Kunal Masania

Dr. Kunal Masania is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), where he leads Group Masania. His research focuses on developing hierarchical bioinspired materials with seemingly contradictory properties such as being both tough and strong or stiff and dissipative.

His research interests center on exploiting 3D printing technology to create advanced materials through directed- and self-assembly of natural or carbon-based materials across multiple length scales. He investigates how anisotropy and porosity affect material properties and applies these microstructural designs to large-scale structures, particularly for aerospace applications. His work bridges the gap between natural biological systems and engineered materials, creating what he calls 'living materials' that can adapt to their environment.

Professor Masania's recent publications reveal a strong focus on bioinspired composites, 3D printing techniques, and the development of living materials with adaptive properties. His work spans from fundamental material science to practical applications in sustainable aviation, with publications appearing in top journals including Nature, Nature Materials, and Nature Biotechnology.

Scientific Awards:

• ERC Consolidator Grant (2 million Euro) for research proposal AM-IMATE on living composite materials

Professor Masania actively supervises students and has developed significant industry and academic collaborations, particularly with ETH Zurich. His research group is at the forefront of developing next-generation composite materials that could revolutionize sustainable aviation through materials that can adapt to environmental conditions and potentially self-repair.

Group Masania is involved in cutting-edge research on bioinspired materials, with recent projects including the development of mycelium-based living materials, DNA-of-things storage architectures, and advanced 3D printing techniques for creating hierarchical structures with tailored mechanical properties.