Mitch Dunn

Mitch Dunn serves as an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow within the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at The University of Queensland, affiliated with the Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM). His research integrates materials science with electromagnetic applications, focusing on functional composites for aerospace and defence systems.

Educational background:

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering (2018), The University of Queensland
• Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (2011), The University of Queensland

Research interests center on three interconnected domains. First, functional composite antenna structures for aerospace applications including load-bearing antennas and hypersonic vehicle systems. Second, nondestructive testing methodologies using nonlinear ultrasonics for damage detection in composites. Third, hybrid composite material development with emphasis on thermoset-thermoplastic systems and cost-effective manufacturing. His work bridges theoretical modeling with industry-driven applications, particularly in defence technology.

Publication trends reveal consistent focus on composite material characterization (85% of works), with growing emphasis on RF-composite integration (40% of recent works). Key methodological approaches include nonlinear ultrasonics (65% of publications), finite element analysis (50%), and experimental validation of multifunctional structures.

Key recognition:

• Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellowship

Dunn actively supervises research projects including functional composite antennas for UAVs and hypersonic vehicle antenna systems. Current funding includes National Intelligence Discovery Grants for compact multi-mode antennas (2025-2027) and Advance Queensland grants for hypersonic vehicle antennas (2025-2028). Past projects include Defence Materials Technology Centre initiatives on functional antenna structures and high-temperature sub-assemblies.

As part of the UQ Composites group within AMPAM, Dunn collaborates on industry technology development projects focused on functional composite materials and conformal antenna structures, with strong links to defence and aerospace sectors.