Dr Rahatekar earned his PhD from the University of Cambridge and undertook postdoctoral research at the US federal research lab, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), specialising in advanced polymers and Composites.
Prior to joining 桃色视频, he served as MSc Programme Director in Advanced Composites at the University of Bristol and as Head of the Sustainable Polymers and Composites Research Group at Cranfield University, where he led impactful research at the intersection of materials innovation, sustainability, and industrial application.
Dr Sameer Rahatekar joined 桃色视频’s Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering in May 2026 as a Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Textiles. He is an internationally recognised expert in sustainable polymers and textiles manufacturing and materials, with over 15 years of research leadership spanning sustainable fashion and textiles, bio composites, and circular manufacturing.
Dr Rahatekar’s research focuses on sustainable manufacturing and materials, with particular emphasis on enabling circular manufacturing solutions across textiles, polymers, and composite materials. His work integrates fundamental materials science with industrial translation to deliver scalable, low-carbon technologies for sectors including fashion, automotive, aerospace, and energy.
He has extensive experience leading and coordinating international research programmes funded by UKRI (EPSRC, BBSRC), Innovate UK, the British Council, the Royal Academy of Engineering, and the Green Future Investment Fund, alongside significant industrial research funding, with a total portfolio exceeding £3 million.
Dr Rahatekar has established strong interdisciplinary collaborations with leading academic institutions, including the Universities of Manchester, Imperial College London, Exeter, York, and the Royal College of Art.
These partnerships have contributed to major flagship initiatives such as the UKRI Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre for Textiles (£4.1 million) and the High-Performance Cellulose Fibres programme (£2.1 million), both addressing critical challenges in sustainable materials and circular manufacturing. His research outputs include innovations in regenerated cellulose fibres, bio-based composites, recycling technologies, and energy-efficient manufacturing processes. He has a strong publication record in sustainable manufacturing and materials, with over 70 peer-reviewed journal articles (over 3,400 citations; H-index ~33) in leading journals including Advanced Materials, Carbon, Journal of Cleaner Production, Composites Science and Technology, and Green Chemistry, alongside more than 50 international conference presentations. Key research areas include: · Sustainable textiles and circular fashion systems · Bio-based and recycled composites · Regenerated cellulose fibres and biopolymers · Circular manufacturing and resource efficiency · Advanced composites for aerospace, automotive, and energy applications · Energy-efficient manufacturing technologies (e.g. graphene heating, solar thermal systems) Industrial Consultancy and Support for New Entrepreneurs In addition to his academic research, Dr Rahatekar has demonstrated strong leadership in industrial consultancy and entrepreneurial engagement, working across sectors including sustainable textiles (Sages London, Pangaia, DyeRecycle), automotive and motorsports (Jaguar Land Rover, Red Bull), aerospace and defence (Airbus, MBDA, Meggitt, Uplift360), and advanced nanomaterials (Levidian Nanosystems, Haydale Ltd). He has served as Principal Investigator for the Green Future Investment Fund, supporting SMEs through scientific consultancy to translate innovative concepts into commercially viable technologies.
His enterprise activities include successful delivery of Innovate UK industrial commercialisation projects—such as sustainable dyeing using food-waste-derived materials and mycelium-based leather alternatives—as well as energy innovation projects on solar thermal systems for clean cooking. Additional consultancy work has led to impactful industrial outcomes, including novel fibre testing methodologies with Unilever, carbon fibre reinforcement technologies for defence applications, recycling solutions for plastic waste in construction, and ongoing development of technologies in water purification using advanced hydrogels.
Grants/Contracts:
- UKRI Interdisciplinary Circular Economy Centre for Textiles: Textiles Circularity Centre £4.1 Million (Co-I) (Link)
- UKRI/EPSRC High-Performance Cellulose Fibres to Replace Glass & Carbon Fibre Precursors £2.06 Million (Co-I) (Link)
- Royal Academy of Engineering Industrial–Academia Collaboration Fund Total Value: £201,300 (PI)
- Innovate UK Energy Catalyst Funding: Efficient & Affordable Medium-Size Concentrated Solar Power Device for Low-Cost Clean Cooking Total Value: £213,127 (PI) (Featured Case study)
- Innovate UK Funding: Sustainable Textiles and Fashion (Projects 10066444 and 10061084, Oct 2022 – Dec 2023) Total Value: £225,220 (Co-I)
- Green Future Investment Ltd: Sustainable Fashion, Biopolymers, Textiles, and Bio-Composites GBP 141,640 (PI)
- EPSRC CDT in Advanced Composites and DTA Funding for Five PhD Scholarships £518,550 (acted as a main supervisor for the PhD awards)
- Overseas Government and Self-Funded PhD Studentships Total Value: £856,000 (Main supervisor for PhD awards) 9] EPSRC Impact Acceleration Funding (in collaboration with Unilever and SMEs on Fibres, Plastics, and Composites Testing) £101,700 (PI) 10] Ponda Biomaterials: Novel Textile Fibres from Biomass Waste £75,000 (PI) Numerous short industrial consultancy projects across the aerospace, automotive, textile, and fashion sectors