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Frank BalleView profile

Professor

• Hybrid Materials Engineering
• Power Ultrasonics
• Composite Materials
• +6 more

Frank Balle serves as Professor of Engineering of Functional Materials at the Faculty of Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATECH) of the University of Freiburg, holding the Walter and Ingeborg Herrmann Chair. His research focuses on sustainable hybrid materials systems, power ultrasonics applications, and multi-functional materials engineering for closed-loop technical metabolism. His educational background includes a diploma in materials engineering and design, followed by a Dr.-Ing. PhD in Engineering. He conducted post-doctoral research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (USA) and established research groups at the University of Kaiserslautern with German Research Foundation (DFG) support before joining Freiburg in 2018. Research interests center on developing renewable materials systems through three core approaches: Hybrid Materials Systems : Combining dissimilar materials (e.g., metals with CFRP/GFRP composites) using novel manufacturing processes for cost-neutral lightweight structures Ultra + X : Pioneering power ultrasonics (20,000 Hz) for solid-state joining of dissimilar materials, end-of-life estimation of composites, and sustainable repair/separation technologies Multi + X : Developing multifunctional composites with enhanced durability, digital damage monitoring, and multi-spot joining techniques for aerospace/automotive applications His application-oriented research examines microstructure, bonding mechanisms, and material properties of aluminum/titanium alloys and polymer composites. Current projects address aging-resistant joints, accelerated fatigue testing, defect activation in hybrid systems, sustainable tooling, and conductive composites for aircraft. Prof. Balle leads the INATECH research group executing multiple funded projects including USS transfer, VHCFK, SCHARF, NaSoKo, MCFK, and Multi-Spot. His work bridges fundamental materials science with industrial implementation in aviation and automotive sectors, aiming to establish 'technical metabolism' where waste becomes resource through ultrasonic-enabled repair and recycling. The research group operates within Freiburg's Solar Info Center facility, focusing on translating laboratory-scale welding techniques to component-level structures while developing rapid shelf-life calculation methods for composite materials.

Peter MayrView profile

Professor

• Materials Science
• Additive Manufacturing
• Welding Technology
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Peter Mayr is a Full Professor of Materials Science and Additive Manufacturing at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), leading the Department of Materials Engineering within the TUM School of Engineering and Design. He obtained his doctorate from TU Graz with distinction and held professorships at Chemnitz University of Technology before joining TUM in 2019. His research focuses on materials, processes, and component properties in additive manufacturing, particularly using experimental and simulation methods. Education: PhD in Technical Sciences (with highest honors), TU Graz (2007) Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, TU Graz (2004) Research Interests: Prof. Mayr explores the interplay of materials and processes in additive manufacturing, including welding technology, metallic structure fabrication, and advanced materials processing. His work emphasizes functional graded materials, directed energy deposition, and laser-based techniques. He also investigates microstructural changes, defects in additive manufacturing, and process optimization using IoT and machine learning. Awards: Fellow of the American Welding Society (2022) Professor Koichi Masubuchi Award (2013) Henry Granjon Prize (2008) Key Contributions: His publications address challenges in additive manufacturing, such as pore analysis in laser powder bed fusion, process parameter prediction via AI, and IoT-based monitoring of welding processes. He has pioneered methods like WeldForming and advanced hybrid neural networks for material property prediction. Labs & Teams: Leads the Chair of Materials Science and Additive Manufacturing at TUM, focusing on industrial applications of AM and collaborative projects in smart manufacturing and materials innovation.

Imke EngelhardtView profile

Professor

• Steel Construction
• Welding Technology
• Fatigue and Fracture
• +3 more

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Imke Engelhardt serves as a Professor in the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services Engineering at Munich University of Applied Sciences, where she manages the Steel Construction and Welding Technology Division within the Laboratory for Steel and Light Metal Construction. Her expertise centers on fatigue analysis, corrosion engineering, and life extension techniques for steel structures, with significant contributions to offshore wind energy infrastructure. Dr. Engelhardt's research program demonstrates consistent focus on high-frequency hammer peening (HFMI) and related post-weld treatments to enhance fatigue resistance in welded steel joints. Her 15 most recent publications reveal strong thematic continuity in corrosion-fatigue interactions, offshore structural applications, and standardization of life extension methodologies. The work bridges theoretical mechanics with practical engineering solutions, particularly for wind turbine towers and bridges exposed to marine environments. As an active delegate to the European Standardization Committee (ECCS TC 6 "Fatigue and Fracture") and member of key organizations including the International Institute of Welding (IIW), DVS Research Association, and FOSTA, she directly influences industry standards. Her leadership in the IGF-funded project (2015-2017) on corrosion effects in offshore wind energy plants exemplifies her commitment to translating research into practical engineering solutions while managing large-scale structural testing facilities.

Ashish Kumar SrivastavaView profile

Professor

• Friction Stir Additive Manufacturing
• Material Characterization
• Microstructural Properties
• +4 more

Prof. Ashish Kumar Srivastava serves as a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at G.L. Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management, Greater Noida, India, with over 16 years of experience in teaching, research, and administration. Recognized as a Top 2% Scientist globally, his work bridges advanced manufacturing and materials engineering. His academic foundation includes: B.Tech from Institute of Engineering and Technology, VBS Purvanchal University, Jaunpur M.Tech from Uttar Pradesh Technical University, Lucknow Ph.D. in Materials and Manufacturing from Indian Institute of Technology (ISM), Dhanbad (2018) Dr. Srivastava specializes in friction stir-based technologies , focusing on additive manufacturing, microstructural characterization, and functional material development. His research drives innovations in metal matrix composites and surface engineering, with strong industry applications in aerospace and automotive sectors. Current projects emphasize process optimization and property enhancement through novel fabrication techniques. Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a concentrated focus on metal additive manufacturing , particularly friction stir methods and laser powder bed fusion. These works investigate microstructure-property relationships, defect mitigation, and mechanical behavior of 3D-printed alloys like SS316L, demonstrating interdisciplinary integration of experimental and computational approaches. Key recognitions include: Top 2% Scientist of the world He has secured significant research funding, completing two government projects and currently leading a Council of Science and Technology (CST) UP grant. His innovation extends to four filed patents with the Government of India. Academically, he mentors 4 Ph.D. scholars, 8 postgraduate projects, and 42 undergraduate projects while serving as guest editor for special issues in Coatings Journal and Materials Journal , plus editorial board member for five international journals. He actively reviews for Elsevier, Springer, and Wiley publications.