Sagar Nikam is a Lecturer at Ulster University's School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems, specializing in additive manufacturing and laser processing technologies. He works at the Derry~Londonderry campus in Magee, Northern Ireland. PhD in Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Indore (2018) MSc from National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli (2013) BSc from Shivaji University (2010) His research focuses on additive manufacturing processes , particularly laser directed energy deposition and powder bed fusion technologies. He develops image processing algorithms and computer vision systems for real-time defect detection in biomedical-grade alloys, employing artificial intelligence techniques like YOLO-based object detection models. His work addresses critical aspects such as: Melt pool dynamics and spatter particle analysis Thermal modeling incorporating Marangoni convection effects Finite element simulation of deposition processes Process parameter optimization using genetic algorithms Recent projects include Digital twin-based process monitoring systems funded by the Department for the Economy (UK Government), collaborating with colleagues like Dr. Deepika Nikam, Dr. David Kerr, and Prof. Sean Coleman.
Mohammad Mahtabi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Mississippi State University under the supervision of Profs. Tonya Stone and James C. Newman Jr., with prior academic training in structural engineering (MS, Iran University of Science and Technology) and civil engineering (BS, University of Tehran). His professional experience includes a postdoctoral research associate position at the Dynamic and Smart Systems Lab (Elahinia's Lab) at the University of Toledo. Undergraduate Teaching: Statics, Mechanics of Materials, Machine Design, Mechanical Vibrations, Failure of Engineering Materials, Introduction to Materials Science Graduate Teaching: Mechanics of Shape Memory Alloys, Computational Material Science, Advanced Mechanics of Materials, Finite Element Analysis, Continuum Mechanics, Engineering Fracture Mechanics, Fatigue Design and Analysis His research focuses on additive manufacturing, fatigue and fracture mechanics, shape memory alloys (particularly NiTi and NiTiHf), medical devices, and computational mechanics. Publications reveal expertise in molecular dynamics, finite element analysis, and process optimization for laser-based additive manufacturing techniques like Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Laser Directed Energy Deposition (LDED). Key subfields include phase transformation, precipitate effects, multiaxial fatigue modeling, and surface roughness impacts on fatigue life. Recent work emphasizes predictive modeling of fatigue behavior in additively manufactured materials, atomic-scale simulations of shape memory alloys, and electroplating processes for polymer-metal composites. His laboratory affiliations include the Dynamic and Smart Systems Lab at the University of Toledo and UTC's College of Engineering and Computer Science.
Ignacio Rios Uribe is an Assistant Professor at the Naveen Jindal School of Management (University of Texas at Dallas) specializing in Operations Management . He holds a PhD in Operations, Information and Technology (2020) from Stanford University, with additional MA in Economics from Stanford and MS/BS in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Universidad de Chile. PhD in Operations, Information and Technology (2020) - Stanford University MA in Economics (2020) - Stanford University MS in Operations Management (2014) - Universidad de Chile BS in Industrial Engineering (2014) - Universidad de Chile His research focuses on Behavioral Operations Management , particularly in matching markets , college admissions systems, and online platform optimization . Current projects examine mechanism design for dating apps, strategic behavior in college applications, team-building incentives, and charity donation systems. He employs mathematical modeling, field experiments, and structural estimation techniques. Recent publications analyze platform design for curated dating markets (M&SOM, 2023), stable matching with contingent priorities (Management Science, 2023), and capacity planning in school choice (Operations Research, 2022). His work combines theoretical analysis with empirical validation using real-world data from Chilean education systems and industry partners. Awards include First Place in Doing Good with Good OR (2018) and BOM Best Working Paper Competition (2023) Published in top journals like Management Science, M&SOM, Operations Research Professional affiliations with INFORMS and Manufacturing & Service Operations Management Society
Professor Qing Li is a faculty member at the School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney. He obtained his PhD from Sydney in 2000, underwent postdoc training at Cornell University (2000-2001), and held academic roles at James Cook University (2004-2006). He joined Sydney in 2006 via a Sesqui senior lectureship, becoming Associate Professor in 2010 and Professor in 2014. He served as Director of Postgraduate Studies (2007-2012) and Director of Biomedical Engineering (2017-2019). Education: PhD (University of Sydney, 2000), ME (UTS), ME (Hunan) His research focuses on computational design, multidisciplinary optimization of nonlinear and time-dependent multifunctional materials, and biomedical applications. Key areas include additive manufacturing , biomechanics , and machine learning in structural reliability. Recent publications emphasize fracture modeling in biomaterials, reliability analysis, and tissue scaffold design. Recent publications highlight Bayesian learning for robotic systems, probabilistic transformation in reliability analysis, and phase field fracture models for additively manufactured composites. Collaborations with industry partners like Cochlear and Stryker span ARC , NHMRC , and MRFF projects. Awards: Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2020), Top 50 Australia Research Leader (2020), APACM Computational Mechanics Award (2016) Fellowships: ARC Future Fellow (2013-2017), ARC Australian Postdoctoral Fellow (2001) He supervises PhD students in projects like epidermal electrodes , Silver Diamine Fluoride remineralization , and virtual surgical planning . His leadership extends to the Centre for Advanced Materials Technology and editorial roles in computational methods journals.
Tuomas Puttonen is a Researcher at Aalto University, affiliated with the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering and the Materials to Products division. His work focuses on additive manufacturing (AM), corrosion of materials, and design complexity in AM processes. He holds a Doctoral Thesis (2023) exploring long-term material behavior in additive manufacturing contexts. His research spans industrial barriers to digital spare parts adoption, lattice structure corrosion analysis, and AI-driven defect detection in metal AM. Key research interests include powder bed fusion technologies, material characterization via X-ray tomography, and sustainable manufacturing practices. Puttonen has contributed to datasets on AM polyamide weathering, lattice structure corrosion, and dimensional accuracy evaluations. Collaborations emphasize cross-industry applications of AM in the machine-building sector. Education: Doctoral Thesis (2023) Key datasets: Aalto 3D prints , Corrosion Test 20 His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to sustainable industry and innovation. Research trends emphasize bridging AM technology gaps between academia and industry, particularly in corrosion-resistant designs and AI integration for quality control.
Professor Neil Sims holds a faculty position in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield . His research spans smart fluid dampers , machining vibration control , and uncertainty propagation in structural systems. He has pioneered methods for chatter suppression in high-speed machining and energy harvesting system design. Educational Background: First Degree in Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield PhD in Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield Research Focus includes smart materials (magnetorheological/electrorheological fluids), nonlinear dynamics , and adaptive control systems . His work integrates computational modeling , experimental validation , and machine learning for industrial applications. Recent Publications highlight advancements in inerter-based vibration absorbers , machine learning for machining optimization , and actuator saturation challenges . These studies reflect his interdisciplinary approach to structural stability and manufacturing efficiency. Scientific Recognition: EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship (2003-2008) on machining chatter Collaborative Impact extends to seismic isolation , robotic machining , and energy harvesting from human motion and machinery. His editorial work in the Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part B (2021) underscores leadership in machining science.
Professor Karl Dearn is the Head of the School of Engineering and a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham. With over 20 years of industrial and academic experience, he specializes in tribology, mechanical engineering design, and polymer engineering. He leads the Mason Institute of Tribology, a research group focused on innovation, comprising post-doctoral fellows, PhD students, and a Master's researcher. His academic journey includes roles as a Lecturer (2008), Senior Lecturer, and Reader in Mechanical Engineering (2016). He holds accolades such as the 2009 IMechE Visionary Award and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His research explores lubrication science, renewable fuels, additive manufacturing, and surface engineering, with applications in automotive, biomedical, and industrial sectors. Key Research Areas: Tribology, Polymer Gears, Combustion Emissions, Additive Manufacturing. Awards: IMechE Visionary Award, Senior Whitworth Scholar. Professional Affiliations: Whitworth Society (Past President), AMIMechE. Recent publications highlight advancements in nano-additives for lubricants, PEEK mechanical performance in additive manufacturing, and combustion characteristics of alternative fuels. His work emphasizes environmental sustainability and industrial innovation.
Dr. Jiang Li is a Professor in the Batten College of Engineering & Technology at Old Dominion University (ODU). He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington (2004), an M.S. in Automation from Tsinghua University (2000), and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (1992). Before joining ODU in 2007, he was a postdoctoral fellow at the NIH's Department of Radiology (2004–2006). Dr. Li's research focuses on machine learning, medical imaging, and signal processing. His work spans computer-aided diagnosis systems for medical applications, neural networks, and modeling/simulation. He has led or co-led numerous grants, including funded projects on biomarker identification, robotic dental implantation, and hazard detection. His research trends emphasize interdisciplinary applications of AI, such as medical imaging analysis, remote sensing, and cybersecurity in engineering systems. Recent publications highlight advancements in deep learning for radiation estimation, seagrass mapping, and adversarial attack detection. Awards : NIH Fellows Award for Research Excellence (2006) UTA TxTEC Award (2003) Image Processing Scholarship (2002) Herman Fellowship (2000) Dr. Li's advising and grants reflect collaborations across disciplines, with notable contributions to biomedical engineering and computational methods. He has contributed to labs and teams in medical imaging, robotics, and environmental remote sensing.
Dr. Abhijeet Ghadge is an Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management and Co-Director of the Open Programme in Supply Chain Management at Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield University. He holds a PhD from Loughborough University and degrees from IIT Kharagpur and Aeronautical Society of India. His research focuses on Industry 4.0/5.0 applications, supply chain resilience, and digital transformation in logistics. He has published extensively in journals like IJOPM, IJPE, and SCMIJ, and actively collaborates with industry leaders such as Rolls-Royce and DHL. Education: PhD in Operations and Supply Chain Management, Loughborough University MTech in Industrial Engineering and Management, IIT Kharagpur BEng in Aeronautical Engineering, Aeronautical Society of India Research interests emphasize digital twin implementation, blockchain in food and pharmaceutical supply chains, and climate change impact mitigation. He serves on editorial boards of journals like International Journal of Logistics Management and Computers & Industrial Engineering, and advises organizations like the Logistics Research Network and UK Critical Imports Council. Recent projects include an Innovate UK-funded IoT-Blockchain platform for maritime shipping and a study on post-Brexit supply chain strategies. His work addresses critical risks like cybersecurity, counterfeit goods, and pandemic disruptions. Awards include Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy and membership in CILT (UK). Grants and collaborations total over £1.5M, with interdisciplinary projects involving SMEs and global firms. His advisory role in the Critical Imports Council underscores his leadership in national supply chain resilience initiatives. Labs/Teams: Leads research in Cranfield’s Centre for Logistics, Procurement, and Supply Chain Management, focusing on resilience, Industry 4.0 integration, and sustainable practices.
Josh Worch is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), part of the College of Science. He leads the Worch Lab, focused on designing sustainable polymers from renewable sources to address ecological challenges. His research emphasizes recyclable materials, dynamic bonding, and green chemistry processes. Education: B.A. in Chemistry & Physics from Manchester University (2011), Ph.D. in Chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University (2016). Postdoctoral roles included a Marie Curie Research Fellowship at the University of Warwick/Birmingham (2017–2019) and Group Leader at the University of Birmingham (2020–2022). Research Interests: Creation of intrinsically recyclable polymers, biogenic feedstocks, additive manufacturing, and programmable material lifetimes. Key themes include stereochemical control, green synthesis, and circular economy principles. Awards: M. Zouhair Atassi Research Paper Prize (2021) Royal Society of Chemistry Outreach Grant (2019) School of Chemistry Public Engagement Award (2019) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (2017) Labs & Teams: Worch Lab at Virginia Tech explores sustainable polymer design, with a focus on recycling and additive manufacturing. Group members gain expertise in polymer synthesis, materials characterization, and degradation studies.
Ji Ma is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Virginia. His research focuses on additive manufacturing of metallic alloys, microstructure control, and multifunctional materials design. He explores novel material properties through 3D printing techniques, including spatially tailored properties, 3D concrete printing, and medical implant applications. His work addresses challenges in porosity, residual stress, and corrosion resistance in additively manufactured materials. Education: Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University (2012) B.S. Civil Engineering, Texas A&M University (2008) Research Interests include: Additive Manufacturing Multifunctional Materials Tailored Materials Orthopaedic Implants His projects span metallic alloys, multi-material printing, and bio-inspired materials for healthcare and construction. Grants and Collaborations: Virginia Innovation Partnership grant for commercializing 3D-printed wrist replacement technology Lead of $4.3M DARPA project to develop corrosion-resistant materials for naval systems Cross-disciplinary work with architecture and environmental sciences on sustainable 3D-printed soil structures Labs/Teams: Directs the Advanced Additive Manufacturing and Materials Group, focusing on innovation in material design, process optimization, and application-driven solutions for industry and healthcare.
Dr. S. Vanapalli is an Associate Professor in the Energy Materials Systems department at the University of Twente, specializing in cryogenics, heat transfer, and microcooling technologies. With over 920 Scopus citations and a 16 h-index, their research focuses on cryogenic systems, phase change materials, and thermal management solutions for biomedical and industrial applications. Research Highlights: Developed cryogen-free snap-freezing devices for tissue preservation Innovated gas-gap heat switches for thermal control systems Investigated Leidenfrost dynamics in liquid nitrogen and dry ice systems Optimized microchannel cooling architectures with isotropically etched pillars Explored additive manufacturing applications in cryogenic components Scientific Impact: Vanapalli's recent work spans cryogenic cold chain logistics, direct-contact freeze concentration, and sublimation temperature modeling. Their research bridges fundamental thermodynamic studies with practical applications in pharmaceuticals and precision oncology, with recent emphasis on eliminating sacrificial cryogens in biomedical freezing protocols.
Pu Zhang is an Associate Professor and Undergraduate Studies Director in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Binghamton University (State University of New York at Binghamton). He leads the Composite and Architected Materials Group, focusing on advanced materials research. Previously, he held postdoctoral positions at the University of Manchester and earned his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh, with earlier degrees from Hunan University. Education background includes a B.S. and M.S. in Mechanics from Hunan University (China), followed by a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh (USA). His research interests revolve around the mechanics, design, and manufacturing of composite and architected materials, particularly those incorporating liquid metals. Key areas include: Development of soft conductive composites and metamaterials Advanced manufacturing techniques like additive manufacturing and hybrid methods Multiscale and multiphysics modeling for material behavior prediction Recent publications highlight advancements in liquid metal-based composites, additive manufacturing innovations, and multiscale modeling approaches. These works address challenges in material fabrication, characterization, and application in fields like soft robotics and wearable electronics. He has received notable recognitions, including the NSF CAREER Award (2022) and the Watson Early-Stage Distinguished Research Award (2024). Zhang has taught courses such as Intro to Solid Mechanics and Mechanics of Composites. He has mentored over seven PhD and MS students and holds multiple patents. His research is supported by NSF, IEEC, and industry partnerships. His lab, the Composite and Architected Materials Group, fosters interdisciplinary research in soft functional materials and advanced manufacturing technologies.
Prof. Jan Torgersen is a Professor of Materials Science at the TUM School of Engineering and Design , Technical University of Munich. His research focuses on advanced materials, additive manufacturing, electrochemical systems, and biomedical applications. He leads projects exploring novel material synthesis techniques, corrosion-resistant coatings, and energy storage solutions. Key research areas include: - Design of architected carbon materials for fuel cells and energy storage - Development of bio-inspired materials for biomedical devices - Computational modeling of material failure and microstructural behavior - Solar energy systems and high-concentration photovoltaics - Atomic layer deposition (ALD) for thin film applications Recent work highlights: - Innovations in gas diffusion layer optimization for PEM fuel cells - Biomimetic designs enhancing mass transport in electrochemical systems - Corrosion mitigation strategies for biomedical implants - Breakthroughs in ultra-thin ALD membrane fabrication His interdisciplinary research bridges materials science with engineering applications, addressing challenges in sustainability, energy efficiency, and healthcare technologies.
Davide Dalmazzo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering (DIATI) at Politecnico di Torino, Italy. He specializes in Roads, Railways, and Airports (SSD ICAR/04) and serves as the technical manager of teaching and research activities for asphalt binders at the High Quality Experimental Laboratory of Innovative and Recycled Materials for Civil Engineering Infrastructures. He has been affiliated with Politecnico di Torino since his post-doctoral research (2009–2014), progressing from Assistant Professor (2014–2017) to his current role. His research is centered on sustainable and innovative materials for transportation infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on asphalt technology, recycling, and rheology. Key areas include: Characterization and modeling of bituminous materials Use of recycled plastics and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) Development of sustainable pavement solutions Rheological testing and performance modeling of binders and mixtures Low-temperature behavior and fracture resistance of asphalt His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on circular economy principles in pavement engineering, particularly through projects like Green Roads, which explores plastic-modified asphalt. He frequently employs advanced testing methods such as the Monotonic Torsional Loading (MTL) test and contributes to RILEM standardization efforts. His work bridges laboratory research with practical applications in road construction and maintenance. Scientific contributions include: Co-inventor of a national patent on workability testing equipment for asphalt and granular materials Active participation in competitive and commercial research projects Regular publication in high-impact journals such as Construction and Building Materials , Materials , and Road Materials and Pavement Design Davide Dalmazzo advises several PhD students, including Davide Cimenti, Aliasghar Akbari Nasrekani, Joseph Nicolas La Macchia, and previously Sadegh Yeganeh. He is also involved in multiple research grants and contracts, particularly those focused on sustainable materials and infrastructure resilience. He leads or contributes to teaching in Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs in Civil Engineering, with courses on pavement engineering, rheology, and infrastructure maintenance. He is a key member of the Interdepartmental Center SISCON, focusing on infrastructure safety. He is actively engaged in laboratory research and leads experimental efforts in innovative material development, particularly for rural and low-volume roads. His work supports UN Sustainable Development Goals 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and 13 (Climate Action).
