David E. Hardt

Professor David E. Hardt is the Ralph E. and Eloise F. Cross Professor in Manufacturing at MIT's Department of Mechanical Engineering. He has been a faculty member since 1979 and leads research in manufacturing process control, additive manufacturing, and smart manufacturing systems. His work focuses on advancing technologies like polymer micro-embossing, roll-to-roll manufacturing, and large-scale additive processes for low-cost housing using recycled materials.

Education:

• B.Eng., Lafayette College (1972)
• M.Eng., MIT (1974)
• Ph.D., MIT (1978)

Research Interests: David's research spans cutting-edge manufacturing challenges, including:
- Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing: Developing cost-effective, large-scale systems for industrial applications.
- Smart Process Control: Integrating real-time data and adaptive control for precision manufacturing.
- Polymer Micro-Embossing: Innovations in high-resolution microfluidic device fabrication.
His recent projects address sustainable manufacturing, such as recycled-material-based housing via additive methods.

Notable Contributions:

• Founded MIT's Master of Engineering in Manufacturing (MEngM) program.
• Co-developed the MITx MicroMasters in Principles of Manufacturing, with over 3,400 certificates awarded.
• Served as Director of MIT's Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity (1985–1992).

Awards & Honors:

• ASME Hideo Hanafusa Outstanding Investigator Award (2020)
• SME College of Fellows (2020)
• ASME Fellow (2012)

Advising & Grants: Professor Hardt has supervised 27 PhD, 143 SM, and 51 MEng theses. He has led projects funded by industry collaborations and initiatives like the Singapore MIT Alliance (SMA).

Labs & Teams: Active in MIT's Manufacturing Lab and co-leads research in the Engineering Systems Division, focusing on scalable manufacturing solutions and global industry partnerships.