Shashank Sharma is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of North Texas. His research focuses on additive manufacturing processes, computational materials engineering, and microstructure-property relationships in advanced alloys and composites. He develops integrated computational and experimental approaches for materials development. Research interests include laser-based additive manufacturing, friction stir processing, computational modeling of materials processes, and thermokinetic analysis of phase transformations. His work demonstrates strong emphasis on process-microstructure-property relationships in metallic systems. Analysis of recent publications reveals cutting-edge research in additive manufacturing technologies with particular focus on refractory alloys, metal matrix composites, and ferritic-martensitic steels. The work integrates advanced characterization with computational modeling and machine learning approaches.
Hao Wu is a Professor at the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and a member of the CHEC Research Centre. His expertise spans chemical engineering, environmental technology, and renewable energy systems. He holds a B.Sc. from Zhejiang University (2000–2004), followed by M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from DTU (2005–2011). Prior to his current role, he served as an Associate Professor (2019–present), Assistant Professor (2015–2019), Researcher (2013–2015), and Postdoc (2011–2013) at DTU. His research focuses on sustainable energy systems, including biomass conversion, fluidized bed technology, combustion chemistry, and material science. Key areas include optimizing biomass gasification processes, mitigating ash deposition and agglomeration, and developing advanced coatings for corrosion and fire protection. He has contributed to over 170 peer-reviewed publications and actively supervises multiple PhD students in interdisciplinary projects. Research Highlights: Development of zinc-bismuth microspheres for marine corrosion protection. Investigation of phosphorus and potassium dynamics in biomass pyrolysis. Innovative pulse flow strategies for fluidized bed agglomeration control. Study of iron particle combustion and deactivation mechanisms. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to affordable and clean energy (SDG7), industry innovation (SDG9), and climate action (SDG13). Current projects include fire safety in biochar handling, catalytic conversion of lignin, and NOx reduction in waste-to-energy systems. Advising & Grants: Supervises five active PhD students (see student list). Leads projects funded by international collaborations and industry partnerships. Focus areas: Combustion chemistry, material engineering, and environmental sustainability. Laboratory affiliations include the CHEC Research Centre, specializing in chemical engineering and catalysis.
Dr. Sara Karam is a Technology Leader in the Department of Engineering Technology at South East Technological University (SETU), affiliated with the South Eastern Applied Materials Research Centre (SEAM). She holds a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from the American University of Beirut and a PhD in advanced sensor monitoring of manufacturing processes from the University of Naples Federico II, Italy. Her research focuses on sensor technology, manufacturing processes, non-destructive testing (e.g., X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography), additive manufacturing, and applications of FEA/CFD. She has contributed to EU FP7 projects optimizing manufacturing processes and led a partnership with Viecura Medical on hip protector technology for the elderly. Currently, she collaborates with SEAM’s FEA team to develop engineering solutions using advanced simulation techniques. Key areas of expertise include vibration sensor monitoring, tool life prediction, and robotics integration in manufacturing. She is actively accepting PhD students and has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, with her work referenced in 3 patents and widely read on platforms like Mendeley.
Dr. Kagan Benzesik is affiliated with the Department of Microstructure Physics and Alloy Design at Istanbul Technical University's Faculty of Chemical Metallurgical Engineering. His work focuses on metallurgical processes, materials synthesis, and waste valorization. He holds a Ph.D. (2023) and M.Sc. (2016) in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from Istanbul Technical University, and a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Dokuz Eylul University. His research explores advanced materials synthesis techniques such as combustion chemistry and spark plasma sintering, with applications in CO2 capture, alloy design, and industrial waste recycling. Key areas include lithium-based materials for carbon capture, energy-efficient production of FeCr and FeCrNi alloys, and utilization of aluminum dross residues. He also investigates corrosion-resistant magnesium alloys and hydroxyapatite coatings for biomedical applications. Recent publications emphasize decarbonization strategies in metallurgy, sustainable alloy manufacturing, and nanostructured materials synthesis. His work bridges fundamental materials science with industrial applications, addressing environmental challenges through innovative processing methods.
Felipe Gutiérrez Mora is a Tenured Professor in Condensed Matter Physics at the University of Seville's Faculty of Physics. His research examines mechanical and tribological properties of advanced ceramics and composites, with expertise in spark plasma sintering and nanocomposite development. Research focuses on ceramic materials, nanocomposites, and tribology. Recent publications explore reinforcement mechanisms using graphene nanoplatelets, carbon nanotubes, and nanoparticles to enhance mechanical and wear properties. Publications demonstrate consistent focus on material processing-structure-property relationships, particularly in zirconia and alumina systems. Recent work investigates novel sintering techniques and polymer-ceramic composites for improved tribological performance. Professional affiliations include the Mechanical Properties of Solids Group at the University of Seville-CSIC, focusing on advanced ceramics research.
Dr. Antonios Kontsos is the Henry M. Rowan Foundation Professor and inaugural Director of the Digital Engineering Hub (DEHub) at Rowan University’s Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering. His research focuses on engineering mechanics, multiscale material behavior, and digital engineering applications. Education : Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science from Rice University, Post-Doctoral Fellow at The University of Texas at Austin, and Diploma in Mechanical Engineering & Aeronautics from the University of Patras, Greece. Research interests emphasize microstructure-property relations, fatigue & fracture mechanics, and advanced manufacturing. His work integrates experimental methods with computational modeling, signal processing, and AI to address challenges in material failure prediction and sustainable design. Recent publications highlight innovations in non-destructive testing, entropy-based crack monitoring, and additive manufacturing under extreme conditions. He teaches courses in solid mechanics, cyberphysical systems, and advanced manufacturing. Scientific Awards : Henry M. Rowan Foundation Professorship. Dr. Kontsos leads collaborative projects with institutions like Virginia Polytechnic Institute and the University of Virginia, focusing on multi-material design and flaw detection in laser powder bed fusion. His lab, DEHub, specializes in digital engineering solutions for material diagnostics and infrastructure resilience.
Rafael Gitti Tortoretto Fim is a Postdoctoral Researcher and Group Deputy in the Sustainable Magnets and Recycling Group at the Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials (MPI SusMat) since 2024. His work focuses on sustainable production of hard magnetic materials, recycling strategies, cryogenic processing for energy applications, and additive manufacturing of permanent magnets. PhD in Materials Science and Engineering (2018-2023) , Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil Master in Nuclear Technology and Materials Science (2016-2018) , Nuclear and Energy Research Institute of University of São Paulo (IPEN/USP), Brazil Bachelor in Materials Technology (2012-2015) , Faculty of Technology of São Paulo, Brazil Rafael's research expertise lies in Materials Characterization , Microstructure Engineering , and Functional Materials development. His work investigates resource-efficient pathways for rare-earth-based magnet production, including Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) techniques and HDDR process optimization for bonded magnets. Recent publications highlight advancements in Additive Manufacturing of Nd-Fe-B and Sm-Fe-N bonded magnets, with innovations in mechanical alignment, packing density enhancement, and alloying element effects. These studies span Magnetism , Materials Synthesis , and Sustainable Processing domains. He is affiliated with the Mechanism-based Alloy Design research group at MPI SusMat, contributing to sustainable materials innovation. Contact details: r.gitti@...
Mihaela Vlasea is an Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo, specializing in additive manufacturing (AM) and materials science. Her research focuses on advancing AM processes such as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF), and binder jetting. She explores topics including microstructural evolution, process optimization, material characterization, and defect detection using machine learning and advanced testing techniques. Her work addresses challenges in AM such as surface roughness prediction, pore formation, and mechanical property enhancement through data-driven frameworks. She also investigates novel applications like auxetic structures in orthopaedics and lightweight functional materials. Key areas of interest include the interplay between process parameters, material properties, and final component performance. Dr. Vlasea’s research often employs nondestructive evaluation methods (e.g., phased array ultrasonic testing) and computational modeling to improve AM process control and part quality. Her contributions span both metallic and ceramic materials, with a focus on industrial applications in aerospace, automotive, and biomedical fields. She leads the Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing Lab , where she develops innovative AM methodologies for complex architectures and functional materials. Her work bridges fundamental materials science with applied manufacturing engineering, emphasizing sustainability and cost-effective solutions for AM processes.
İSMAİL TOPCU is an Associate Professor in the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering at Alanya Alaeddin Keykubat University's Faculty of Engineering. He previously held roles including Researcher at Marmara University's Faculty of Engineering and has been affiliated with the Rafet Kayış Engineering Faculty since 2003. His academic career spans multiple institutions and roles, including Farabi Coordinator, Erasmus Coordinator, and Department Deputy Chair at Alanya Alaeddin Keykubat University. He earned his PhD in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering (2016) from Marmara University's Institute of Science and Technology, following a Master's degree (2007) and Bachelor's degree (1995) in Metallurgical Engineering from the same and Istanbul Technical University, respectively. His research focuses on advanced materials science topics such as powder metallurgy, composite materials, tribology, and additive manufacturing. He has explored the mechanical behavior of titanium matrix composites, friction stir welding techniques for polymers, and material characterization under dynamic loads. His work emphasizes practical applications in industries like aerospace, biomedical implants, and geothermal energy systems. Recent studies include optimizing PLA/ABS polymer properties for pandemic-related medical devices and investigating wear resistance in Ti6Al4V/CNT composites. He has also contributed to projects on magnesium production from seawater and solar energy systems. Key Research Areas: Advanced composites (metal matrix, polymer-based) Material processing techniques (powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing) Creep/fatigue behavior analysis Non-destructive testing (NDT) methodologies Biomedical and aerospace material development Awards: Teknofast Rocket Competition 2020 Grants & Projects: Completed TÜBİTAK projects on polymer pipe modeling and 3D printed composites Research on hydrogen storage tanks via powder metallurgy Development of solar tracking systems for photovoltaic cells Labs/Teams: Material Production and Recycling Laboratory Development Project
Pankaj Sarin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Oklahoma State University, affiliated with the School of Materials Science and Engineering. His research focuses on advanced ceramic materials, in-situ high-temperature materials characterization, and microstructure-property relationships. He leads the Sarin Research Group, which develops novel instrumentation for synchrotron-based investigations up to 2000°C. His expertise spans water treatment materials, battery electrode design, bioceramics, and archaeological materials science. Ph.D. in Materials Science from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign B.Tech. in Ceramics Engineering from Banaras Hindu University Research interests include: in-situ high-temperature materials analysis, microstructure-property modeling, corrosion engineering, and aqueous corrosion studies. He teaches courses like MSE 5023 (Diffusion and Kinetics), MSE 5093 (Fundamentals of Materials Science), and MSE/MAE 5583 (Corrosion Engineering). Publications emphasize high-temperature ceramic composites, phase transformations, and synchrotron-based techniques. His work on water distribution systems and battery materials demonstrates applied research impact. He has secured grants for instrumentation development and educational programs. Recipient of funding for projects like the $1.9M award for water treatment research. Advises graduate students in materials science and engineering, emphasizing entrepreneurial training through research programs.
Christopher Schuh is the John G. Searle Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University, serving as Dean. His research focuses on structural materials, including metals and ceramics, emphasizing disorder control in microstructures to optimize mechanical properties. He leads the Schuh Group, combining experiments, theory, and simulations to study processing-structure-property relationships. Schuh is a serial entrepreneur, co-founding Xtalic Corporation (nanocrystalline coatings) and Desktop Metal (3D metal printing). His work spans over 250 publications in journals like Science and Acta Materialia . Education: BS in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University Research Interests: Schuh's group explores nanocrystalline alloys, grain boundary engineering, microparticle impact dynamics, and shape memory ceramics. His innovations include nanocrystalline coatings for electronics and scalable additive manufacturing techniques. Recent projects involve quantifying plasticity in extreme strain rates and developing alloys for rapid sintering. Awards: Fellow of ASM International Fellow of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society Member of the National Academy of Inventors Member of the National Academy of Engineering Grants & Advising: Schuh oversees a lab with active PhD students (e.g., Tyler Lucas, Daniel Ng) and collaborates on projects like the 'B09-NANO for Industry 3' initiative. His grants fund research into microstructural evolution and cold spray technologies. Labs & Teams: The Schuh Group operates at the intersection of academia and industry, with a focus on translational research. Current projects include shape memory ceramics and high-velocity microparticle impact analysis.
Mehrdad Mousapour is a Visitor (Faculty) in the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering at Aalto University, affiliated with the Materials to Products school. He holds a Tekn. toht. (Doctor of Technology) in Engineering from Aalto University (2024) and a Dipl.ins. (Diploma) in Chemical Technology (2020). His research focuses on additive manufacturing, 3D printing of composite and multi-metal materials, and advanced powder metallurgy techniques. Key areas include vat photopolymerization, material extrusion, and the development of biobased composites using digital light processing (DLP). His work addresses topics like copper oxidation, pore evolution in sintering processes, and alloy fabrication from elemental powders. Notable contributions include studies on NiTiCu alloy production via additive manufacturing and the feasibility of multi-metal parts using fused filament fabrication (FFF). Recent research highlights include biobased composite integration and advanced 3D printing methodologies. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly mentioned in the provided texts. His academic contributions span over 15 peer-reviewed articles from 2016 to 2025, with a strong emphasis on experimental and computational analysis of material behavior during manufacturing processes. Mehrdad advises no listed students but collaborates with researchers in materials science and mechanical engineering.
Suresh Palanisamy is a Professor of Advanced Manufacturing and Director of the Manufacturing Futures Research Platform at Swinburne University of Technology's School of Engineering. He specializes in metal additive manufacturing, advanced manufacturing technologies, and Industry 4.0, with a focus on cold spray additive manufacturing, laser ultrasonic testing, and sustainable manufacturing. He has secured over $25 million in research funding and led major projects such as the $26 million Air Platforms Program in the Defence Materials Technology Centre. Education: PhD in Die Casting and Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Testing (Ford Motor Company collaboration), Master of Engineering (Computer Integrated Manufacturing), and Graduate Certificate in Higher Education from Swinburne. Research Interests: Metal Additive Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, Machining/Tooling Technologies, and Sustainable Manufacturing. He has collaborated with over 70 industry partners and 20 research institutions globally. Awards: Multiple national/international awards including Vice-Chancellor’s Engaged Team Award, Capability Improvement Awards, and Best Paper/Poster recognitions. His work emphasizes bridging academia and industry, particularly in SMEs. Grants: Over 50 grants including ARC Research Hub for Future Digital Manufacturing, CSIRO collaborations, and Defense Science and Technology Group projects. Active in developing digital twin models for cutting tools and Industry 4.0 solutions. Labs/Teams: Leads the Transport Innovation Centre and collaborates with global institutes like Malaysia Automotive, Robotics & IoT Institute. His research spans additive manufacturing applications in aerospace, biomedical, and energy sectors.
Dr. Monica Campos Gomez is a Full Professor at the University Carlos III of Madrid in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering. She leads the Powder Technology Research Group at the Álvaro Alonso Barba Institute of Chemistry and Materials Technology. Her research focuses on advanced materials processing techniques including powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing, and nanostructured materials for industrial and biomedical applications. Her research explores material extrusion, spark plasma sintering, and laser powder-bed fusion for developing high-performance alloys. Recent work examines microstructure-property relationships in ODS steels, cobalt superalloys, and titanium/aluminum composites for extreme environments. Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on optimizing processing parameters to enhance mechanical properties and thermal stability. She leads significant research projects including IRIDISCENT (AI for sustainable alloy design) and DAMAS (master alloys for sintered steels). As principal investigator, she secured funding from AGENCIA ESTATAL DE INVESTIGACION and European Union programs. She supervises graduate research on metallic metamaterials, ferritic ODS steels, and cobalt-based superalloys. Dr. Campos Gomez directs the Powder Technology laboratory where her team investigates novel processing methods for aerospace, energy, and biomedical applications. Collaborations include international partners working on composite extrusion modeling and electrical resistance sintering techniques.
Antonia Jimenez Morales is a Full Professor at University Carlos III of Madrid, affiliated with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Chemical Engineering. She serves as Director of the Official Postgraduate Program for the University Master's Degree in Materials Science and Engineering. Her research activities are centered within the Powder Technology Research Group and the Álvaro Alonso Barba Institute of Chemistry and Materials Technology. Her work spans multiple scientific domains including Materials Science, Chemistry, Electronics, Industrial Engineering, and Biomedical applications. Professor Jimenez Morales' research interests focus on advanced materials processing techniques, particularly powder metallurgy, sol-gel technology, and metal injection molding. Her work has significant applications in biomaterials development, corrosion protection systems, and the creation of MAX phase ceramics for high-temperature applications. She has made notable contributions to the development of antimicrobial sol-gel coatings for medical implants, addressing critical challenges in preventing prosthetic joint infections. Her research bridges fundamental materials science with practical engineering applications, particularly in biomedical and aerospace contexts. Her publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on materials innovation, with recent work emphasizing sustainable manufacturing approaches, advanced ceramic processing, and bioactive coatings. The trajectory of her research shows increasing emphasis on biomedical applications of materials science, particularly in infection prevention strategies for orthopedic implants. Her work combines experimental materials processing with electrochemical characterization and biological testing to develop functional coatings with controlled drug release capabilities. Professor Jimenez Morales has served as principal researcher on numerous significant projects including SMARTGEL (focused on diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for implant-related infections), REVIAL (sol-gel technology for metallic alloy coatings), and several EU-funded initiatives. She has also contributed to research projects addressing sustainable manufacturing, 3D printing technologies, and environmental impact reduction in materials processing. Her supervision of doctoral theses reflects her commitment to training the next generation of materials scientists in specialized areas including sol-gel technology, MAX phase processing, and corrosion protection systems.
