Hafiz Ali

Hafiz Ali is a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at De Montfort University (DMU), affiliated with the School of Engineering and Sustainable Development within the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Media. His research and teaching focus on digital manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and mechanical metamaterials.

Education:

• BSc in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Pakistan (2015)
• MSc in Mechanical Engineering, De Montfort University, UK (2019)
• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, De Montfort University, UK (2023)

Hafiz Ali’s research centers on additive manufacturing, programmable lattice structures, auxetic metamaterials, and sustainable design. His expertise spans CAD, FEA, topology optimization, and hybrid manufacturing processes. He actively contributes to innovation in sustainable and resource-efficient engineering solutions.

His recent publications focus on the design, optimization, and mechanical behavior of lattice structures for additive manufacturing, particularly exploring auxetic materials with negative Poisson’s ratio. These works reflect strong interdisciplinary trends in smart materials, structural mechanics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Scientific Awards:

• Best student award 2020 (DMU)
• Best MSc project award 2020 (DMU)
• Winner of the Ebike design competition by PETRONAS (2015)
• Winner of the Innovation project exhibition, UET Pakistan (2015)
• Project innovations awards at Pakistan Auto Show (2014)

Hafiz Ali has secured external research funding from Innovate UK, UKRI, and the British Council. Notable grants include projects on solid fuel technology for rural Indonesia, pollution reduction from domestic burning, thermal efficiency optimization, and 3D printing for microfluidic chips. He supervises BSc and MSc student projects and contributes to curriculum development in mechanical and mechatronics engineering.

He is affiliated with the Institute of Engineering Sciences at DMU and has contributed to multiple national and international conferences, including EU-US Symposium at Nokia Bell Labs, EPSRC DfAM Network, and 4D Material Design conferences. His work bridges academic research with industrial innovation and sustainability goals.