jmi.12475. (link )

Samieadel, A., D. Oldham and E. H. Fini. 2017. Multi-scale characterization of the effect of wax on intermolecular interactions in asphalt binder. Construction and Building Materials 157(Dec):1163-1172. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2017.09.188. (link )

Wallace, R., S. Suresh, E. H. Fini and T. J. Bandosz. 2017. Efficient air desulfurization catalysts derived from pig manure liquefaction char. C: Journal of Carbon Research 3(4):Art. 37. DOI: 10.3390/c3040037. (link )

2016

Fini, E. H., P. Hajikarimi, M. Rahi and F. M. Nejad. 2016. Physiochemical, rheological, and oxidative aging characteristics of asphalt binder in the presence of mesoporous silica nanoparticles. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 28(2):04015133-1- 04015133-9. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001423. (link )

Fini, E. H., S. Hosseinnezhad, D. Oldham and B. K. Sharma. 2016. Investigating the effectiveness of liquid rubber as a modifier for asphalt binder. Road Materials and Pavement Design 17(4):825-840. DOI: 10.1080/14680629.2015.1124800. (link )

Fini, E. H., A. Khodali and P. Hajikarimi. 2016. Fractional viscoelastic study of low-temperature characteristics of biomodified asphalt binders. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 28(3):04016078-1-04016078-7. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001525. (link )

Fini, E. H., F. Smith Baubeng, T. Abu-Lebdeh and F. Awadallah. 2016. Effect of introduction of furfural on asphalt binder ageing characteristics. Road Materials and Pavement Design 17(3):638-657. DOI: 10.1080/14680629.2015.1108219. (link )

Kuli, I., T. Abu-Lebdeh, E. H. Fini and S. A. Hamoush. 2016. The use of nano silica for improving mechanical properties of hardened cement paste. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 9(1):146-154. DOI: 10.3844/ajeassp.2016.146.154. (link )

Lamarre, A., E. H. Fini and T. Abu-Lebdeh. 2016. Investigating effects of water conditioning on the adhesion properties of crack sealant. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 9(1):178-186. DOI: 10.3844/ajeassp.2016.178.186. (link )

Mogawer, W. S., E. H. Fini, A. J. Austerman, A. Booshehrian and B. Zada. 2016. Performance characteristics of high reclaimed asphalt pavement containing bio-modifier. Road Materials and Pavement Design 17(3):753-767. DOI: 10.1080/14680629.2015.1096820. (link )

Mousavi, M., T. Abdollahi, F. Pahlavan and E. H. Fini. 2016. The influence of asphaltene-resin molecular interactions on the colloidal stability of crude oil. Fuel 183(Nov):262-271. DOI: 10.1016/j.fuel.2016.06.100. (link )

Mousavi, M., F. Pahlavan, D. Oldham, T. Abdollahi and E. H. Fini. 2016. Alteration of intermolecular interactions between units of asphaltene dimers exposed to an amide-enriched modifier. RCS Advances 6:53477-53492. DOI: 10.1039/C6RA07506A. (link )

Mousavi, M., F. Pahlavan, D. Oldham, S. Hosseinnezhad and E. H. Fini. 2016. Multiscale investigation of oxidative aging in biomediated asphalt binder. The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 120(31):17224-17233. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b05004. (link )

Pahlavan, F., M. Mousavi, A. Hung and E. H. Fini. 2016. Investigating molecular interactions and surface morphology of wax-doped asphaltenes. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics 18:8840-8854. DOI: 10.1039/C5CP07180A. (link )

2015

Abutalib, N., E. H. Fini, S. Aflaki and T. M. Abu-Lebdeh. 2015. Investigating effects of application of silica fume to reduce asphalt oexidative ageing. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 8(1):176-184. DOI: 10.3844/ajeassp.2015.176.184. (link )

Hosseinnezhad, S., A. Bocoum, F. J. Martin-Martinez and E. H. Fini. 2015. Biomodification of rubberized asphalt and its high temperature properties. Transportation Research Record: The JOurnal of the Transportation Research Board 2506(1):81=89. DOI: 10.3141/2506-09. (link )

Hosseinnezhad, S., E. H. Fini, B. K. Sharma, M. Basti and B. Kunwar. 2015. Physiochemical characterization of synthetic bio-oils produced from bio-mass: a sustainable source for construction bio-adhesives. RSC Advances 5:75519-75527. DOI: 10.1039/C5RA10267G. (link )

Hung, A. M. and E. H. Fini. 2015. AFM study of asphalt binder “bee” structures: origin, mechanical fracture, topological evolution, and experimental artifacts. RSC Advances 5:96972-96982. DOI: 10.1039/C5RA13982A. (link )

Martin-Martinez, F. J., E. H. Fini and M. J. Buehler. 2015. Molecular asphaltene models based on Clar sextet theory. RSC Advances 5:753-759. DOI: 10.1039/C4RA05694A. (link )

Oldham, D. J., E. H. Fini and E. Chailleux. 2015. Application of a bio-binder as a rejuvenator for wet processed asphalt shingles in pavement construction. Construction and Building Materials 86(Jul):75-84. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2015.03.085. (link )

Rahi, M., E. H. Fini, P. Hajikarimi and F. M. Nejad. 2015. Rutting characteristics of styrene-ethylene/propylene-styrene polymer modified asphalt. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 27(4):04014154. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0001102. (link )

Walters, R., S. A. Begum, E. H. Fini and T. Abu-Lebdeh. 2015. Investigating bio-char as flow modifier and water treatment agent for sustainable pavement design. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 8(1):138-146. DOI: 10.3844/ajeassp.2015.138.146. (link )

2014

Aflaki, S., P. Hajikarimi, E. H. Fini and B. Zada. 2014. Comparing effects of biobinder with other asphalt modifiers on low-temperature characteristics of asphalt. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 26(3):. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000835. (link )

Fadiel, A., F. Al Rifaie, T. Abu-Lebdeh and E. H. Fini. 2014. Use of crumb rubber to improve thermal efficiency of cement-based materials. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 7(1):1-11. DOI: 10.3844/ajeassp.2014.1.11. (link )

Mills-Beale, J., Z. You, E. H. Fini, B. Zada, C. H. Lee and Y. K. Yap. 2014. Aging influence on rheology properties of petroleum-based asphalt modified with biobinder. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 26(2):358-366. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000712. (link )

Price, A., R. Yeargin, E. H. Fini and T. Abu-Lebdeh. 2014. Investigating effects of introduction of corncob ash into Portland Cements concrete: Mechanical and thermal properties. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 7(1):137-148. DOI: 10.3844/ajeassp.2014.137.148. (link )

Sedhay, G., E. H. Fini and T. Abu-Lebdeh. 2014. Investigating effects of amine based modifier on recycled asphalt shingles blending. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 7(1):105-114. DOI: 10.3844/ajeassp.2014.105.114. (link )

Walters, R., E. H. Fini and T. Abu-Lebdeh. 2014. Enhancing asphalt rheological behavior and aging susceptibility using bio-char and nano-clay. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 7(1):66-76. DOI: 10.3844/ajeassp.2014.66.76. (link )

2013

Fini, E. H., D. Oldham and T. Abu-Lebdeh. 2013. Synthesis and characterization of biomodified rubber asphalt: Sustainable waste management solution for scrap tire and swine manure. Journal of Environmental Engineering 139(12):1454-1461. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)EE.1943-7870.0000765. (link )

Hill, B., D. Oldham, B. Behnia, E. H. Fini, W. G. Buttlar and H. Reis. 2013. Low-temperature performance characterization of biomodified asphalt mixtures that contain reclaimed asphalt pavement. Transportation Research Record: The Journal of the Transportation Research Board 2371(1):49-57. DOI: 10.3141/2371-06. (link )

2012

Abu-Lebdeh, T., E. H. Fini and M. Lumpkin. 2012. Flexural and tensile characteristics of micro fiber-reinforced very high strength concrete thin panels. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 5(2):184-197. DOI: 10.3844/ajeassp.2012.184.197. (link )

Fini, E. H., I. L. Al-Qadi, Z. You, B. Zada and J. Mills-Beale. 2012. Partial replacement of asphalt binder with bio-binder: Characterisation and modification. International Journal of Pavement Engineering 13(6):515-522. DOI: 10.1080/10298436.2011.596937. (link )

Fini, E. H. and M. Mellat-Parast. 2012. Effect of pavement type on overlay roughness progression. Journal of Transportation Engineering 135(12):1558-1562 . DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)TE.1943-5436.0000459. (link )

Xie, S., H. K. Rojanala, A. Shahbazi, E. H. Fini and L. Wang. 2012. Pyrolysis and combustion characteristics of Bio-oil from swine manure. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry 107(2):823-829. (link )

2011

Al-Qadi, I. L. and E. H. Fini. 2011. Development of a crack sealant adhesion test (CSADT) specification for hot-poured bituminous sealants. Journal of Testing and Evaluations 39(2):184-190. DOI: 10.1520/JTE103108.

Dhungana, R. K., T. Abu-Lebdeh and E. H. Fini. 2011. Wind load effects on manufactured home foundations. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 4(4):548-555. DOI: 10.3844/ajeassp.2011.548.555. (link )

Fini, E. H. and T. Abu-Lebdeh. 2011. Bonding property of bituminous crack sealants in the presence of water. American Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences 4(1):124-129. DOI: 10.3844/ajeassp.2011.124.129. (link )

Fini, E. H. and I. L. Al-Qadi. 2011. Development of a pressurized blister test for interface characterization of aggregate highly polymerized bituminous materials. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 23(5):656-663. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000222. (link )

Fini, E. H., E. W. Kalberer, A. Shahbazi, M. Basti, H. Ozer and Q. Aurangzeb. 2011. Chemical characterization of biobinder from swine manure: Sustainable modifier for asphalt binder. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 23(11):1506-1513. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000237. (link )

Mellat-Parast, M. and E. H. Fini. 2011. Effect of disruption on service quality and market share: Evidence from the U.S. domestic airline industry. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board 2214(1):34-40. DOI: 10.3141/2214-05. (link )

You, Z., J. Mills-Beale, E. H. Fini, S. Goh and B. Colbert. 2011. Evaluation of low-temperature binder properties of warm-mix asphalt, extracted and recovered RAP and RAS, and bioasphalt. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering 23(11):1569-1574. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000295. (link )

2010

Mellat-Parast, M. and E. H. Fini. 2010. The effect of productivity and quality on profitability in US airline industry: An empirical investigation. Managing Service Quality: An International Journal 20(5):458-474. DOI: 10.1108/09604521011073740. (link )

2009

Al-Qadi, I. L., S. Yang, E. H. Fini, J. Masson and K. K. McGhee. 2009. Performance based specification guidelines for the selection of bituminous-based hot-poured crack sealants. Journal of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists 78:491-534.

2008

Al-Qadi, I. L., E. H. Fini, J. Masson and K. K. McGhee. 2008. Effect of bituminous material rheology on adhesion. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board 2044(1):96-104. DOI: 10.3141/2044-11. (link )

Fini, E. H., I. L. Al-Qadi, J. Masson and K. K. McGhee. 2008. Interfacial fracture energy: An indicator of bituminous material adhesion. Journlal of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists 77:827-850.

2007

Al-Qadi, I. L., E. H. Fini, M. A. Elseifi, J. Masson and K. K. McGhee. 2007. Development of a viscosity specification for hot-poured bituminous sealants. Journal of Testing and Evaluation 35(4):395-403. DOI: 10.1520/JTE100260.

Fini, E. H., I. L. Al-Qadi and J. Masson. 2007. A new blister test to measure bond strength of asphaltic materials. Journal of Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists 76:275-302.

2006

Al-Qadi, I. L., E. H. Fini, M. A. Elseifi, J. Masson and K. K. McGhee. 2006. Viscosity determination of hot-poured bitumnous sealants. Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board 1958:74-81. DOI: 10.1177/0361198106195800109. (link )

Books

2012

Fini, E. H. 2012. Bituminous Materials and Adhesion Mechanisms: Characterization and Modeling. LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing. ISBN: 13: 978-3-8484-9026-4.

Book Chapters

2014

Bocoum, A., S. Hosseinnezhad and E. H. Fini. 2014. Investigating effect of amine based additives on asphalt rubber rheological properties. Pp. 921-931 In: Kim, Y. R. ed., Asphalt Pavements. CRC Press. London. ISBN: 978-1-138-02693-3.

Oldham, D., E. H. Fini and A. Onochie. 2014. The low temperature characterization of bio-modified shingles. Pp. 297-307 In: Kim, Y. R. ed., Asphalt Pavements. CRC Press. London. ISBN: 978-1-138-02693-3.