Leon Shpanin is a Senior Lecturer in Electronic and Electrical Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University, where he serves as Course Leader for MSc Automation Control and Robotics. He holds an MSc in Radio Frequency Engineering and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Liverpool. His research focuses on electrical engineering applications including renewable energy systems, HVDC circuit interruptions, and electromagnetic techniques for current interruption. He received the RAEng Award (2020) for developing next-generation circuit breakers for rail networks. Key projects: Development of Novel Energy Efficient Magnetic Scroll Air Motor (EPSRC) Smart control of multirotor drone propellers for vibration energy harvesting
Dr. Bhavna Sharma is an Associate Professor and Director of the Chase L. Leavitt Master of Building Science Program at the USC School of Architecture. Her work focuses on decarbonization, bio-based materials innovation, and sustainable healthcare infrastructure. She leads the Keck USC Sustainable Healthcare Initiative (KUSHI) to advance environmentally conscious healthcare systems. Dr. Sharma holds a Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, with additional degrees in Art History and Architecture. Her research spans structural systems optimization from material harvesting to building-scale applications, emphasizing bio-composites like bamboo and timber. She co-chairs USC's Presidential Working Group on Sustainability, contributing to Assignment: Earth climate goals. Courses taught include seismic design, structural systems, and building science integration. Key research areas include lifecycle assessment in healthcare, seismic-resistant designs, and interdisciplinary standards for non-conventional materials. Her work bridges material science, architectural practice, and policy to address global sustainability challenges.
Hans Irschik is a Full Professor and Head of the Institute of Technical Mechanics at Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Austria. He has held key academic roles, including Vice-Rector for Research (1995-2001) and Chair of the Senate (2009-2013) at JKU, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of Acta Mechanica . His work bridges structural mechanics, mechatronics, and control systems. Education: Studied Civil Engineering at Vienna University of Technology, earned Doctor of Technical Sciences (1981) and Habilitation in Mechanics (1986). Research interests include structural control, continuum mechanics, and smart materials. His contributions span theoretical developments and applied control strategies for aging structures. Recent articles focus on Lagrangian formulations, piezoelectric sensors, and beam theories, reflecting his expertise in mechanics and structural health monitoring. Scientific Awards & Memberships: Full Member, Austrian Academy of Sciences (since 2011) Honorary Doctorate, St. Petersburg Polytechnical University (2009) President, European Association of Structural Control and Health Monitoring (2008-2012) Fellow, Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (2006) City of Vienna Award (1988) Kardinal Innitzer-Award (1988) Grants & Projects: Led Austrian Science Fund (FWF) research since 1993. Key researcher in the K2-Austrian Center of Competence in Mechatronics (since 2001). Participated in EUROMECH committees and European Science Foundation programs.
Prof. Ioannis Anastasopoulos is a Full Professor and Head of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at ETH Zurich. He leads the Chair of Geotechnical Engineering, focusing on advanced geotechnical modeling, seismic resilience, and infrastructure systems. His research integrates experimental and numerical methods to address challenges in tunnel engineering, offshore foundations, and seismic protection. Key research areas include seismic response of geotechnical structures, soil-structure interaction, metamaterial-based vibration mitigation, and innovative foundation technologies. He directs the Geotechnical Centrifuge Center and Soil Testing Laboratories at ETH Zurich, advancing physical modeling and material characterization. Recent work emphasizes earthquake engineering applications, including fault rupture interactions with tunnels, pile group dynamics under combined loading, and hybrid modeling of scour effects on bridge foundations. His contributions span geotechnical design methodologies, nuclear facility safety, and additive manufacturing for masonry structures. Prof. Anastasopoulos collaborates internationally on projects like the GEOLAB initiative, advancing Europe's geotechnical physical modeling infrastructure. His teaching includes courses on geotechnical design and theoretical soil mechanics, bridging academic research with practical engineering solutions.
Ioannis Antoniadis is a Professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering , National Technical University of Athens (NTUA), and serves as the Dean and Director of the Dynamics and Acoustics Laboratory (DAL) . He has held academic positions since 1982, rising through the ranks from Scientific Research Assistant to full Professor since 2012. Education: Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (NTUA, 1981), Ph.D. (NTUA, 1987) Research Focus: Vibration isolation, negative stiffness systems, smart materials, seismic protection, and energy conversion Key Projects: 25+ funded research initiatives including KDamper for seismic mitigation, TRANVIC for vehicle vibration control, and 3BUILD for 3D-printing construction systems His work has resulted in 15+ peer-reviewed publications on seismic protection devices and vibration control systems, with applications in bridges, wind turbines, and industrial equipment. He has taught courses in Dynamics and Vibrations , Noise Vibration , and Signal Processing at NTUA, while leading the Mechanical Design and Automatic Control Section .
Martin Berggren is a Professor at the Department of Computing Science , Umeå University , Sweden. His work focuses on Computational Design Optimization , combining computer simulations and numerical optimization to enhance engineering designs for devices like antennas, microwave components, and loudspeakers. Berggren is also active in mathematical modeling of physical phenomena, particularly wave propagation and fluid mechanics, with a strong emphasis on finite-element methods . His research addresses large-scale conceptual design problems using thousands to millions of design variables, relying on gradient-based algorithms and adjoint-based computations of design sensitivities—similar to back-propagation in deep learning. Key application areas include acoustic and electromagnetic devices, where he investigates damping mechanisms, boundary conditions, and material distribution. Other interests, though less active, involve flow control and unsteady fluid–structure interaction . Berggren collaborates extensively on projects such as Structured Regularization , Topology Optimization of Acoustic Black Holes , and Design of Microstrip-to-Waveguide Transitions . His publications span journals like Journal of Computational Physics , Pattern Analysis and Applications , and IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation , often co-authored with researchers like Linus Hägg , Eddie Wadbro , and Disi Lin .
Chris Fuller, Ph.D., is the Samuel Langley Distinguished Professor of Engineering at the College of Engineering , Virginia Tech. He leads the Vibrations and Acoustics Laboratory (VAL) , focusing on active/passive noise control systems, metamaterials, and their application to aerospace, medical devices, and industrial machinery. Education: Ph.D. (1979) and B.E. (1974) from the University of Adelaide, Australia. Research Interests: Structural acoustics, adaptive materials, machine learning in noise prediction, and biomedical acoustics (e.g., neonatal incubators). Awards: ASME Rayleigh Award (2017), NASA Team Achievement Award (1996), and Fellow of the Acoustical Society of America. Recent Publications: Highlight advancements in drone noise reduction using neural networks, metamaterials for HVAC systems, and poro-elastic materials for low-frequency noise control.
Silas Alben is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics at the University of Michigan, affiliated with the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. His research focuses on applied mathematics and mathematical biology, particularly fluid-structure interactions in biological systems. He employs computational simulations and laboratory experiments to study fundamental physics of flexible bodies in fluids. Research interests include biomechanics of swimming organisms, vortex dynamics in fluid-structure interactions, and thermal transport optimization. His work bridges mathematical modeling with experimental validation to understand complex physical phenomena. Publications demonstrate strong focus on fluid dynamics applications, including vortex-enhanced heat transfer, membrane flutter dynamics, and bio-inspired locomotion. Recurring themes include optimization of fluid-structure systems, vortex wake interactions, and computational methods for aeroelastic problems.
Andrew S. Whittaker is a SUNY Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York . He serves as Director of the Institute of Bridge Engineering and Interim Director of the Stephen Still Institute for Sustainable Transportation and Logistics , both within the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences . A registered Civil and Structural Engineer in California, Whittaker specializes in structural and earthquake engineering, bridge engineering, blast and impact engineering, performance-based engineering, and nuclear structures. Research Interests: His work focuses on seismic isolation systems for nuclear reactors, fluid-structure interaction in advanced reactor vessels, gamma radiation effects on materials, and the dynamic behavior of graphite blocks in high-temperature gas reactors (HTGRs). He also explores the commodification of microreactors and soil-structure interaction for seismically isolated facilities. Scientific Awards: Distinguished Member, American Society of Civil Engineers (2025) Untermyer & Cisler Reactor Technology Medal (2023) Nathan M. Newmark Medal (2023) Fellow of multiple societies (ASCE, SEI, ACI) Awards and grants highlight his leadership in nuclear safety, seismic engineering, and reactor design.
Dr. Christopher Morton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University, specializing in fluid-structure interaction, UAV technology, and energy systems. His research focuses on aerodynamics, flow control, and sustainable energy solutions, with applications in aerospace and environmental engineering. Education background includes a BASc in Mechatronics Engineering (University of Waterloo, 2008), MASc (2010), and Ph.D. (2014) in Mechanical Engineering from the same institution. His work bridges experimental and computational methods, particularly in flow estimation and control using advanced diagnostics like PIV and spectral analysis. His research interests span vortex-induced vibrations (VIV), unsteady aerodynamics, and energy harvesting through fluid-structure interactions. Recent publications highlight innovations in flow field reconstruction, sensor-based monitoring, and turbulence control. His work has been recognized through awards such as the Departmental Research Excellence Award (2021-2022) and multiple teaching accolades, reflecting his dedication to both research and education. Dr. Morton currently teaches MECH ENG 4FM3 (Advanced Instrumentation for Thermo-Fluids) and MECH ENG 723 (Flow Induced Vibrations), emphasizing hands-on experimental techniques and theoretical analysis. He actively supervises graduate students and collaborates with industry partners like Atlantis Research Labs and Plains Midstream Canada. Key Research Clusters: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing, Digital & Smart Systems, Energy, and Environment. Teaching Excellence: Awarded “Professor of the Year” multiple times and recognized for outstanding teaching performance.
Inigo Flores Ituarte is a Research Professor at Tampere University's Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, affiliated with the Automation Technology and Mechanical Engineering department. He leads the Digital Design and Manufacturing (D2M) research lab, focusing on sustainable manufacturing and twin-transition strategies integrating digital and green technologies. His work emphasizes optimization-driven design, additive manufacturing innovations, and AI-driven expert systems to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. Key research pillars include: Pillar 1: Twin-transition in Engineering Design and Manufacturing Processes, addressing sustainable manufacturing and intelligent systems Pillar 2: Development of open D2M systems and Process-Structure-Property-Performance (PSPP) linkages in advanced materials His research explores multi-disciplinary optimization combining model-based simulations and data-driven techniques. Notable contributions include generative AI integration in CAD systems, cognitive manufacturing systems, and cost-effective process monitoring using CNN-based methods. Inigo's work emphasizes environmental sustainability, with a focus on reducing manufacturing's energy consumption (54% of global use) and CO2 emissions. He advocates for interconnected material systems, smart manufacturing processes, and AI-assisted decision-making to achieve cognitive intelligence in industrial operations. His D2M lab's overarching goal is to maximize product/process performance while improving cost-effectiveness and minimizing environmental footprints. Recent projects include railway bogie demonstrators via multi-material deposition and sensor systems leveraging IoT and ChatGPT integration.
Dr. Christian Jaeger is a Researcher at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) School of Engineering, focusing on Machine Learning in Optimal Control for Industry. His work bridges engineering and computer science with applications in industrial automation and building systems. His research interests span Machine Learning , Optimal Control , Reinforcement Learning , Energy Management Systems , and Industrial Automation . Jaeger has led multiple research projects including a preliminary study on automated IBN heat pumps and a feasibility study on Reinforcement Learning Control for heating systems. His work demonstrates a clear trajectory from traditional manufacturing technology toward contemporary AI-driven control systems. Jaeger's publication record shows consistent output from 2005 to 2024, with recent focus on energy optimization in building control using reinforcement learning, 3D printing techniques, and model predictive control. His research demonstrates strong interdisciplinary connections between computer science, engineering, and practical industrial applications. His scientific contributions include publications in journals such as Applied Sciences and the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society, along with numerous conference proceedings from international events including EuroSun and the International Symposium on Nonlinear Theory and its Applications. At ZHAW, Jaeger has served as project leader for multiple completed research initiatives including adaptive energy management systems for buildings and automated heat pump systems. His work demonstrates strong industry connections with applications in building automation and industrial manufacturing processes.
Herman Bruyninckx is a Part-Time Full Professor at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in the Mechanical Engineering department, specifically within the Control Systems Technology group and EAISI High Tech Systems initiative. He also serves as a professor (Hoogleraar) at KU Leuven in Belgium. Academic focus on robotics, control systems, and multi-agent coordination Active research in model predictive control , semantic mapping , and dynamic constraint algorithms Recent publications address industrial automation , agro-food robotics , and haptic technology Research Highlights : Developed hybrid decision-making frameworks for multi-agent navigation Innovated swing-free control methods for robotic pick-and-place operations Formulated constrained dynamics algorithms with LQR-Gauss principle integration Created ExoTen-Glove for haptic feedback in virtual environments Collaborative Projects : Coordinated with researchers like René van de Molengraft , Elena Torta , and Koen de Vos Contributed to NWO/TTW FlexCRAFT project for cognitive robotics in agro-food technology
Dr. Gaël Kermarrec is a researcher at the Boundary Layer Meteorology Group , part of the Institute of Meteorology and Climatology within the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics at Leibniz University Hannover . His work focuses on atmospheric turbulence, GNSS applications, and remote sensing for environmental monitoring. Boundary layer meteorology Turbulence theory GNSS signal processing Terrestrial laser scanning Climate change impacts Geodetic time series analysis His research integrates advanced mathematical models like LR B-splines and Matérn covariance with large eddy simulations to study: Atmospheric turbulence effects on optical/GNSS signals Hydrospheric mass loading Deformation analysis of terrain/port infrastructure Climatic sea-level changes Machine learning for remote sensing The 15 most recent articles (2025-2023) demonstrate his focus on: GNSS-based turbulence detection AI-enhanced climate mapping Advanced surface approximation techniques Multi-sensor data fusion Stochastic modeling of geodetic observations Environmental impacts on optical measurements He has developed tools like the Klimascanner QGIS plugin for urban climate resilience and contributes to: Understanding atmospheric scale lengths Improving TLS/GNSS deformation monitoring Analyzing hydrospheric changes Wavefront modeling Ionospheric corrections
Guo Ping is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Northwestern University, leading the Advanced Intelligent Manufacturing Laboratory (AIM). His research focuses on precision manufacturing, intelligent metrology via deep learning, and advanced manufacturing applications. He holds a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and a B.S. in Automotive Engineering from Tsinghua University. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL B.S. in Automotive Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China Research Interests: Dr. Guo’s work emphasizes innovations in precision engineering, including ductile-regime machining, smart metrology systems, and robotics-driven manufacturing. Key areas include structural coloration, additive manufacturing, and human-robot collaboration in industrial settings. His lab explores cutting-edge techniques like ultrasonic vibration machining and machine learning for defect detection and process optimization. Publications Trends: Recent work spans AI-driven quality control (e.g., photometric stereo networks), robotic swarm patterning, and wearable fatigue monitoring systems. His research bridges machine learning, robotics, and traditional manufacturing to address scalability and precision challenges. Awards: F.W. Taylor Medal (CIRP, 2023) ASME Kornel F. Ehman Manufacturing Medal (2021) SME Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award (2020) Professional Service: Associate Editor of the Journal of Manufacturing Processes (2017–present). Active in organizing conferences and reviewing for top journals. Labs & Teams: Directs the AIM Lab, which integrates robotics, AI, and advanced materials to solve problems in precision fabrication and smart manufacturing. Current projects include structural coloration for anti-counterfeiting and fatigue prediction in industrial workers.
