Alireza Fath, Ph.D.

Lecturer, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

University of Vermont

Alireza Fath has been a Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Vermont since 2025. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from UVM and subsequently completed postdoctoral research in the department, where he integrated robotics, augmented reality, computer vision, and machine learning into cyber–physical systems for structural health monitoring. His work spans swarm robotics, human–robot collaboration, and advanced sensing for structural assessment, with applications in home and structural maintenance. He is committed to training students to advance engineering technologies that deliver practical solutions to real‑world challenges.

Learn More Get in Touch
Dr. Alireza Fath

About

Education

Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering — University of Vermont

Areas of expertise

Cyber‑physical systems, structural health monitoring, swarm robotics, augmented reality, dynamics, solid mechanics, and control.

Awards & achievements

  • Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award — University of Vermont
    The Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award recognizes exceptional work on behalf of a doctoral student, as demonstrated by their dissertation, including significant contributions to their field of study.
  • Mechanical Engineer Graduate Research Award — UVM College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences For excellence in performance and greatest promise of success.
  • 2025 NSF Cyber‑Physical Systems (CPS) Rising Star

Research Interests

My research encompasses cyber-physical systems for structural health monitoring that requires understanding of swarm robotics, augmented reality, dynamics, solids mechanics and control.

Robotics & Augmented Reality

Development of swarm microrobots and sensor nodes in overlayed augmented reality wireless networks, with specific focus on structural health monitoring. Interdisciplinary collaboration with three universities on a $4 million NSF project.

Morphing Antennas & Space Systems

Designing and dynamic modeling of novel morphing antennas for space deployments in NASA projects. Focus on innovative solutions for unfolding mechanisms.

Wind Turbine Vibration & Control

Designing and evaluating semi-active control systems for vibration suppression of semi-submersible offshore wind turbines with tuned liquid multi-column dampers.

Teaching

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is student-centered and fosters critical thinking and hands-on learning in engineering education. I believe in connecting theoretical concepts to real-world applications, particularly in dynamics, solid mechanics, numerical simulation, and structural monitoring. I engage students through interactive problem-solving sessions, laboratory experiments, real-world application presentations, and project-based learning that mirrors current research and industry challenges. My goal is to inspire students to become innovative engineers who can tackle complex problems with both analytical rigor and creative thinking.

Courses

ME 6120 - Advanced Dynamics

ME 5520 - Computational Solid Mechanics

ME 3990 - Computational Solids Engr

ME 2111 - Materials and Mechanics Lab

ME 1140 - Mechanics of Solids

Advising & Mentoring

I am committed to mentoring the next generation of engineers and researchers. My mentoring approach emphasizes collaborative learning, where students are encouraged to develop independent research skills while working on cutting-edge projects in robotics, developing microrobots, designing novel mechanisms, and structural health monitoring. I provide guidance in research methodology, technical writing, and prototype development to prepare students for successful careers in academia and industry.

Graduate research

2 MS students mentored (morphing antenna design and sensor integration)

Undergraduate research

7 undergraduate researchers mentored (robotics, SHM, and sensor integration)

Publications

Below is a selection of my recent publications with summaries and related materials.

For a complete list, please visit my Google Scholar profile.

Journal Publications

2025

HeSARIC: A Heterogeneous Cyber–Physical Robotic Swarm Framework for Structural Health Monitoring with Augmented Reality Representation

A. Fath, C. Sauter, Y. Liu, B. Gamble, D. Burns, E. Trombley, S.K.R. Sathi, T. Xia, D. Huston

Micromachines (MDPI), 16(4):460

Summary: We propose a cyber–physical framework that integrates heterogeneous mobile robots, microrobots, and distributed sensors with augmented reality human–robot interfaces for structural health monitoring. The system leverages edge computing and machine learning for crack segmentation and deformation measurements, enabling collaborative inspection in confined spaces with AR/PC visualization.

Article DOI
2025

GPR Sensing and Visual Mapping Through 4G-LTE, 5G, Wi-Fi HaLow, and Wi-Fi Hotspots with Edge Computing and AR Representation

S. Tanch, A. Fath, N. Hanna, T. Xia, D. Huston

Applied Sciences (MDPI)

Summary: Integrates GPR sensing with RealSense camera and augmented reality interfaces to support subsurface defect detection and operator guidance during infrastructure assessment. The workflow combines edge processing with human–robot teamwork for near real‑time inspection.

Article
2024

Indoor Infrastructure Maintenance Framework Using Networked Sensors, Robots, and Augmented Reality Human Interface

A. Fath, N. Hanna, Y. Liu, S. Tanch, T. Xia, D. Huston

Future Internet (MDPI), 16(5):170

Summary: Describes a Home Maintenance 4.0 framework combining networked sensors, QR codes, microrobots, and edge ML with AR/PC interfaces for collaborative indoor maintenance. Demonstrations include LiDAR mapping, confined space inspection, acoustic pump monitoring, and leak detection.

Article DOI
2024

MARSBot: A Bristle‑Bot Microrobot with Augmented Reality Steering Control for Wireless Structural Health Monitoring

A. Fath, Y. Liu, T. Xia, D. Huston

Micromachines (MDPI), 15(2):202

Summary: Presents a bristle‑bot microrobot with a centrifugal yaw‑steering control scheme operating within an AR‑enabled network. Dynamics are modeled across multiple cases, and prototypes demonstrate remote inspection with real‑time AR visualization.

Article DOI
2023

Structural Health Monitoring with Robot and Augmented Reality Teams

A. Fath, Y. Liu, S. Tanch, N. Hanna, T. Xia, D. Huston

Structural Health Monitoring 2023

Summary: Presents a structural health monitoring workflow that coordinates mobile robots and distributed sensors with augmented reality human–robot interfaces. Demonstrations include crack segmentation with edge ML, LiDAR mapping in confined spaces, and collaborative AR visualization to support inspection and decision‑making.

DOI
2022

Recent Advances in the Application of Piezoelectric Materials in Microrobotic Systems

A. Fath, T. Xia, W. Li

Micromachines, 13(9), 1422

Summary: Reviews piezoelectric actuation and sensing in microrobots, highlighting materials, mechanisms, and application trends.

DOI
2020

Semi-active vibration control of a semi-submersible offshore wind turbine using a tuned liquid multi-column damper

A. Fath, E.A. Yazdi, M. Eghtesad

Ocean Engineering and Marine Energy, 6(3), 243–262

Summary: Proposes and evaluates a TLCD-based semi-active control strategy to mitigate vibrations in semi-submersible offshore wind turbines.

DOI
2017

Surface effect on the biaxial buckling and free vibration of FGM nanoplate embedded in visco‑Pasternak standard linear solid‑type of foundation

M. Hosseini, A. Jamalpoor, A. Fath

Meccanica (Springer)

Summary: Employs nonlocal elasticity with Gurtin–Murdoch surface elasticity to analyze biaxial buckling and free vibration of functionally graded nanoplates on a visco‑Pasternak foundation.

Article

Conference Publications

2025

Automated Robot Teams and UAVs for Bridge and Culvert Assessment

A. Fath, E. Trombley, B. Gamble, T. Xia, D. Huston

ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) Conference 2025

2025

Home Maintenance Aided by IoT and Robotic Sensing with Augmented Reality and AI‑Based Human Interfaces

A. Fath, P. O’Connor, S. Tanch, Y. Liu, T. Xia, D. Huston

ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) Conference 2025

2024

Human Interface for Indoor Infrastructure Maintenance using Networked Sensors, Robots, and Augmented Reality

A. Fath, N. Hanna, Y. Liu, S. Tanch, T. Xia, D. Huston

EMI/PMC 2024: Engineering Mechanics Institute & Probabilistic Mechanics Conference — May 30, 2024, p. 74

2023

Monitoring Infrastructure using Augmented Reality in a Network of Microrobots with Visual Data Analysis

A. Fath, N.H.Y. Liu, S. Tanch, T. Xia, D. Huston

ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) Conference 2023, Atlanta, GA, pp. 6–9

2019

Control of a Semi‑submersible Offshore Wind Turbine with a Tuned Liquid Column Damper

A. Fath, M. Eghtesad, E.A. Yazdi

The 6th Annual Clean Energy Conference (ACEC 2019)

View All Publications

Reviewer of the following journals:

  • Nature Communications, Nature Portfolio
  • Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, Elsevier
  • Measurement, Elsevier
  • Industrial Robot, Emerald Group Publishing
  • Ocean Engineering, Elsevier
  • Sensors, MDPI
  • Applied Sciences, MDPI

Projects

Advanced Wireless Network

2022 - Present | NSF Grant $4 Million

Development of mobile robots and sensor nodes in an overlayed augmented reality wireless network, with a specific focus on structural health monitoring. This collaborative project involves three universities working together to create innovative solutions for structural assessment.

Robotics Augmented Reality Structural Health Monitoring

Morphing Antennas for Space Deployments

2023 - Present | NASA Project

Designing and dynamic modeling of morphing antennas using novel mechanisms for space deployments. This NASA project focuses on developing innovative mechanism for releasing antennas.

Releasing Mechanisms Morphing Antennas Dynamic Modeling

Mobility and Rehabilitation Robot for Paraplegic Patients

2018 - 2021 |

Problem-solving efforts to improve mobility and rehabilitation robots to meet the unique needs of paraplegic patients. Collaborated closely to prototype a new model that can support customers with any level of paralysis.

Medical Robotics Rehabilitation Accessibility

Certificates

Professional certifications that demonstrate continuous learning and expertise.

Professional Certifications

Contact Information

Email

alireza.fath@uvm.edu

Office

33 Colchester Ave
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405