Leland Weiss

Dr. Leland Weiss is the Thurman Lauret Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Louisiana Tech University, serving as Director of Civil and Mechanical Engineering & Construction Engineering Technology and Director of Louisiana Tech’s Grand Challenge Scholars Program. He leads the Institute for Micromanufacturing's Scalable Devices and Energy Efficiency Lab, focusing on microfluidics, thermal management, and energy harvesting. His research spans 3D printing materials, phase change materials, and renewable energy systems, supported by NSF and NASA grants. He actively engages in K-12 STEM education through programs like the GCSP and afterschool initiatives targeting 3-5th graders. Dr. Weiss holds a PhD and has been at Louisiana Tech since 2008, contributing to over 100 peer-reviewed articles.

Research interests include energy efficiency, micromanufacturing, and sustainable engineering. His lab develops novel materials for additive manufacturing, thermal scavenging systems, and lab-on-a-chip devices. Key projects involve solar energy harvesting, low-temperature thermal power generation, and waste heat recovery using MEMS-based systems. Collaborations with NASA and Radiance Technologies have produced autonomous power platforms and thermal energy scavenging systems.

His work emphasizes translating research into educational outreach. The GCSP integrates NAE's Grand Challenges into student projects, while STEM kits for K-12 students aim to sustain long-term engagement in science and engineering. Dr. Weiss has been recognized with the NSF CAREER Award for his research in ambient thermal energy harvesting.

Recent publications highlight advancements in 3D printing defect detection, energy storage via phase change materials, and sensor-integrated microfluidic devices. His research trends focus on bridging material innovation with practical applications in both engineering systems and educational outreach.

• Awards: NSF CAREER Award
• Labs/Teams: Institute for Micromanufacturing, Grand Challenge Scholars Program, Louisiana Tech Student ASME section
• Grants: NSF (CAREER award), NASA (collaborative projects)

Dr. Weiss advises multiple engineering programs and mentors teams in both academic and community-based initiatives.