Engineering Faculty Member Earns PhD from the University of Ottawa, Canada

Lecturer Osama Ibrahim Mahmoud, a faculty member at the College of Engineering, University of Samarra, has been awarded a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Ottawa, Canada, for his dissertation titled “Towards Sustainable Construction: Innovations in Hemp-Lime Composites for Carbon-Negative Building Materials.”
This dissertation represents a research leap in the field of structural sustainability by developing bio-based, sustainable building materials derived from an industrial hemp and lime mixture, serving as an advanced, eco-friendly alternative to traditional insulation materials.
The study successfully addressed the variability in the properties of these materials by innovating pioneering manufacturing methods that ensure consistent and industrially applicable production. It also provided a precise analysis of the impact of hemp particle size and compaction methods on the thermal, hygrothermal, and mechanical properties of the composite.
Furthermore, the research achieved a scientific breakthrough by developing a low-carbon hydrated lime using electrochemical decarbonization technology. This paves the way for producing carbon-negative building materials that effectively contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating climate change, and improving energy efficiency in buildings.
In this regard, the Deanship of the College of Engineering, represented by the Dean, Assistant Professor Dr. Amjed Saleh Mahmood, congratulates Mr. Osama Ibrahim on this distinguished scientific achievement, praising his rigorous research efforts that elevate the university’s name in international forums, and wishing him continued success and dedication in his academic career to serve our beloved country.