Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University (2017)
M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University (2015)
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Miami University (2012)
B.S. in Statistics, Miami University (2012)
Research Interests
Computational materials design
Molecular simulation
Multiscale modeling
Biomechanics and bioinspired design strategies
Moisture-responsive materials for energy storage and harvesting
Cellulose-based nanocomposites
Honors and Awards
National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship (2013-2016)
Northwestern Mechanical Engineering Department Graduate Leadership and Service Award (2014)
Northwestern University Walter P. Murphy Fellowship (2012-2013)
Tau Beta Pi Fellowship (2012-2013)
Selected Publications
Sinko, R., Bažant, Z. P. , & Keten, S. “ A nanoscale perspective on the effects of transverse microprestress on drying creep of nanoporous solids ” (In submission).
Sinko, R. & Keten, S. “Effects of water at CNC-epoxy interfaces.” (In preparation).
Wei, Z.*, Sinko, R.*, Keten, S., Luijten, E. “Effect of surface modification on the water adsorption and interfacial mechanics of cellulose nanocrystals” (*Indicates co-first authorship) (In preparation)
Sinko, R., Xia, W., Keten, S. “Local polymer dynamics of poly(methyl methacrylate) in cellulose nanocrystal-polymer nanocomposites” (In preparation)
Fox, D., Rodriguez, R., Devilbiss, M., Davis, C., Woodcock, J., Sinko, R., Keten, S., Gilman, J. “Simultaneously Tailoring Surface Energies and Thermal Stabilities of Cellulose Nanocrystals Using Ion Exchange: Effects on Polymer Composite Properties for Transportation, Infrastructure, and Renewable Energy Applications”ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 8, 27270-27281, doi:10.1021/acsami.6b06083 (2016).
Sinko, R., Vandamme, M., Bažant, Z. P. & Keten, S. Transient effects of drying creep in nanoporous solids: understanding the effects of nanoscale energy barriers.Proceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Science 472, doi:10.1098/rspa.2016.0490 (2016).
Qin, X., Xia, W., Sinko, R. & Keten, S. Tuning Glass Transition in Polymer Nanocomposites with Functionalized Cellulose Nanocrystals through Nanoconfinement.Nano Letters 15, 6738-6744, doi:10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b02588 (2015).
Sinko, R. & Keten, S. Understanding emergent functions in self-assembled fibrous networks.Nanotechnology 26, 352501 (2015).
Egan, P., Sinko, R., LeDuc, P. R. & Keten, S. The role of mechanics in biological and bio-inspired systems.Nat Commun 6, doi:10.1038/ncomms8418 (2015).
Sinko, R., Qin, X. & Keten, S. Interfacial mechanics of cellulose nanocrystals.MRS Bulletin 40, 340-348 (2015).
Sinko, R. & Keten, S. Traction–separation laws and stick–slip shear phenomenon of interfaces between cellulose nanocrystals.Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 78, 526-539, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2015.02.012 (2015).
Sinko, R. & Keten, S. Effect of moisture on the traction-separation behavior of cellulose nanocrystal interfaces.Applied Physics Letters 105, 243702, doi:doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4904708 (2014).
Sinko, R., Mishra, S., Ruiz, L., Brandis, N. & Keten, S. Dimensions of Biological Cellulose Nanocrystals Maximize Fracture Strength.ACS Macro Letters 3, 64-69, doi:10.1021/mz400471y (2014).
Sinko, R., Karnes, M., Koo, J.-H., Kim, Y.-K. & Kim, K.-S. Design and test of an adaptive vibration absorber based on magnetorheological elastomers and a hybrid electromagnet.Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures 24, 803-812, doi:10.1177/1045389x12463461 (2013).
Selected Presentations
Presentations
Sinko, R. Improving Dispersion in Cellulose Nanocrystal-Polymer Composites through Ion-Exchange Surface Modifications . 2nd Midwest Workshop on Mechanics of Materials and Structures August 15, 2016, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA (poster presentation)
Keten, S.; Designing Better Structural Materials by Understanding Nanoconfinement and Nanoscale Interfaces. 2016 Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) Conference May 22-25, 2016, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA (Presented by Sinko, R.)
Sinko, R.; Vandamme, M.; Bažant, Z.; Keten, S.; Transient Effects of Drying Creep in Nanoporous Solids: Understanding the Effects of Nanoscale Energy Barriers. 2016 Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) Conference May 22-25, 2016, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
Sinko, R; Keten, S.; Atomistic simulation and modeling of the interface between cellulose nanocrystal elementary fibrils. Society of Engineering Science 51st Annual Technical Meeting October 1-3, 2014, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
Sinko, R.; Keten, S.; Atomistic Simulations on the Fracture Strength of Cellulose Nanocrystals (CNCs) and CNC-CNC Interfaces. 17th U.S. National Congress on Theoretical & Applied Mechanics (USNCTAM) June 15-20, 2014, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
Sinko, R.; Keten, S.; Development of a computational model to study nanoscale interactions in new generations of nanocomposites. 2013 Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) Conference August 4-7, 2013, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA (poster presentation)
Sinko, R.; Koo, J.-H.; Kim, Y.-K.; Kim, K.-S.; Characterization and Modeling of Bending Behavior of a New Generation of Magnetorheological Elastomers. 12th Joint Intermag/MMM Conference, January 20-24, 2013, Chicago, IL, USA
Sinko, R.; Karnes, M.; Koo, J.-H.; Kim, Y.-K.; Kim, K.-S.; ASME, Design and Test of an Adaptive Tuned Vibration Absorber for Reducing Cryogenic Cooler Vibrations. 2012; p 325-331. (Technical Paper and Presentation at 2011 ASME Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems (SMASIS) Conference – Phoenix, AZ)
Invited Talks
Sinko, R. (January 2014) “ME 512 Quick Tech Talk: Atomistic simulations of the fracture strength of cellulose nanocrystals” Mechanical Engineering Departmental Seminar, Northwestern University.
Sinko, R. (February 2017) “Transient effects of drying creep in nanoporous solids: understanding the effect of nanoscale energy barriers” United States Association of Computational Mechanics Student Seminar Series, Northwestern University.
Sinko, R. (March 2017) “A Computational Materials-by-Design Approach for Cellulose-Based Nanocomposites” MAE Colloquium, Cornell University
Work Experience
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Northern Illinois University (current)
Guest lecturer, Northwestern University (2014-2017)
Graduate research mentor, Northwestern University (2015-2016)
Teaching assistant, Northwestern University (2013)