Rhoda Afriyie Mensah

About me

I am a dedicated researcher in Fire Protection Engineering, having commenced my postdoctoral fellowship at Luleå University of Technology in October 2021. Prior to this, I completed my PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 2020 at Nanjing University of Science and Technology, focusing on thermal analysis and flammability of structural materials, that laid the groundwork for my current interests. My academic journey also includes an MSc in Automotive Engineering obtained in 2016 from Wuhan University of Science and Technology and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in 2012. My expertise covers the fire safety of a range of materials, including wood, concrete, and plastics. I have published several papers in high-ranking peer-reviewed journals, demonstrating my active contribution to the field. In addition to managing the fire protection engineering laboratory, I am involved in education, imparting knowledge of fire engineering calculations to second-year fire engineering students and significantly contributing to their development in the field.

Research interests

Fire safety has become increasingly critical in contemporary times, particularly with the rise of lightweight structures that are susceptible to fire risks. The escalation in fire incidents not only leads to significant economic damages but also results in the tragic loss of lives. My objective is to pioneer the development of inherently fire-safe materials. This involves conducting comprehensive tests on the fire properties of current materials, evaluating and improving their resistance to flammability, and innovating new materials designed to be fire-safe. My commitment is to advance fire safety technology, aiming to mitigate fire hazards and enhance protection against fires in various applications.

My objectives are to

• Assess the flammability of existing materials.
• Provide solutions to improve fire safety.
• Develop novel materials that are fire-safe and mechanically strong.

Professional expertise

• Biochar/bio-graphene research and applications.
• Fire testing and material flammability assessments.
• Teaching and mentoring students.
• Enhancing material fire resistance properties.