Dieter Jens De Baere serves as a Professor at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) in Belgium, leading the Applied Mechanics Acoustics & Vibrations Research Group. His work centers on hybrid manufacturing and smart structures within mechanical engineering, with significant contributions to additive manufacturing technologies reflected in an h-index of 13 and 48 research outputs. His primary research domains include Additive Manufacturing, Structural Health Monitoring, and Laser Cladding, with specialized focus on 3D printing process optimization, crack mitigation in metal components, and real-time flaw detection systems. Current investigations address thermal gradient control in directed energy deposition and fatigue analysis of functionally graded materials for aerospace applications. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate concentrated advancement in laser-directed energy deposition processes, particularly in-situ monitoring using high-speed imaging and thermal management strategies to reduce distortion in metal additive manufacturing. These efforts directly support industrial implementation of Industry 4.0 manufacturing standards. Prof. De Baere currently supervises one graduate student project. His research receives substantial funding through multiple competitive grants: NGCAT1: Metal hybrid 3D printing project (2025-2028) OZR4367: Strategic pillars for metal hybrid 3D printing (2024-2028) FWOSBO62: Fatigue optimization for sustainable additive manufacturing (2024-2028) IOF3024: VALM&M industrial valorization project (2023-2027) SRP82: Advanced modeling and monitoring strategies (2022-2027) He directs the Applied Mechanics Acoustics & Vibrations Research Group, which maintains active collaborations with aerospace and manufacturing industry partners to develop next-generation structural health monitoring systems and hybrid manufacturing solutions for critical components.




