Current Projects

Projects in the Manufacturing and Materials Joining Innovation Center are broken down into three focus areas:

Focus is on the understanding and optimization of welded/printed materials performance when exposed to industry service environments. Assess using a multitude of variables including: material composition, welding/printing process and techniques, and service conditions. Dynamic material performance includes examination of the effects of strain, fatigue and corrosion. Includes validation and development of models based on experimental results. Goal is to optimize materials, welding, and printing solutions, as well as the code requirements governing industry.

Thrust Committee Chair: Mike Buehner, Technip (OSU mentor) Robert Hamlin, NNRL (LU mentor)

Thrust Committee Co-Chair: Boian Alexandrov, OSU

2. Additive / Process Development / Control

Promote innovation and development in additive manufacturing and joining processes. Areas of interest and focus: Metal additive manufacturing, brazing, advanced arc welding, solid-state joining, sensors, process monitoring and control, and the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence to improve these processes.

Thrust Committee Chair:Andrzej Nycz ORNL (UTK mentor) Stephen Tate EPRI (OSU, CSM, UTK mentor) Foss Jiao, Huys Industries

Thrust Committee Co-Chair: Bill Hamel, UTK

3. Materials / Microstructure / Weldability

Goal is to develop a better understanding of the fundamentals associated with failure mechanisms. Create new and revolutionary ways to quantify the materials weldability/printability and seek standardization. Study the interconnected effects of microstructure, thermo-mechanical history and composition on weldability/printability. Explore real-time NDT techniques to monitor joints and printed components. Better understanding of long term predictability of joints and printed materials.

Thrust Committee Chair: Martin McDonnell, GVSC (OSU, UTK mentor) Jeff Rodelas, Sandia, (CSM, PSU Mentor)

Thrust Committee Co-Chair: Carolin Fink, The Ohio State University & Dr. Elliot Biro, University of Waterloo