Merve Erdal

Merve Erdal is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Middle East Technical University (METU), Ankara, Turkey. She holds a B.Sc. (1989), M.Sc. (1992) from METU, and a Ph.D. (1998) from the University of Illinois. Her research focuses on transport phenomena in materials processing, composites, structural/functional ceramics, rapid prototyping, and computational fluid mechanics. She leads the Composites Lab, offering graduate research opportunities in vascularized composites, electrically conductive materials, honeycomb structures, and microstructure control in composites.

Her work emphasizes advanced manufacturing techniques like selective laser sintering and resin transfer molding. Notable projects include strain monitoring systems in fiber-reinforced composites, CNT dispersion effects, and optimization of sandwich structures. Her research bridges material science with mechanical engineering, addressing challenges in composite design, process-induced defects, and material functionality.

Current research topics include: 1) Controlled functionality in composites via vascularized designs, 2) Electrically conductive nanocomposites, 3) Honeycomb sandwich structure processing, and 4) Microstructure homogenization through resin flow control. She collaborates on numerical modeling of void dynamics, warpage characterization, and equivalent material models for sandwich laminates.

Dr. Erdal’s publications span journals like Advanced Composite Materials, Results in Physics, and Journal of Composite Materials, reflecting her expertise in composite mechanics, material characterization, and process simulation. Open positions are available for graduate students in her lab, focusing on innovative composite applications and advanced manufacturing processes.