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Peter Van Puyvelde is a Full Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Sciences, where he leads research at the Soft Matter, Rheology and Technology (SMaRT) unit within the Department of Chemical Engineering. He is an active member of the Applied Rheology and Plastics Processing Division and the Leuven.AM Institute for Additive Manufacturing. His academic responsibilities include membership in the Faculty Council of Engineering Sciences and departmental committees. His core research focuses on: Polymer processing and complex fluid dynamics In-situ characterization of flow-microstructure relationships Flow-induced crystallization phenomena Development of sustainable polymer materials Additive manufacturing technologies Professor Van Puyvelde's recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate strong emphasis on sustainable polymer systems including lignin-based materials, humins valorization, bioplastics, and green additives. His work frequently employs advanced characterization techniques like fast-scanning calorimetry and synchrotron X-ray scattering to study crystallization kinetics and microstructure development in complex polymer systems. He currently supervises PhD students working on nanofiltration membranes and reinforced polymer parts. His extensive research portfolio includes leadership roles in multiple ongoing projects: Polylactic acid bioplastics development (Co-promoter) Lignin-based flame retardants (Co-promoter) Humins valorization for functional polymers (Co-promoter) Ionic liquids for enhanced oil recovery (Promoter) Competition between crystallization and crosslinking (Promoter) Additive manufacturing of polymer composites (Co-promoter)

• Polymer Processing
• Complex Fluids
• Flow-Induced Crystallization
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Jozef Vleugels is a full Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Sciences, where he serves as Department Head of Functional Materials (SIEM) within the Department of Materials Science. He is also Chairman of the Leuven Centre for Materials and serves as contact person for the Functional Materials research unit located at Castle Park Arenberg 44 in Leuven. His research focuses on advanced materials processing, particularly in ceramics, powder metallurgy, and additive manufacturing. Vleugels has extensive expertise in zirconia-based dental biomaterials, nuclear materials, and refractory ceramics. His work integrates traditional ceramic processing techniques with cutting-edge additive manufacturing technologies, including direct ink writing (DIW) and binder jetting for complex geometries. His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on dental applications of zirconia ceramics, laser surface modification techniques, microwave processing, and high-entropy carbide systems. His research group is actively involved in numerous EU and national projects related to additive manufacturing of multi-material components, nuclear applications, and dental biomaterials. Prof. Vleugels teaches several courses including Ceramics and Powder Metallurgy, Advanced Ceramic Materials, and project-based courses in materials science. He supervises numerous doctoral candidates and collaborates extensively with industry partners on applied research projects. He is an active member of multiple research networks including the Materials Science Division, KIEM – KU Leuven Institute for Energy and Society, and Leuven.AM – KU Leuven Institute for Additive Manufacturing. He also serves on various faculty and departmental councils including the Faculty Council of Engineering Sciences and the Departmental Council of Materials Science.

• Materials Science
• Ceramics
• Powder Metallurgy
• +6 more

Tegoeh Tjahjowidodo is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Industrial Engineering Sciences , KU Leuven , affiliated with the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Manufacturing Processes and Systems (MaPS) unit at Campus De Nayer. He serves as Head of Education for Electromechanics programs and leads Subdivision 17 at the campus. Research Areas: Additive Manufacturing (Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing), Process Monitoring, Control Systems, Laser Micromanufacturing, Wear Analysis, Robotics, and Condition Monitoring. Publication Trends: Focus on in-situ monitoring of laser micromanufacturing, machine learning for abrasive belt grinding, WAAM parameter optimization , and multi-sensor fusion for process control. Scientific Contributions: Co-promotor for MultiTRIBO (tribology), Promotor for WAAM structural integrity and pedicle screw surgical simulators . Active in international collaborations (e.g., 25th International Symposium on Laser Precision Microfabrication, Spain 2024).

• Additive Manufacturing
• Process Monitoring
• Control Systems
• +6 more

Ruben Snellings is a Professor at the KU Leuven , affiliated with the Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals and the Division of Geology . His research focuses on sustainable cementitious materials, mineral carbonation, and valorization of industrial by-products in construction. He actively contributes to RILEM technical committees, including TC 309-MCP and TC 267-TRM, establishing terminology and testing protocols for carbonation-based construction products. Research Highlights Advancing low-carbon binders through co-calcination of waste materials Investigating hydration kinetics and reactivity of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) Developing CO2 mineralization techniques for sustainable construction Technical Contributions Co-developing standardized R3 reactivity tests for SCMs Leading interlaboratory validation studies for binder performance Environmental Focus Reducing environmental leaching via carbonation of metallurgical slags Optimizing circular economy approaches for concrete recycling

• Sustainable Metals and Minerals
• Cementitious Materials
• Mineral Carbonation
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Dr. Krishna Kumar Saxena is a faculty member at KU Leuven, affiliated with the Research and Education - Materials and Mechanical Engineering (Geel Campus) and the Manufacturing Processes and Systems (MaPS) unit in the Arenberg campus. He is actively involved in research, teaching, and engagement, with a focus on non-conventional micromachining processes and hybrid manufacturing technologies. Research Interests: Non-conventional micromachining (ECM, EDM, laser), hybrid laser-electrochemical processes, electrochemical nano-manufacturing, simulation-based virtual sensing, and sustainable manufacturing systems. Teaching: Contributes to courses on smart mechanics and industrial control systems. Engagement: Participates in EU Horizon 2020 projects (MICROMAN, ProSurf), FWO-funded postdoctoral research (2021-2024), and international collaborations (University of Tokyo, NSFC mobility projects).

• Micromanufacturing
• Non-conventional Machining
• Electrochemical Machining (ECM)
• +7 more

Houman Zahedmanesh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Science. His work focuses on electromigration reliability in nano-interconnects, leveraging machine learning and AI to address thermal hotspots in semiconductor systems. He leads projects like the 2025-2029 BEOL thermal management initiative and contributes to computational materials science research. Current Affiliation: KU Leuven, Faculty of Engineering Science Department: Mechanical Engineering Research Focus: Electromigration, nano-interconnect reliability, AI-driven materials analysis Research Interests: Dr. Zahedmanesh's research bridges materials science and electrical engineering, with emphasis on: Electromigration-induced failure in copper interconnects Thermal gradient effects on electronic reliability Machine learning applications for predictive material modeling Microstructure-aware simulations in nanotechnology Hybrid physical-statistical frameworks for semiconductor reliability Publication Trends: Recent works demonstrate his expertise in AI-driven materials analysis (2025), microstructure modeling (2024), and multiphysics simulations of electromigration (2023). His research aligns with KU Leuven's focus on computational materials science and nanotechnology.

• Electromigration
• Nano-interconnect reliability
• Machine learning for materials science
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Reza Talemi is a Professor and Head of the Elooi Research Laboratory within the SCALINT Division at the Department of Materials Engineering (MTM), Faculty of Engineering Technology, KU Leuven, Belgium. His research focuses on structural integrity of materials fabricated through advanced manufacturing techniques, with particular expertise in impact dynamics, fracture mechanics, and fatigue analysis of metallic materials. His educational background shows extensive specialization in materials science and engineering, with research focusing on structural integrity assessment of advanced materials. His work bridges experimental and numerical approaches to understand material behavior under various loading conditions. Talemi's research interests span structural integrity of advanced materials, tribo-mechanical fracture, innovative testing methods for material behavior assessment, and advanced numerical modeling of material failure. His work has significant applications in aerospace, energy, and manufacturing sectors where material integrity is critical for safety and performance. His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on additive manufacturing technologies, particularly examining fretting fatigue behavior of additively manufactured components, residual stress characterization, and microstructural analysis. The research shows consistent advancement in understanding how advanced manufacturing processes affect material properties and structural performance. Among his notable contributions are development of specialized testing apparatus for evaluating material performance in dovetail joint configurations, advanced numerical modeling techniques for predicting material behavior, and innovative approaches to characterize material integrity under complex loading conditions. Professor Talemi actively supervises numerous PhD students and leads multiple research projects, including 'Precise advanced material processing via controlled fatigue fracture' and 'Hybrid Experimental and Numerical Framework for Monitoring Structural Integrity in Aerospace Structures,' demonstrating his leadership in both academic and applied research domains.

• Structural integrity of materials
• Advanced manufacturing techniques
• Fracture mechanics
• +7 more

Prof. Jan De Beenhouwer is a faculty member at the University of Antwerp, affiliated with the Department of Physics and the imec Vision Lab. His research focuses on advanced computational imaging techniques, particularly in X-ray tomography, phase contrast imaging, and reconstruction algorithms for medical and industrial applications. His primary research interests include: Development of novel X-ray imaging methodologies like edge illumination phase contrast Advanced CT reconstruction algorithms for sparse-view and dynamic systems Integration of deep learning with tomographic reconstruction Industrial applications including defect detection and material characterization Biomedical imaging such as bone structure analysis and tissue modeling Analysis of recent publications (2024-2025) reveals strong emphasis on: Innovations in phase contrast imaging hardware and simulation tools Advanced reconstruction techniques for motion compensation and sparse data AI-powered approaches for industrial inspection and biomedical research Development of open-source tools (CAD-ASTRA) for the tomography community He leads research at imec Vision Lab, focusing on both fundamental imaging physics and practical applications. The lab collaborates extensively with industrial partners on non-destructive testing solutions.

• X-ray Imaging
• Computed Tomography
• Image Processing
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Julien Colaux is a Researcher at the University of Namur (UNamur), affiliated with the Namur Institute of Structured Matter (NISM). He holds a Doctor of Science (2009) from UNamur, specializing in carbon nitride synthesis via ion implantation. His roles include Co-Principal Investigator in projects like PHOENIX (2024-2029) and NEP (2021-2026), focusing on materials science and nuclear physics applications. Colaux has extensive experience in ion implantation, thin film deposition (e.g., magnetron sputtering), and material characterization techniques like XPS and RBS. His research bridges nuclear reactions, environmental geochemistry, and biomedical applications of nanoparticles. He collaborates internationally, including as a Liaison Fellow at the University of Surrey (2012-2015). Key projects include cross-sectional studies of nuclear reactions, nanostructure fabrication for solid targets, and environmental impact analysis of mineral oxidation. His work spans over 50 peer-reviewed articles and datasets, notably on optical coatings, proton dosimetry, and dinosaur feather preservation. Colaux manages the Synthesis, Irradiation and Analysis of Materials (SIAM) platform, enabling advanced material research. His activities include organizing conferences like IBAF 2024 and participation in interdisciplinary initiatives linking physics, chemistry, and environmental science.

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Thin Film Deposition
• +3 more

Jan Sijbers is a Full Professor at the University of Antwerp , affiliated with the Department of Physics . He serves as Spokesperson of the imec-Vision Lab and is a co-founder of spin-offs IcoMetrix and Deltaray . His academic role includes a 10% position as Research Director at imec. Research Interests: Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Tomographic Image Reconstruction, Medical Imaging Algorithms Editorial Roles: Senior Area Editor (IEEE Transactions on Image Processing), Associated Editor (IEEE Transactions on Computational Imaging) Teaching: Courses in Physics, Mathematics, Signal/Image Processing, and X-ray Microtomography Research Trends: His 2025 publications focus on X-ray phase contrast imaging, zebrafish models for bone disease, mesh-based CT reconstruction, and AI-driven biomedical imaging. Earlier works emphasize statistical signal processing in MRI and discrete tomography algorithms. PhD Advisees: He has supervised 68 PhD theses since 2004, with recent topics spanning edge illumination X-ray imaging, 3D knee morphology, and advanced MRI relaxometry. Laboratory Leadership: As head of imec-Vision Lab, he leads research in computational imaging, with applications in medical diagnostics and industrial X-ray systems.

• Image Reconstruction
• Medical Imaging
• Quantitative MRI
• +3 more

Jürgen Van Erps is a Professor at the Department of Applied Physics and Photonics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel. He specializes in Freeform Optics Manufacturing, Laser-Based Micromachining, and 3D Nanoprinting. His research also covers Applied Photonics Innovation and Non-Linear Integrated Photonics. As core lab manager of B-PHOT within Flanders Make, he collaborates extensively with industry on photonics projects. Education: PhD in Photonics Engineering (2008), Vrije Universiteit Brussel; MSc in Electrotechnical Engineering (2003), same institution. Key awards include the BARCO Prize for Master Thesis (2003), Barco Prize for Scientific Research (2008), and multiple Best Student Networking Awards (2006-2007). Recent research focuses on advanced optical fabrication techniques, including 3D nanoprinting of metalenses and LiDAR optics. He has supervised numerous master's theses in photonics and nanotechnology.

• Freeform Optics Manufacturing
• Laser-Based Micromachining
• 3D Nanoprinting
• +3 more

Sina Nazarionlaghi is a postdoctoral researcher at KU Leuven holding a scholarship in the Structural Composites and Alloys, Integrity and Nondestructive Testing (SCALINT) research group, based at the Arenberg campus in Leuven. His work centers on advanced materials characterization and computational modeling within the university's engineering research ecosystem. His research spans crystal plasticity modeling for deformation analysis in metals, mechanics of materials focusing on fracture behavior under extreme conditions, and additive manufacturing processes including LPBF of stainless steels. He integrates experimental techniques like digital image correlation (DIC) with computational simulations to investigate microstructural evolution, leveraging in-situ testing methodologies for real-time observation of material responses. Recent publications reveal a consistent focus on high-temperature material performance, particularly in magnesium production infrastructure where steel retort tubes experience creep deformation and oxidation. His work bridges fundamental crystal plasticity studies in additively manufactured alloys with practical industrial failure analysis, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary connections between computational mechanics and experimental materials engineering. As part of SCALINT, Nazarionlaghi contributes to KU Leuven's materials research infrastructure specializing in structural integrity assessment, nondestructive testing, and alloy development. The group addresses critical challenges in aerospace, energy, and manufacturing sectors through combined experimental-computational approaches to material failure prediction and prevention.

• Crystal plasticity
• Mechanics of materials
• Additive manufacturing

Reynier Inocente Revilla Castillo is a postdoctoral researcher in Sustainable Materials Engineering, specializing in corrosion mechanisms of additively manufactured materials. His work focuses on understanding microstructural effects on corrosion resistance, particularly in stainless steels and nickel-based alloys. He has contributed to projects such as EUOA2 (Open Corrosion Data for Additively Manufactured Alloys) and collaborated on AFM-based nanobiotechnology platforms (HERC52/OZR3564/OZR3587). His research integrates electrochemical analysis, microstructural characterization, and materials engineering to address challenges in corrosion mitigation and material durability. He has presented findings at international conferences, including discussions on lithium-ion battery characterization via Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy. Primary affiliations: Sustainable Materials Engineering Department Key technical areas: Pitting corrosion, passivity mechanisms, additive manufacturing repair, and microstructural analysis Recent studies investigate carbon variation effects in Alloy 718 and heat treatment impacts on 316L stainless steel. His work aligns with EU-funded initiatives promoting open corrosion data and durable materials innovation.

• Corrosion Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing
• Material Microstructure
• +3 more

Brecht Van Hooreweder is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Engineering Sciences , KU Leuven , and serves as Director of the KU Leuven Institute for Additive Manufacturing (Leuven.AM) . His research focuses on advanced laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) techniques for metals, ceramics, and polymers, with an emphasis on surface quality, fatigue performance, and multi-functional applications. Research Areas Van Hooreweder specializes in: Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Mechanical properties of AM materials Laser-based process optimization Metal lattice structures for aerospace and biomedical applications Surface roughness and fatigue life enhancement Scientific Contributions His recent publications address challenges in: Improving surface quality via dual-laser systems Multi-scale fatigue analysis of Ti-6Al-4V and 316L stainless steel Computational models for melt pool dynamics Thermal management in copper heat exchangers

• Additive Manufacturing
• 3D Printing
• Mechanical Engineering
• +4 more

Jan Ivens is a full Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Industrial Engineering Sciences, where he serves as vice-chair of the Department of Materials Science. He holds dual appointments at both the main Leuven campus (Arenberg) and Campus De Nayer in Sint-Katelijne-Waver, where he acts as contact person for Structural Materials (SCALINT) and subdivision head of Subdivision 13. He is also a member of Leuven.AM – KU Leuven Institute for Additive Manufacturing. His research focuses on composite materials, particularly resin transfer moulding, vacuum infusion, shape memory polymer composites, and processing of natural fiber composites. Dr. Ivens leads and co-leads numerous research projects related to composite materials, sustainable manufacturing, and hydrogen storage solutions, with several projects extending to 2028. His work spans from fundamental material characterization to industrial applications, with a strong emphasis on sustainable composite solutions using natural fibers and recycling approaches. His recent publications demonstrate expertise in thermal modeling of composite processes, fatigue behavior of natural fiber composites, permeability measurements for liquid composite molding, and topology optimization of composite structures. These works reflect current trends in composite research focusing on sustainability, process optimization, and advanced manufacturing techniques for next-generation composite materials. As an educator, he teaches various courses related to materials engineering, lightweight materials, composites manufacturing, and aircraft materials at both undergraduate and graduate levels. His teaching portfolio includes courses such as 'Materials engineering for design and manufacturing,' 'Lightweight Materials for Transport Applications,' and 'Composites Manufacturing.' Dr. Ivens is actively involved in university governance as a member of the Assessment Committee of the Faculty of Industrial Engineering Sciences, the Faculty Board of Industrial Engineering Sciences, and the Departmental Board of Materials Science, where he serves as vice-chair.

• Composite Materials
• Natural Fiber Composites
• Resin Transfer Moulding
• +5 more