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Luke N. BrewerView profile

Professor

• Additive Manufacturing
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Advanced Materials
• +12 more

Luke N. Brewer is a Professor in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at The University of Alabama, with an adjunct appointment in Mechanical Engineering. He serves as Associate Department Head for Graduate Studies and Director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Design Integration within the College of Engineering. His research focuses on advanced manufacturing technologies, particularly cold spray additive manufacturing and repair of metallic structures. His educational background includes a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Northwestern University (2001), and dual B.S.E. degrees in Materials Science and Engineering and Applied Mathematics, also from Northwestern University (1996). Dr. Brewer's research interests center on processing-microstructure-mechanical property relationships in metallic alloys and ceramics. He actively investigates cold spray deposition, atomization of metallic powders, rapid solidification, friction stir welding, resistance welding, and materials characterization technique development. His work has significant applications in aerospace, automotive, and defense sectors. He has been involved in high-impact research initiatives, including a $3.8 million Department of Energy grant focused on jet biofuel solutions and research on 3D printing technologies for military applications. His leadership is recognized through roles in major research centers and contributions to the Capstone engineering program. Scientific Awards and Recognition: Featured in Alabama Innovation Fund award (2015) supporting advanced research at The University of Alabama Advising and Grants: Dr. Brewer advises graduate students in materials science and engineering, including Ph.D. graduate Dr. Pallavi Pant. He leads research funded by federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Energy and collaborates on projects with military applications. His team receives support through institutional and state-level innovation funding. Labs and Research Teams: He leads research activities at the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Design Integration. His group conducts experimental work on cold spray deposition, welding technologies, and materials characterization. The team hosts regular group events, including an annual potluck, and provides student research opportunities in advanced manufacturing.

• Cryogenics
• Heat Transfer
• Thermal Management
• +4 more

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.

• Additive Manufacturing
• Materials Science
• Engineering Design
• +3 more

Suraj Panicker is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Automation Technology and Mechanical Engineering. He holds a Master of Science in Industrial Management from Oregon State University (2018) and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (2014). His research focuses on additive manufacturing, materials science, and engineering design optimization, with particular emphasis on thermal analysis, dimensional modeling, and process-structure-property linkages. He has contributed to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and innovation. Key research themes include wire arc additive manufacturing, infill strategy optimization, and graph-based modeling for design fidelity evaluation. His work integrates functional modeling, Bayesian networks, and singular value decomposition to address challenges in manufacturing processes and sustainability. Recent activities include presenting at the 2024 International Symposium on Industrial Engineering and Automation and contributing to the HE-LHC magnet production project. Collaborations span academic and industrial partners, with active involvement in conferences since 2019. His research outputs (20 articles from 2018–2025) explore topics ranging from thermal history prediction to cold spray functionalization of additive manufactured structures.

• Additive Manufacturing
• Materials Design
• Metal 3D Printing
• +3 more

Dr. Minh-Son Pham is a Senior Lecturer in Materials at Imperial College London, specializing in additive manufacturing and materials design. He obtained his Doctor of Science from ETH Zurich and leads research on metal 3D printing, material degradation, and meta-materials. His research investigates microstructure-property relationships in additively manufactured alloys, particularly nickel superalloys and high-entropy alloys. Recent work explores damage-tolerant architected materials inspired by crystal microstructures, with applications in aerospace and biomedicine. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on process-microstructure-property relationships in additive manufacturing, combining experimental characterization with computational modeling. Research spans fundamental materials science to industrial applications with aerospace and medical device partners. Awards include the 2024 TMS Young Innovator Award. He teaches fracture mechanics and additive manufacturing courses while coordinating international exchange programs. Current projects involve industrial collaborations on alloy design for 3D printing and meta-material development.

Ahmad Nourian AvvalView profile

Research Professor

• Additive Manufacturing
• Mechanical Performance of Metallic Materials
• Process-Microstructure-Performance Relationship
• +3 more

Dr. Ahmad Nourian Avval is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at Northeastern University. His research focuses on mechanical performance of metallic materials, process-microstructure-performance relationships, additive manufacturing, and advanced materials. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Memphis (2020), an MSc in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Science and Technology, Tehran (2005), and a BSc in Materials Science and Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran (2002). Professional affiliations include the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS). His research explores cold spray additive manufacturing techniques for aluminum alloys, fatigue performance under multiaxial loading conditions, and material defect characterization. Key areas include optimizing process parameters for cold spray deposition, analyzing microstructural effects on mechanical properties, and developing predictive models for fatigue life under complex loading scenarios. Publications highlight advancements in cold spray technology for Al 6061 alloys, including substrate surface preparation, particle velocity optimization, and post-deposition treatments. Recent work emphasizes bulk fracture anisotropy and energy dissipation-based fatigue prediction models. While no specific awards are listed, his contributions align with major grants in additive manufacturing cybersecurity and mechanical robustness, reflecting Northeastern’s interdisciplinary research priorities. Advising: No formal advisees listed Grants: Collaborates on $4.8M Army Research Laboratory (ARL) funding for wire-arc additive manufacturing and $1.5M ARL grant for cold spray cybersecurity Labs/Teams: Active in Northeastern’s advanced materials and additive manufacturing research groups

Heli KoivuluotoView profile

Associate Professor

• Materials Science
• Thermal Spraying
• Corrosion Protection
• +7 more

Heli Koivuluoto is an Associate Professor (tenure track) in Materials Science and Environmental Engineering at Tampere University. She holds a Doctor of Science (Tech.) degree in Materials Technology with a focus on Rock Engineering and a Master of Science in Technology. Her research centers on advanced coating technologies, including cold spray, thermal spraying, and icephobic materials. Key areas include surface engineering for corrosion resistance, functional coatings for marine and cold environments, and material characterization using SEM/TEM. Education: Doctor of Science (Technology), Materials Technology, Rock Engineering (2010) Master of Science (Technology) (2005) Her work emphasizes practical applications such as ice-resistant coatings, composite materials for aerospace and infrastructure, and process optimization in additive manufacturing. She has supervised numerous master's theses and internships, including projects on cold-sprayed coatings and composite materials at institutions like the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. Recent research trends include real-time process monitoring in cold spray additive manufacturing, development of durable superhydrophobic and icephobic surfaces, and microstructural analysis of quasicrystalline composites. Her work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Dr. Koivuluoto is actively engaged in organizing international conferences, including the ITSC 2025 Thermal Spray Conference, and serves as a reviewer for multiple journals and funding applications.

• Additive Manufacturing
• Surface Engineering
• Smart Manufacturing
• +5 more

Dr. Semih Akin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), joining in Spring 2024. His research focuses on multi-scale additive manufacturing, surface engineering, and smart manufacturing, with applications in 3D-printed electronics, electronic textiles, energy devices, and self-powered sensors. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 2022, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship there before transitioning to RPI. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 2022 Research Interests: Dr. Akin’s work emphasizes innovative manufacturing techniques such as cold spray technology, functional coatings, and smart materials. His studies bridge the gap between theoretical modeling and practical applications, including energy harvesting systems (e.g., triboelectric nanogenerators), wearable electronics, and biomedical implants. Recent advancements include composite materials for enhanced energy efficiency and flexible, conductive surfaces for multifunctional devices. Publications Trends: His recent work (2024–2025) highlights breakthroughs in cold spray processes, real-time manufacturing monitoring, and the integration of AI in powder flow diagnostics. Key themes include functional surface engineering, predictive modeling, and scalable production of electronic textiles. Awards: 2024 Reviewers of the Year (Awarded 2025) for outstanding contributions to academic peer review. Advising & Labs: While no formal advisees are listed, Dr. Akin leads the Semilab-RPI , a research group advancing additive manufacturing and smart materials. His projects often involve collaborations in energy, biomedical, and wearable technology domains. Labs/Teams: The Semilab-RPI focuses on experimental and computational studies of advanced manufacturing systems, functional materials, and their industrial applications.

Seok-Woo LeeView profile

Associate Professor

• Mechanical behavior of advanced structural materials
• In-situ nanomechanics
• Dislocation dynamics simulations
• +4 more

Seok-Woo Lee is an Associate Professor at the University of Connecticut 's College of Engineering , serving as the Director for Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering. He earned his Ph.D. from Stanford University in 2011. Mechanical behavior of advanced structural materials In-situ nanomechanics (nanoindentation, micropillar compression) Dislocation simulations (molecular dynamics, discrete dislocation dynamics) Single crystal growth and laser lithography High strain-rate deformation and polymer nanocomposites Recent publications highlight work in biomedical nanomaterials, cold spray technology, and crystal deformation mechanisms. His research frequently involves collaborations with undergraduate researchers. Castleman Term Professor in Engineering Innovation (2020) Mentorship Excellence Award (2019) MSE Teaching Excellence of the Year (2018, 2017) NASA Early Career Faculty Award (2016) He has received multiple university-level awards for teaching, service, and research excellence, including multiple MSE Faculty of the Year and Research Excellence recognitions. His research has been supported by NASA and university fellowships.

Aaron StebnerView profile

Professor

• Manufacturing
• Machine Learning
• Materials Science
• +3 more

Aaron Stebner is the Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr. Chair in Manufacturing and a Professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology's College of Engineering. His research bridges mechanical engineering, materials science, and data science, focusing on additive manufacturing (AM), machine learning integration, and materials characterization. He leads The Beam Team , leveraging synchrotron and neutron facilities for multi-scale studies. Education: Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering), Northwestern University, 2012 M.S. (Mechanical Engineering), The University of Akron, 2008 B.S. (Mechanical Engineering), The University of Akron, 2005 Research Interests: Additive Manufacturing: Process qualification, material optimization, and high-throughput characterization. Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs): Design for aerospace, biomedical, and energy applications, including hysteresis mechanisms and fatigue resistance. Machine Learning: Data-driven models for materials discovery and process optimization in AM. Micromechanics: Linking microstructure to macroscopic properties via X-ray/neutron diffraction. Smart Materials: Applications in morphing aircraft structures and biomedical implants. Grants & Advising: Recipient of the DMREF/GOALI grant for physics-informed AI in metal matrix composites. Leads the IACMI Project 4.2 on thermoplastic composites for wind turbine blades. Guides industry-government partnerships to translate scientific discoveries into real-world tools. Labs & Teams: The Beam Team : Specializes in in situ experiments using advanced characterization techniques (e.g., high-energy diffraction microscopy). Collaborates internationally on projects like the CASMART student design challenges. Develops Stebner Labs infrastructure for multi-scale materials analysis and AM innovation.

Mauricio PongaView profile

Associate Professor

• Mechanics of Materials
• Computational Modeling
• Multiscale Modeling
• +4 more

Mauricio Ponga is an Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia (UBC), Faculty of Applied Science. His research focuses on computational mechanics, multiscale modeling, and material failure analysis. He holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. from the University of Seville, a B.S. from the University of La Plata, and completed postdoctoral work at Caltech. Education: B.S. (University of La Plata), M.Sc. (University of Seville), Ph.D. (University of Seville), Postdoctoral Fellowship (Caltech) Research Interests Mechanics of materials under extreme conditions Multiscale modeling (atomic to continuum) Thermal and electronic transport in materials Material failure mechanisms (spallation, twinning) Industrial applications (batteries, superconductors) Recent Publications highlight his work on high-entropy alloys, polymer brushes, 2D materials, and novel simulation methods like local two-temperature molecular dynamics (l2T-MD) and accelerated mesodynamics (aMD). Projects include collaborations with TRIUMF, NSERC, and FP Innovations. Labs & Collaborations Principal Investigator of the Modeling and Simulation Research Group at UBC Collaborations with S2SES (Coanda-effect screens), DND (gradient nano-grained alloys), and Caltech (postdoctoral work)

Hongjoo RheeView profile

Professor

• Materials Science
• Steel Alloy Design
• Additive Manufacturing
• +12 more

Hongjoo Rhee is a Professor in the Michael W. Hall School of Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University and serves as Associate Director at the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems (CAVS). His work bridges fundamental materials science with industrial and aerospace applications, with strong affiliations in both academic and applied research environments. Ph.D., Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Michigan State University, 2005 M.S., Metallurgical Engineering, Inha University, Republic of Korea, 1993 B.S., Metallurgical Engineering, Inha University, Republic of Korea, 1991 Dr. Rhee's research focuses on steel alloy design , additive manufacturing , bio-inspired materials , and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) for space exploration. His work emphasizes the chemistry-process-structure-property-performance relationships in advanced materials, particularly next-generation high-strength steels and metal matrix composites. He leverages multi-scale modeling, experimental characterization, and ICME (Integrated Computational Materials Engineering) to innovate in sustainable and high-performance materials. The recent publications reflect a strong trend in space-compatible materials development , microstructure optimization in steels , and additive manufacturing . His work spans from aerospace alloys like Ti-6Al-4V to Martian regolith-based iron production, demonstrating interdisciplinary innovation. Keywords across these works include metallurgy, mechanical behavior, and sustainable processing, with subfields covering hydrogen embrittlement, twin interactions, and cold spray modeling. His research has been supported by prestigious sponsors including the Department of Defense (DoD) , National Science Foundation (NSF) , and NASA . These grants enable cutting-edge projects in vehicle lightweighting, component design, and planetary resource utilization. DoD NSF NASA Industrial Partners Dr. Rhee leads research at CAVS, where the Steel Research team operates a fully equipped lab-scale steel manufacturing facility, including vacuum induction melting, rolling mills, and heat treatment systems. His group actively works on ICME-driven alloy development and collaborates with industrial partners for scalable innovations.

Abdul SyedView profile

Researcher

• Materials Science
• Additive Manufacturing
• Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics
• +4 more

Abdul Syed is a Researcher at the Faculty of Engineering and Computing, Coventry University, specializing in advanced materials science for aerospace applications. He holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from The Open University, UK, earned in 2014 through research on bonded crack retarders for structural integrity enhancement. His career spans roles in residual stress analysis, material performance evaluation of additively manufactured alloys, and metal matrix composites. Education : MSc in Advanced Materials Science (Lulea University, Sweden; Saarland University, Germany, 2008) PhD in Aerospace Engineering (The Open University, UK, 2014) Research Interests focus on: Structural integrity and damage tolerance Residual stress measurement techniques Additive manufacturing of titanium/aluminum alloys Fatigue and fracture mechanics Material characterization under extreme conditions Metal matrix composites Publication Trends show a concentration on aerospace-grade alloys (Ti-6Al-4V, Al-Mg-Sc) and additive manufacturing processes (wire-arc DED, LPBF). Key analytical methods include neutron diffraction, tomography, and in situ mechanical testing to study defect tolerance, crack propagation, and residual stress evolution. Collaborations include partnerships with Dr. X. Zhang and industrial stakeholders in aerospace R&D. He actively supervises PhD students and contributes to advancing predictive models for fatigue life in AM components.

Srinivasan NagarajanView profile

Researcher

• Additive Manufacturing
• Materials Science
• Mechanical Behavior of Materials
• +3 more

Dr. Srinivasan Nagarajan serves as a Research Scientist II at the Arbegast Materials Processing and Joining Laboratory (AMP Lab) at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, leading critical projects in additive manufacturing while advising undergraduate and graduate researchers. His expertise bridges advanced materials processing techniques with mechanical behavior analysis across multiple scales. His academic foundation includes: Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Homi Bhabha National Institute / Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research Campus (2015) M.Sc. in Materials Science from Anna University/College of Engineering Guindy Campus (2009) B.Sc. in Physics from University of Madras/D.G. Vaishnav College (2007), graduating first rank with multiple awards Nagarajan's research centers on processing-structure-performance relationships in additively manufactured materials, with pioneering work in solid-state and hybrid methods. He specializes in cold spray deposition, friction stir processing, and wire direct energy deposition for structural steels, employing nondestructive characterization techniques like digital image correlation and full-field imaging. His investigations span microstructural evolution during deformation across length and time scales, revealing fundamental mechanisms in alloys including aluminum-magnesium systems and dual-phase steels. Analysis of his publication trajectory shows consistent innovation in hybrid additive manufacturing processes, particularly for stainless steels, with increasing emphasis on in-situ characterization techniques. His work demonstrates a clear progression from fundamental deformation studies toward applied manufacturing solutions, integrating thermomechanical analysis with advanced imaging to solve industrial challenges in automotive and aerospace sectors. His accolades include: INSPIRE Faculty Award (Department of Science & Technology, 2017) National Postdoctoral Fellowship (Science & Engineering Research Board, 2017) McMaster/General Motors Postdoctoral Fellowship (2015) Multiple Department of Atomic Energy research fellowships Throughout his career, Nagarajan has secured government and industry funding as principal investigator, established specialized laboratories across institutions in India, Canada, and the United States, and mentored numerous students. His collaborative approach spans national laboratories and academic centers, with current focus on optimizing cold spray-friction stir hybrid manufacturing at SD Mines' AMP Lab. He maintains active peer review roles for leading journals including Additive Manufacturing and Journal of Materials Science, driving methodological rigor in the field.

• Mechanical Engineering
• Materials Science
• Fatigue Analysis
• +6 more

Raffaella Sesana is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Polytechnic University of Turin. She is a member of the Interdepartmental Center J-Tech@PoliTO and serves on the Single Guarantee Committee. Her academic career spans multiple teaching levels from bachelor to PhD programs, with specialization in mechanical design, experimental mechanics, and thermographic analysis. Dr. Sesana's research focuses on fatigue behavior, mechanical characterization of materials, nanostructured materials, and thermography applications. Her work bridges theoretical mechanics with practical industrial applications, particularly in non-destructive testing and mechanical design. She has developed significant expertise in active and passive thermography techniques for material characterization and defect detection. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward applying thermographic methods to solve engineering challenges in aerospace, mechanical design, and materials science. These works show increasing integration of computational methods with experimental techniques, particularly in fatigue analysis, residual stress measurement, and additive manufacturing applications. Her research has clear applications in rocket engine development, bearing technology, and sustainable materials. Start Cup Piemonte and Valle d'Aosta (2024) Fund for the financing of basic research activities FFABR 2017 Dr. Sesana actively supervises numerous PhD students across mechanical and aerospace engineering programs, with current advisees working on topics ranging from liquid rocket engines to thermographic evaluation techniques. She leads multiple research projects including RILEnergy (2023-2024), development of active thermography methodology (2023-2024), and research on new Liquid Rocket Engine cooling systems (2024-2025). Her commercial research spans from 2010 to present, addressing industry challenges in mechanical design, welding, and materials characterization. She is a key member of the ISED: Industrial Systems Engineering and Design research group and leads the Design and Experimentation of Mechanical Drive Components and Thermography group. Her work connects academic research with industrial applications through numerous collaborative agreements with commercial partners across various engineering sectors.

• High-Temperature Corrosion
• Metallic Materials
• Surface Engineering
• +5 more

Sébastien Chevalier is a University Professor at the University of Burgundy, affiliated with the Institut Carnot de Bourgogne (ICB) laboratory. He serves as Deputy Director of the ICB laboratory since January 2017 and leads research in the Department of Metallurgical Processes, Sustainability, and Materials (PMDM). His educational background includes a doctoral thesis completed in October 1998 at the University of Burgundy on the durability of metallic materials at high temperatures, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Clausthal University of Technology in Germany. He was appointed Lecturer at ESIREM in 1999. Professor Chevalier's research focuses on high-temperature materials behavior, particularly: Study of degradation of metallic materials in aggressive atmospheres at high temperature Understanding mechanisms of corrosion at high temperature using advanced techniques like in-situ DRX, TEM, XPS, SIMS, SEM Application of protective surface treatments against high-temperature corrosion Aging and durability under complex atmospheres including H 2 O vapor, S 2 , H 2 S, and Cl 2 Development of metallic materials for energy production and sustainable development Study of aging of metallic materials produced by additive manufacturing His recent publications demonstrate strong focus on high-temperature corrosion mechanisms, protective coatings development, and materials for energy applications. His work often employs advanced characterization techniques including isotopic labeling to understand oxide layer growth mechanisms. Professor Chevalier has received recognition through: 106 publications in A-ranked journals 20 other publications 14 works He has supervised 16 PhD theses and participated in 59 Thesis and HDR Juries. His research collaborations include 22 research collaboration contracts and 4 ANRS projects. He has presented his work extensively with 91 international conferences, 51 national conferences, and 18 other conferences/popularization events. Professor Chevalier has held leadership positions including Head of the M4OxE team and Director of the PMDM department before becoming Deputy Director of the ICB laboratory.