Dr. Matthew Smith

Associate Professor of Engineering
616.395.7309msmith@hope.edu
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Matt Smith joined the Hope College faculty in 2012. He primarily teaches engineering mechanics and materials courses, including Introduction to Engineering Materials, Statics, Dynamics, and Mechanical Vibrations. He works closely with Hope’s Boerigter Center for Calling and Career to prepare students to obtain internships and full time employment.

Areas of interest

Matt specializes in the development and modeling of responsive materials. Recently, he has been working with his research students to synthesize liquid crystal polymer materials that experience large shape changes when exposed to certain wavelengths of light or variations in temperature. He also works with mathematical models and computational software to predict how these materials will perform.

Education

  • Ph.D., theoretical and applied mechanics, Cornell University, 2009
  • B.S., mechanical engineering, Cedarville University, 2003
  • B.A., mathematics, Cedarville University, 2003

Selected Publications

Outside of Hope

Matt and his wife, Heidi, have six children. They enjoy playing sports, reading books out loud, trying to cook new foods and spending time at church.

Profile photo of Dr. Matthew Smith
Dr. Matthew Smith

Phone Number616.395.7309

VanderWerf-Room 2223I 27 Graves Place Holland, MI 49423-3617
A map showing the location for Dr. Matthew Smith VanderWerf-Room 2223I 27 Graves Place Holland MI 49423-3617