Forest Thompson

Forest Thompson is an Assistant Professor in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Formerly a Research Scientist at the Arbegast Materials Processing & Joining Laboratory, his research investigates processing-structure-property relationships in advanced materials, with specialization in plasma-assisted surface engineering.

Research specialties:

• High-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS)
• Synthesis of transition metal nitride coatings
• Tribological behavior of metals and ceramics
• Multifunctional coating architectures

Recent publications demonstrate progressive work on stimuli-responsive composites (2025), nanocrystalline magnetic cores (2024), and tribologically-optimized coatings. Courses taught include Fundamentals of Glass and Ceramic Engineering (MET400/500) and Materials Characterization Methods (MES602).