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Lyesse LalouiView profile

Professor

• Environmental Geomechanics
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Mechanics of Multiphase Porous Materials
• +2 more

Lyesse Laloui is Full Professor and Director of the Soil Mechanics Laboratory at EPFL's School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering. A world-renowned expert in geomechanics and sustainability, his research develops nature-inspired solutions for climate change mitigation and renewable energy adoption. His distinguished career includes ERC Advanced and Proof of Concept Grants, two honoris causa doctorates, and leadership roles in Academia Europaea and International Society of Soil Mechanics. Research focuses on: Thermo-hydro-mechanical behavior of energy geostructures Bio-inspired geotechnical solutions for soil improvement Radioactive waste repository safety CO₂ sequestration caprock integrity Urban underground space utilization Recent publications demonstrate innovations in geothermal metro station design, shale behavior characterization for energy applications, and bio-mediated soil stabilization. His laboratory has supervised over 35 PhD graduates now advancing geotechnical engineering globally. Professor Laloui founded 5 EPFL spin-offs including Enerdrape (Swiss Top 100 startup) and serves as European Director of the International Associated Research Centers for Urban Underground Space. His awards include the ASCE Kersten Lecture and InterPore Kimberly-Clark Distinguished Lectureship.

Nicole ChurchView profile

Research Fellow

• Materials Science
• Metallurgy
• Biomedical Engineering
• +3 more

Nicole Church is a Beatrice Mary Dale Research Fellow at Newnham College and a member of the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre (UTC) in the Department of Materials Science & Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge. She holds an MSci and PhD in Materials Science from Cambridge, where she specialized in titanium alloys. Her research focuses on superelastic and shape-memory titanium alloys for biomedical and aerospace applications, particularly investigating functional fatigue and microstructural degradation mechanisms. She lectures the Fracture and Fatigue course in the Materials Science Part II of the Natural Sciences Tripos. Key achievements include developing a new theory governing transforming alloys and being awarded the IOM3 Prize for her undergraduate research. Her work addresses challenges in alloy design, including optimizing composition and processing to prevent in-service property degradation. Nicole has collaborated with Rolls-Royce UTC on high-temperature structural alloys and solid-state welding processes. Recent research highlights include studies on Ti-Nb-Au alloys for low-modulus biomedical applications, functional fatigue mechanisms in Ti2448 alloys, and microstructural stability in nickel-based superalloys. Her interdisciplinary approach combines advanced characterization techniques like high-energy diffraction and electron microscopy to advance material science solutions.

• Materials Engineering
• Metallurgy
• Solidification Processes
• +5 more

Christopher Gourlay is a Professor of Physical Metallurgy at Imperial College London's Department of Materials, part of the Faculty of Engineering. He has been affiliated with the Engineering Alloys research theme since 2008, specializing in microstructure development during phase transformations in alloys and solders. His research focuses on lightweight magnesium and aluminum alloys, electronic solder joint reliability, and solidification processes. He holds a MEng in Metallurgy from the University of Oxford (2002) and a PhD from the University of Queensland (2007), where his work centered on semi-solid deformation of Al and Mg alloys. He was awarded a RAEng/EPSRC Research Fellowship in 2008. Research interests include solidification microstructure control, intermetallic compound effects in solders, and alloy recyclability. Key projects involve thermal fatigue resistance of solder joints, grain refinement in magnesium alloys, and in-situ imaging of microstructural dynamics. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials (FIMMM) and the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers (FICME), and currently chairs the Electronic Packaging and Interconnection Materials Committee at TMS (USA, 2023–2027). His group employs advanced characterization techniques like synchrotron radiography and FIB-based nanoscale engineering, addressing challenges in electronic materials and sustainable manufacturing processes.

Chien Ming WangView profile

Professor

• Structural stability
• Vibration analysis
• Structural optimization
• +7 more

Professor Chien Ming Wang is the Transport and Main Roads Chair Professor of Structural Engineering at the University of Queensland (UQ) since 2017. He also holds an Adjunct Professor position at Monash University and contributes to the Centre for Marine Science within UQ’s Faculty of Science. Alumnus of the Year 2015, Monash University Chartered Structural Engineer Educational Background : Bachelor of Civil Engineering (First Class Honours), Monash University, 1978 M.Eng.Sc. and Ph.D., Monash University, 1980 & 1982 Research Focus : Pioneering Very Large Floating Structures (VLFS) with applications in floating bridges, oil storage, and aquaculture systems. His work spans structural stability, vibration analysis, optimization of arches, and nonlocal theories for nanostructures. He developed Hencky bar-chain models and Shooting-Optimization Technique for boundary value problems. Scientific Leadership : Authored 500+ journal papers, 6 books, and 4 edited volumes with over 26,000 citations. Led $10M+ in industrial projects including Blue Economy CRC initiatives. Holds multiple patents in floating structures and aquaculture systems. 2019 Nishino Medal 2019 JN Reddy Medal IStructE Singapore Structural Award for Sustainability 2016 Minister of National Development R&D Special Mention 2017 Advising & Collaborations : Supervised 28 PhD and 20 MEng students, including work with NUS , SINTEF , and PolyU . Current projects involve offshore seaweed farms, self-healing concrete, and hybrid timber-cardboard composites.

Jie LiView profile

Professor

• Mineral Physics
• Geochemistry
• Petrology
• +3 more

Jie Li is the Rodney C. Ewing Collegiate Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Michigan. She holds a Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences (Harvard University, 1998) and an M.A. in Geophysics (Harvard University, 1997). Her research focuses on Earth and planetary materials under extreme conditions, leveraging high-pressure techniques like diamond-anvil cells and synchrotron facilities. Key interests include terrestrial planet evolution, core composition, and dynamics of planetary interiors. Recent studies explore light elements in Earth’s core, Mercury’s magnetic field origin, and early Earth crust formation. Her work bridges experimental geochemistry, mineral physics, and computational modeling to understand planetary interiors. Notable contributions include pioneering studies on iron spin states in the lower mantle and the role of metallic melts in mantle dynamics. She collaborates globally, advancing methodologies for high-pressure experiments. Her research has been featured in outlets like Mashable India , highlighting her insights on Earth’s core dynamics and planetary science. Li’s lab emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to unraveling the origins of planetary materials and their evolution over geological time.

Andrew ParnellView profile

Lecturer

• Polymer Physics
• Biophysics
• Soft Matter
• +7 more

Dr. Andrew Parnell is a Lecturer in Soft Matter & Biological Physics at the University of Sheffield's School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences. He holds a PhD from the University of Sheffield (2007) and has held postdoctoral roles in Chemistry and Physics departments there. His research focuses on polymer physics, biophysics, and soft matter systems, with applications in photovoltaics, structural color, and antimicrobial surfaces. He was awarded the IChemE Innovative Product of the Year (2011) for tunable photonic materials and serves as a DPOLY Polymer Exchange Lecturer (2017). His work combines neutron/X-ray scattering with interdisciplinary approaches to study material morphologies and functional designs. Education: MPhys Physics (Sheffield, 2001), MSc Nanoscale Science & Technology (Leeds/Sheffield, 2002), PhD in Polyelectrolyte Brushes (Sheffield, 2007). Professional memberships include the Institute of Physics and IChemE. Research interests span structural color mechanisms in nature, phase separation dynamics in organic electronics, and responsive polymer systems. Key projects include EPSRC-funded studies on coatings technology with AkzoNobel. His lab employs advanced scattering techniques and computational methods to bridge nanoscale structure and macroscopic functionality. Grants: EPSRC Soft Nanotechnology, Prosperity Partnership with AkzoNobel. Awards: IChemE Innovation Award, DPOLY Lectureship.

Thao NguyenView profile

Professor

• Biomechanics
• Polymer Engineering
• Materials Science
• +3 more

Thao (Vicky) Nguyen is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. She is co-Deputy Director of the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute (HEMI). Her research focuses on biomechanics of soft engineering and biological materials, including adaptive polymers, fracture mechanics, and ocular biomechanics related to glaucoma. Key collaborators include the National Eye Institute and National Science Foundation. Nguyen holds a B.S. from MIT (1998), and M.S. and Ph.D. from Stanford (2000, 2004). She previously worked at Sandia National Laboratories. Awards include the James R. Rice Medal (2025), NSF CAREER Award, and multiple ASME honors. Her lab integrates experimental and computational approaches, with notable work on shape-memory polymers and scleral biomechanics. Research interests include collagen growth, liquid crystal elastomers, and architected materials. She leads studies on optic nerve head mechanics, funded by DOD, NEI, and BrightFocus. Nguyen serves on editorial boards for ASME journals and professional societies.

• Computational Materials Science
• Electronic Structure Theory
• High-Entropy Alloys
• +5 more

Stephan Schönecker is a Researcher and Associate Professor (Docent) at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, specializing in computational materials science and electronic structure theory. He holds key administrative roles including Studierektor (since January 2025) and Lokalt skyddsombud (2021–2024). His research focuses on multicomponent alloys, superconductivity, magnetism, and energy materials, with applications in nanotechnology and materials design. His academic background includes a strong foundation in theoretical physics and materials science. Research interests span bulk/interfacial properties of alloys, strain engineering in thin films, and ab initio treatments of magnetism and lattice vibrations. Notable contributions involve predicting novel materials through computational methods and exploring high-entropy alloys for magnetic refrigeration and structural applications. Recent publications highlight advancements in data-driven alloy design, magnetocaloric materials, and the mechanical behavior of refractory alloys. Collaborations with institutions like the Technical University of Denmark and Chinese universities reflect his international research network. His work bridges theoretical predictions with experimental validation, emphasizing both fundamental physics and practical engineering applications. Professional service includes roles in academic governance and union representation (Saco-S styrelseledamot, 2022–2025). His lab focuses on computational modeling and materials informatics, though specific lab names are not explicitly mentioned in the text.

• Nuclear Materials
• Radiation Damage Physics
• Computational Materials Science
• +4 more

Pär Olsson is a Professor in the Department of Nuclear Science & Engineering at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. His research focuses on computational and experimental studies of radiation damage in nuclear materials, with particular emphasis on understanding defect dynamics, microstructural evolution under irradiation, and the behavior of advanced nuclear fuels. He leads courses such as Multiscale Modeling of Nuclear Materials and Radiation Damage Physics, emphasizing both theoretical and practical aspects of materials science in nuclear contexts. His research interests include the development of advanced accident-tolerant fuels (e.g., UN-UO2 composites), the computational modeling of radiation effects in metals like Fe and W, and the interplay between solute atoms and defects in irradiated materials. His work combines first-principles calculations, kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, and experimental validation to address challenges in nuclear energy systems. Notable contributions include studies on fission product solubility in nuclear fuels, oxygen’s role in tungsten defect evolution, and the thermal performance of UN-based composites. His team’s projects, such as the M4F initiative (Multiscale Modelling for Fusion and Fission Materials), aim to bridge atomistic and continuum-scale models for material design. Pär Olsson collaborates extensively with international institutions and contributes to nuclear materials education through course coordination and supervision of graduate studies in physics and materials science.

• Scientific Computing
• Computational Fluid Dynamics
• Finite Element Methods
• +3 more

Johan Jansson is an Associate Professor in Scientific Computing at KTH Royal Institute of Technology and BCAM (Basque Center for Applied Mathematics). He leads research in predictive Direct FEM Simulation (DFS) for aerodynamics and multiphase flows, and co-founded Icarus Digital Math as CEO. His work includes the FEniCS open-source finite element software project and MOOC-HPFEM educational initiatives. He holds roles as Director of the Center for Digital Math and collaborates internationally in computational science. Research focuses on high-performance computing (HPC), fluid-structure interaction (FSI), biomedical modeling, and renewable energy systems. Notable contributions include adaptive FEM frameworks for turbulent flow, vocal fold simulations, and wave energy converter modeling. His work bridges academic research with industrial applications, leveraging FEniCS-HPC and Unicorn solvers. Key achievements include election to the IVA Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences 100-list and securing the Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence Award. He has pioneered open-source tools like SimTek and contributed to major projects like the Salter Sink and vocal production modeling. Teaching responsibilities include courses on database technology, computational fluid mechanics, and research methodology. He actively engages in large-scale simulation projects involving marine energy, cardiac ablation protocols, and aerodynamic optimization.

Yuxiao ZhouView profile

Assistant Professor

• Implantable device design
• Surgery planning
• Bone disease diagnosis
• +4 more

Dr. Yuxiao Zhou is an Assistant Professor in the J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, with an affiliation to the School of Engineering Medicine. His research focuses on multi-scale musculoskeletal biomechanics, addressing challenges in aging, bone disease, and injury through implantable device design, computational modeling, and medical imaging. He holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University (2020), an M.S. from Rutgers University (2015), and a B.S. from Harbin Institute of Technology (2012). Research interests include biomechanical analysis of bone-implant interactions, bone regeneration mechanisms, and mechanobiology. Dr. Zhou's lab develops patient-specific biomedical devices and computational tools for surgery planning and disease diagnosis. His work integrates advanced imaging techniques like micro-CT and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study bone mechanics across scales. Key awards include the Maryland Stem Cell Research Fund Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021) and the C. Norwood Wherry Memorial Graduate Fellowship (2020). His research has led to innovations in bone implant design, osteoporosis treatment strategies, and tissue engineering scaffolds. Recent publications explore topics like mineralization processes in tooth development and wireless microfluidic systems for dental implants. Dr. Zhou collaborates on grants related to biomechanical modeling and medical device development. His lab emphasizes translational research, aiming to bridge engineering and clinical applications. Ongoing projects include 3D-printed oxygen-releasing scaffolds for bone regeneration and aerogel-based solutions for bone cement interfaces.

• Fluid Dynamics
• Rheology
• Multiphase Systems
• +6 more

Mostafa Barigou is a Professor of Chemical Engineering and Head of Postgraduate Studies (Research) at the School of Chemical Engineering, University of Birmingham. He holds a BEng (1st Class Honours) in Mechanical Engineering (1982), PhD in Chemical Engineering (1987), and DSc in Experimental and theoretical studies of complex flows and complex fluids (2011). His research focuses on fluid dynamics, rheology, and transport processes in complex fluids, leveraging advanced techniques like Positron Emission Particle Tracking (PEPT), CFD, and PIV. Professor Barigou has supervised over 20 PhD students and 10 postdoctoral researchers, contributing to industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and metallurgy. His work has been funded by UK Research Councils and industry partners like Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, and Johnson Matthey. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (FIMechE) and a Chartered Engineer (CEng). Research interests include: complex fluid dynamics, multiphase systems, foam and emulsion stability, and CFD modeling. His lab uses PEPT to study opaque systems, developing novel insights into mixing and flow dynamics. Collaborations span biomedical engineering (e.g., blood flow studies) and food engineering (e.g., mycoprotein pastes). Awards include the Elijah-Hepworth Memorial Prize (1982) and leadership roles in EPSRC grants. He edits journals like the International Journal of Food Properties and serves on national/international committees for chemical engineering and food engineering.

Marcel A. J. SomersView profile

Professor

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Physical Metallurgy
• Heat Treatment
• +7 more

Marcel A. J. Somers is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), specializing in Materials and Surface Engineering. He holds a Dr. degree from Delft University of Technology and has been a full professor at DTU since 1997. He established and led an internationally recognized research section in Materials Science and Engineering from 2000 to 2020. His research focuses on physical metallurgy , surface engineering , heat treatment , and materials characterization , with a strong emphasis on gas-metal interactions and microstructure analysis. His work bridges fundamental science and industrial application, particularly in stainless steels, titanium alloys, and advanced thermochemical processing. The most recent publications highlight trends in expanded austenite modeling , stacking fault energy in high-entropy alloys , and ultrafine-grained martensitic steels , reflecting his sustained leadership in computational and experimental metallurgy. Scientific Awards: Brandsma Prize (1989) ASM European Lecturer (1999/2000) Reinholdt W. Jorck Prize (2001) DTU Innovation Prize (2007) Alexander Foss Gold Medal (2014) Fellow of ASM International (2016) IFHTSE Medal (2019) Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog (2022) Advising and Grants: He has supervised multiple PhD students, including Felix Grüner and B. Ali. He is Principal Investigator (PI) or co-PI on several major projects, such as Green Steel UG (2024–2029) and Surface engineering of titanium alloys for biomedical applications . He previously chaired the Danish Research Council for Technology and Production Sciences (2007–2009). Labs and Teams: He was instrumental in establishing DTU’s Centre for Electron Nanoscopy and led the scientific framework for the Danish Hydrocarbon Research and Technology Centre. His research group at DTU is a leading center in thermochemical surface engineering and microstructure analysis.

Somnath GhoshView profile

Professor

• Computational Mechanics
• Multiscale Modeling
• Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME)
• +6 more

Somnath Ghosh is the Michael G. Callas Chair Professor at Johns Hopkins University, holding joint appointments in the Departments of Civil & Systems Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Materials Science & Engineering. He directs the Computational Mechanics Research Laboratory (CMRL) and founded the Center for Integrated Structure-Materials Modeling and Simulations (CISMMS). His research focuses on multiscale computational mechanics, materials science, and integrated computational materials engineering (ICME). Key areas include additive manufacturing, fatigue and fracture mechanics, machine learning, and uncertainty quantification. Education includes a B.Tech. from IIT Kharagpur, M.S. from Cornell University, and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Ghosh has led major initiatives like NASA’s Space Technology Research Institute for Additive Manufacturing (IMQCAM) and the Air Force-funded Center of Excellence in Integrated Materials Modeling (CEIMM). He has authored over 300 peer-reviewed publications, three books, and is a Fellow of multiple societies, including the AAAS, ASME, and TMS. Award highlights include the Theodore von Karman Medal (2025), J.N. Reddy Medal (2024), and Nathan M. Newmark Medal (2013). His work bridges theory and industry applications in aerospace, automotive, and defense sectors. Labs under his leadership (CMRL and CISMMS) develop digital twins and advanced modeling tools for materials qualification and design.

• Laser Physics
• Nonlinear Optics
• Fiber Lasers
• +5 more

Irina T. Sorokina is a Professor of Physics and the head of the Laser Physics Group at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Her research focuses on ultrafast laser technology, nonlinear optics, and mid-infrared laser applications. She has pioneered advancements in solid-state lasers, femtosecond pulse generation, and mid-IR laser applications in sensing, materials processing, and quantum computing. Prof. Sorokina is a Fellow of the Optical Society of America (2006) and recipient of the IEE Snell Premium Award (2004). She co-founded ATLA Lasers AS, an NTNU spin-off company. Her research interests include femtosecond laser writing, mid-IR laser development, and applications in materials processing, spectroscopy, and quantum technologies. Recent work explores ultrafast laser modification of silicon and ZnS crystals, energy scaling of mid-IR oscillators, and dissipative soliton dynamics. Key contributions include advancements in chirped-pulse amplifiers, subsurface material processing, and frequency comb generation. Awards: Fellow of OSA (2006), IEE Snell Premium Award (2004) Lab/Group: Laser Physics Group at NTNU Spin-off: Co-founder of ATLA Lasers AS Publications emphasize mid-IR laser systems, ultrafast processing techniques, and interdisciplinary applications spanning from quantum sensors to industrial manufacturing.