Jouni Partanen is a Professor at Aalto University's Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering within the College of Engineering. His research focuses on advanced production technologies including Additive Manufacturing (3D-Printing), modern laser processing, and micromachining. Research Group: Materiaaleista tuotteiksi Specialization: Integration of AI in manufacturing processes Sustainability emphasis: Biochar-reinforced materials and carbon footprint reduction His work spans from fundamental material behavior analysis to industrial applications, particularly in metal additive manufacturing and composite fabrication. Recent research explores corrosion resistance in lattice structures and multiscale photopolymerization techniques. Publications highlight interdisciplinary approaches combining mechanical engineering with biomedical applications (e.g., patient-specific implants) and environmental health studies on industrial 3D printing emissions.
Timothy Abram is a Professor of Nuclear Fuel Technology at the University of Manchester, holding the Westinghouse Chair since 2008. He leads the U-Battery HTGR project and serves as Visiting Senior Research Fellow at NNL. His expertise spans nuclear fuels (MOX, ATF, TRISO) and reactor systems (gas-cooled, VHTR), with roles in IAEA, UK Government advisory boards, and the UK Nuclear Regulator’s committee. He directs the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre for Nuclear Science and Engineering. Education: BSc and PhD (details unspecified). Research focuses on advanced nuclear fuels, thermal conductivity, and sustainable energy solutions, contributing to UN SDGs. Projects include molten salt reactor research (Radiochemical Facilities, DAWNMANTLE) and waste minimization strategies. Over 15 EU projects and 72 research outputs demonstrate his global impact. Awards: Not explicitly listed. Collaborations include international networks in nuclear innovation and material science. Advising roles include external examiner for Royal Navy and Cambridge MPhil programs.
Dr. Iason Sideris is affiliated with ETH Zürich's Department of Neue Fertigungstechnologien (New Manufacturing Technologies), holding a Researcher position within the Professorship for Advanced Manufacturing. His work focuses on advancing additive manufacturing techniques, particularly in path planning optimization, temperature control, and material processing. He contributes to fields like Direct Energy Deposition, Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), and data-driven finite volume methods. Key Research Areas: Additive Manufacturing, Thermal Modeling, Process Optimization, Materials Science Recent research emphasizes scalable path planning for temperature uniformity in AM processes, with publications addressing challenges in WAAM thermal management and real-time simulation methods. His work combines computational modeling with experimental validation to enhance manufacturing efficiency and material properties.
Desiderio Kovar is a Professor at the University of Texas at Austin holding the BFGoodrich Professorship in Materials Engineering and the Distinguished Teaching Professor title within the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Cockrell School of Engineering. He is affiliated with the Texas Materials Institute, the Center for Electromechanics, and is a core member of the Center for Additive Manufacturing and Design Innovation. Dr. Kovar currently serves as the Associate Chair for Academics for the Mechanical Engineering Department. Dr. Kovar's research focuses on the interface between materials science and engineering and additive manufacturing, with particular expertise in ceramic processing. His work encompasses Advanced Design and Manufacturing, Advanced Materials Science and Engineering, and Nano and Micro-scale Engineering. He teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in the Materials Engineering area, having developed the Materials Science and Engineering minor in 2018, the first minor in Engineering at UT Austin. His recent publications (2023-2025) demonstrate a strong focus on ceramic additive manufacturing processes, particularly Selective Laser Flash Sintering and Micro-Cold Spray technologies. These works explore fundamental mechanisms of high-velocity particle impact, sintering kinetics, and process optimization for ceramic film and part production, reflecting his pioneering work in direct ceramic additive manufacturing without polymer binders. Dr. Kovar has received numerous prestigious awards for his teaching and research: Engineering Foundation Young Faculty Excellence Award (2000) Teaching Excellence Award from the Student Engineering Council (2000) Cockrell School of Engineering's Jack and Maxine Zarrow Family K-16 Teaching Innovation Award (2014) Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Award for Excellence in Engineering Teaching (2016) Mechanical Engineering Department's Teaching Award (2016) University of Texas' Outstanding Graduate Advisor (2012) Inducted into the University of Texas at Austin's Academy of Distinguished Teachers (2019) Dr. Kovar has supervised 47 undergraduate students, 21 MS theses, and 17 Ph.D. dissertations, and currently supervises 12 graduate students and one undergraduate student. His research has been generously funded by the National Science Foundation, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratory, the Army Research Laboratory, the Office of Naval Research, the US Department of Energy, and various corporate sponsors. In 2013, he founded the Cockrell School's Longhorn Maker Studio, which evolved into Texas Inventionworks. Dr. Kovar leads the Kovar Research Group which currently includes multiple graduate students and postdoctoral researchers working across three main research thrusts: Additive Manufacturing of Ceramics by Selective Laser Flash Sintering, Additive Manufacturing of Ceramics by Indirect Selective Laser Sintering, and Direct Writing of Patterned Films and Devices using the Micro-cold Spray Process.
Professor David C. Dunand is a faculty member in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University , where he leads the Dunand Research Group . His work focuses on mechanical metallurgy of advanced metallic materials, including alloys, composites, and foams, with applications in energy-efficient transportation and biomaterials. He also investigates additive manufacturing techniques like laser powder-bed fusion and 3D ink extrusion. Research Interests: Physical and mechanical metallurgy of multiphase metals Additive manufacturing (ink extrusion, selective laser melting) Green/sustainable metal production In situ X-ray tomography for microstructure analysis Metallic foams and scaffolds Thermoelectric materials Recent Publications show expertise in redox cycling stability, precipitation strengthening, and hierarchical microstructures, with applications in batteries, shape-memory alloys, and high-entropy systems. Awards: TMS Fellow (2012) Structural Materials Division Distinguished Scientist/Engineering Award (2008) Fellow, ASM International (2007) Department Teacher of the Year (1998) He has held leadership roles including Co-Director of the Initiative for Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern (2008-2015) and Visiting Professor at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (2000). The group operates a SISMA MYSINT 100 laser powder bed fusion machine and collaborates extensively.
Yali Tang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), specializing in fluid dynamics and transport phenomena within multiphase flows and physicochemical conversions . Her work targets Iron Power technology , green steel production , and alkaline water electrolysis for hydrogen generation, combining advanced computational models with experimental validation . Education: Master's in Chemical Engineering from Sichuan University (2011) PhD in Mechanical Engineering at TU/e (2015) with Prof. Hans Kuipers Research Interests: She focuses on interphase interactions , interfacial transport mechanisms , and high-resolution simulations (down to 40 nm mesh) to predict bubble coalescence and film dynamics. Her studies on hydrogen bubble growth , dendritic iron formation , and gas distribution in electrolyzers aim to refine reactor design and industrial processes. Collaborations with industrial partners ensure practical applicability of her computational models. Recent Publications: Her 2025 work includes dimensional analysis of liquid film formation, solutal Marangoni effects in electrolysis, and X-ray validation of gas distribution models. Earlier studies (2020–2023) cover defluidization behavior of iron fines, CFD-DEM modeling of raceways, and acoustic field applications in particle dynamics. Labs & Collaborations: She leads computational efforts within the Power & Flow group under Prof. Niels Deen, contributing to the EIRES Research cluster. Her work bridges academic research with industrial innovation in fluid dynamics and energy transition technologies.
Jack Beuth is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), affiliated with the College of Engineering. He has been on the faculty since 1992 and leads the NextManufacturing Center, focusing on additive manufacturing (AM) research. His work emphasizes process mapping for AM, material science, and machine learning integration in manufacturing processes. Key affiliations include the Engineering Research Accelerator and the Manufacturing Futures Institute. Education: Ph.D. in Engineering Sciences, Harvard University (1992) M.S. in Engineering Sciences, Harvard University (1989) M.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Tech (1987) B.S. in Engineering Science and Mechanics, Virginia Tech (1984) Research Interests: Additive Manufacturing (process modeling, material characterization, and defect analysis) Melt pool dynamics and thermal modeling Machine learning for process optimization and quality control Advanced materials for AM (e.g., Ti-6Al-4V, Inconel 718) His research has led to innovations like 'process map' approaches for AM, enabling better control over variables such as melt pool geometry and microstructure. Awards and Recognition: Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award (1998) George Tallman and Florence Barrett Ladd Development Professorship (2000) ASME Curriculum Innovation Award (2005) Benjamin Richard Teare Teaching Award (2009) Grants and Collaborations: $3.5M cooperative agreement with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command’s Army Research Laboratory (ARL) for AI-driven AM process optimization. Collaborations with Westinghouse Electric Company on 3D-printed nuclear components, such as spacer grids for pressurized water reactors. Labs and Teams: NextManufacturing Center: A research hub for AM innovation, emphasizing industrial partnerships and applied research. Beuth’s Additive Lab: Specializes in melt pool analysis, process mapping, and material behavior under AM conditions.
Jozef Vleugels is a full Professor at KU Leuven's Faculty of Engineering Sciences, where he serves as Department Head of Functional Materials (SIEM) within the Department of Materials Science. He is also Chairman of the Leuven Centre for Materials and serves as contact person for the Functional Materials research unit located at Castle Park Arenberg 44 in Leuven. His research focuses on advanced materials processing, particularly in ceramics, powder metallurgy, and additive manufacturing. Vleugels has extensive expertise in zirconia-based dental biomaterials, nuclear materials, and refractory ceramics. His work integrates traditional ceramic processing techniques with cutting-edge additive manufacturing technologies, including direct ink writing (DIW) and binder jetting for complex geometries. His recent publications demonstrate a strong emphasis on dental applications of zirconia ceramics, laser surface modification techniques, microwave processing, and high-entropy carbide systems. His research group is actively involved in numerous EU and national projects related to additive manufacturing of multi-material components, nuclear applications, and dental biomaterials. Prof. Vleugels teaches several courses including Ceramics and Powder Metallurgy, Advanced Ceramic Materials, and project-based courses in materials science. He supervises numerous doctoral candidates and collaborates extensively with industry partners on applied research projects. He is an active member of multiple research networks including the Materials Science Division, KIEM – KU Leuven Institute for Energy and Society, and Leuven.AM – KU Leuven Institute for Additive Manufacturing. He also serves on various faculty and departmental councils including the Faculty Council of Engineering Sciences and the Departmental Council of Materials Science.
Kaka Ma is an Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at Texas A&M University, specializing in advanced materials processing for energy systems and extreme environments through powder-based synthesis, additive manufacturing, and sintering technologies. Educational Background: Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Davis (2010) B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China (2006) His research focuses on powder-based synthesis of metals/ceramics, laser directed energy deposition, field-assisted sintering technology (FAST), thermionic/thermoelectric energy conversion materials, and ultrahigh-temperature/hypersonic environment applications, with strong emphasis on sustainability in materials engineering. Recent publications demonstrate expertise in creating functionally graded materials via controlled thermal gradients and powder morphology optimization. Analysis of 2021-2025 publications reveals dominant trends in spark plasma sintering parameter optimization, additive manufacturing of titanium alloys, high-entropy carbide development, and nanoparticle synthesis for energy applications, consistently linking processing parameters to microstructure-property relationships in extreme-condition materials. Scientific Awards: TMS Light Metals/Extraction & Processing Subject Award – Recycling (2020) Professional memberships include The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) and America Makes. While specific advising details and grant information are not documented in the provided materials, his extensive collaborative publication record indicates active mentorship of graduate researchers and successful acquisition of research funding. No dedicated laboratory facilities or research team structures are specified in the source documentation.
Dr Dongbin Wei is an Associate Professor at the School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering , University of Technology Sydney (UTS), with a career spanning academia and industry. He holds a PhD in Materials Processing Engineering from the University of Science and Technology Beijing (2001) and academic appointments from 2005–2012 at the University of Wollongong (Research Fellow to Lecturer) and 2013–2017 at UTS (Senior Lecturer) before his promotion to Associate Professor in 2018. His research lies at the intersection of Mechanical Engineering , Manufacturing Engineering , and Materials Processing , focusing on: Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM) Micro Metal Forming and Size Effects Tribology and Lubrication Numerical Simulations of Material Processing Composite Material Fabrication Key contributions include: Development of the Springback Path–Displacement Adjustment (SP-DA) method for stamping accuracy Advancements in femtosecond laser texturing for silicon wettability control Studies on nanolubrication in hot rolling Optimization of micro-deep drawing parameters He has secured competitive grants from the Australian Research Council (ARC) and industry partners like Weir Minerals Australia Ltd , including projects on: Revolutionizing mineral separation via additive manufacturing Super high-speed grinding technologies Mechanics of micro composite drill fabrication As a lead supervisor, he guided the 2022 thesis 'Creation and Validation of 3D Printable Mineral Separation Spiral' . His work bridges theoretical analysis, computational modeling (FEM/FEA), and practical validation in advanced manufacturing systems.
Dr. Zhe Cheng is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Colorado State University, part of the Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. Prior to this, he held tenured positions at Florida International University (2013–2024) and was a research investigator at DuPont (2008–2013). His research focuses on advanced ceramic materials for energy applications, including solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), photovoltaics, and high-temperature ceramics. He holds a Ph.D. (2008), M.S. (2004), and B.S. (2001) in Materials Science & Engineering from Georgia Tech and Tsinghua University. Education: Ph.D., Materials Science & Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (2008) M.S., Materials Science & Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology (2004) B.S., Materials Science & Engineering, Tsinghua University (2001) Research Interests: Dr. Cheng specializes in novel synthesis and processing of high-temperature ceramics, including high-entropy nitrides, and their applications in energy conversion systems. His work emphasizes in situ characterization techniques to understand material behavior under operational conditions. Key areas include SOFC cathodes, proton-conducting electrolytes, and wearable sensor technologies. Publications & Awards: With over 5,284 citations and an h-index of 27, his work spans 44 peer-reviewed articles. Notable awards include the NSF CAREER Award (2019) and the American Ceramic Society Ross Coffin Purdy Award (2010). His research has been funded by NSF, DOE, and NASA. Advising & Grants: Dr. Cheng has advised numerous graduate students and secured $2.3 million in research funding. Key grants include DOE projects on additive manufacturing for plasma-facing materials and NSF support for SOFC hydrogen electrode fundamentals. Labs & Teams: He leads research in advanced ceramics and electrochemical systems at CSU, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations in materials science and energy engineering.
Prof. Ashutosh S. Gandhi is a Professor in the Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), where he has been serving since December 2017. Previously, he was an Associate Professor at IIT Madras from 2012 to 2015 and an Assistant Professor there from 2006 to 2012. He held a Postgraduate Researcher position at the University of California, Santa Barbara from 2001 to 2005. His educational qualifications include a Ph.D. and M.E. in Metallurgy from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, specializing in Ceramics, and a B.E. in Metallurgical Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur, where he secured the university rank. Prof. Gandhi's research focuses on the Science of Ceramics , particularly High Temperature Protective Coatings such as Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBCs) and Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBCs), Surface Engineering , High Entropy Ceramics , Phase Transformations , and Metastable and Amorphous Materials . His work bridges fundamental materials science with industrial applications in aerospace, energy, and nuclear sectors. The selected publications highlight a strong trend in advanced ceramic materials, especially zirconia-based systems, rare earth silicates, and high entropy oxides. The research spans synthesis (sol-gel, combustion), processing (spark plasma sintering), and characterization of phase evolution, thermal stability, and mechanical properties under extreme conditions. Key themes include entropy stabilization, nanocrystallinity, and high-temperature performance. He has secured significant research funding from national and international agencies including the Science & Engineering Research Board, Aeronautics Research & Development Board, Department of Science & Technology, Naval Research Board (DRDO), Indian Space Research Organisation, The Boeing Company, and Pratt & Whitney. He also collaborated with GE India Technology Center on critical literature reviews. Prof. Gandhi holds an Indian patent on a thermal barrier coating made of high entropy oxide ceramics. He has contributed to the field through peer-reviewed journal publications and book chapters in prestigious publications by Springer and Pan Stanford. His research group at IIT Bombay is actively involved in developing next-generation ceramic materials for extreme environments, including icephobic coatings for aerospace and protective coatings for refractories. The lab utilizes advanced spectroscopic and materials characterization techniques.
Auezhan Amanov is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, specializing in the Engineering Materials Science (EMS) department. His research focuses on tribology, surface engineering, and advanced materials processing. He leads the 'Tribology and Surface Modification' research group, aiming to enhance machine element performance through surface treatments and manufacturing innovations. Dr. Amanov is an active member of international tribology societies (STLE, JAST, KTS), chairing the 'Surface Engineering' committee at STLE. His work emphasizes improving wear resistance, fatigue life, and tribological performance of materials like titanium alloys, high-entropy alloys, and thermal spray coatings. His research integrates additive manufacturing, laser-based processes, and severe plastic deformation techniques to optimize material properties. Key contributions include studies on ultrasonic nanocrystal surface modification (UNSM) for enhancing mechanical and tribological characteristics. Collaborations with industries and academic institutions globally drive his mission to translate research into practical solutions for manufacturing efficiency and sustainable development. Dr. Amanov holds an h-index of 34 (Google Scholar) and has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles on materials science and tribology advancements. Teaching responsibilities include tribology and fatigue-related courses, reflecting his expertise in both academic and applied engineering domains. His vision includes advancing circular economy practices through bearing restoration technologies and improving 'Made in Finland' manufacturing competitiveness through material science innovations.
Dr. Daniel Oropeza is an Assistant Professor in the Materials Department at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), within the College of Engineering. His research focuses on advancing materials and manufacturing technologies for aerospace systems and extreme environments, emphasizing process-microstructure-property relationships. He leads the Materials and Manufacturing for Aerospace and Extremes (MMAX) Lab, which develops novel techniques for powder synthesis, additive manufacturing, and ceramic processing. Education: Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (MIT, 2021) M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics (Stanford, 2014) B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (UT Austin, 2012) Research Interests: His work spans powder synthesis (e.g., ultrasonic atomization of refractory alloys), additive manufacturing (porous materials, reactive binder jetting), and functional ceramics for applications in hypersonics, space propulsion, and robotics. The MMAX Lab integrates material science, mechanical engineering, and advanced manufacturing testbeds to enable responsive manufacturing solutions. Awards & Grants: LLNL Early Career UC Faculty Initiative Award (2024) Global Young Investigator Award (ACerS, 2025) ONR Grant for Ultrasonic Atomization Research (2024) CNSI Challenge Grant for UC M 2 ADE Consortium (2024) Advising & Labs: He mentors a team of graduate and undergraduate students in the MMAX Lab, focusing on projects like NASA-funded research on refractory metal alloys for space propulsion. The lab collaborates with national labs (e.g., LLNL) and industry partners to bridge fundamental research and applied technologies. Labs/Teams: MMAX Lab develops custom equipment for powder bed fusion, nanoparticle jetting, and reactive binder jetting systems. Current projects include ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs) for extreme environments and multi-material manufacturing for defense and energy applications.
Jason Trelewicz is a Professor at Stony Brook University’s Department of Chemical & Molecular Engineering and holds joint faculty status at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. His research focuses on interface-engineered materials for extreme environments, leveraging advanced processing, characterization tools, and multiscale modeling. He received his Ph.D. in Materials Science from MIT (2008) and previously served as Research Director at MesoScribe Technologies. His work emphasizes fusion materials, nanocrystalline alloys, additive manufacturing, and radiation effects. Awards include the DOE Early Career Award (2017), NSF CAREER Award (2016), and multiple best paper awards (2022). His lab, the Engineered Microstructures and Radiation Effects Laboratory, explores topics like ceramic composite moderators and plasma-facing materials. Education: Ph.D., Materials Science & Engineering, MIT (2008) Affiliations: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Joint Faculty) Key research areas include thermal-mechanical evaluation of fusion reactor components, alloy design for additive manufacturing, and radiation tolerance of nanocrystalline materials. He has pioneered studies on helium bubble dynamics in tungsten and stability of doped nanocrystalline alloys. Awards: DOE Early Career Award, NSF CAREER Award, 2022 Best Paper Awards in Nuclear Materials and Asian Ceramics. Grants/Projects: Supported by DOE, NSF, and collaborative initiatives with Japan (FRONTIER). His group investigates corrosion behavior in 3D-printed steels and develops novel composite moderators for high-temperature reactors. Ongoing work includes multiscale modeling for fusion materials and in-situ TEM studies of irradiation effects.
