Faculty Directory
Lucia Stein-Montalvo

Assistant Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering (beginning on January 1, 2025)

Contact

2145 Sheridan Road
Tech
Evanston, IL 60208-3109

Departments

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Education

Presidential Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Princeton University

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Boston University

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, Boston University

B.S. in Mathematics, Davidson College

Research Interests

RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Dr. Stein-Montalvo’s research focuses on the mechanics of shape-shifting—i.e. compelling structures to change configuration on demand, or in response to environmental stimuli. Her work bridges fundamental investigations of nonlinear deformations and instabilities of structures with applied outcomes, exploring how these mechanics can inform the design of adaptive architectural solutions that can regulate e.g. airflow, light, and temperature in interior and exterior urban spaces. Her research is driven by experiments and supported by simulations and mathematical modeling. The overarching goal of Dr. Stein-Montalvo’s research group is to enable a more self-regulating, sustainable, and life-like built environment that can better adapt to the effects of climate change and urbanization.

Selected Publications

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

L. Stein-Montalvo, L. Ding, M. Hultmark, S. Adriaenssens, and E. Bou-Zeid (2024). Kirigami-inspired wind-steering for natural ventilation. Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics 246, 105667.

L. Stein-Montalvo, A. Guerra, K. Almedia, O. Kodio, and D.P. Holmes (2023). Wrinkling and developable cones in centrally confined sheets. Physical Review E 108, 035002.