Research Team
Faculty
Diana A. Lados
Milton Prince Higgins II Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Founder and Director,
iMdc
+1-508-831-6168; lados@wpi.edu
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B.S./M.S., Polytechnic University of Bucharest, 1997
M.S., Southern Illinois University, 1999
Ph.D., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2004
Dr. Diana Lados is the Milton Prince Higgins II Distinguished Professor at WPI, and the Founder and Director of the Integrative Materials Design Center (iMdc), an industry-government-university consortium established at WPI in 2007, dedicated to advancing the frontiers of sustainable materials-process-component design and manufacturing for high-performance and reliability.
Dr. Lados is credited with significant research contributions in the areas of materials design, characterization, evaluation, optimization and computational modeling for fatigue, fatigue crack growth, and high-temperature performance, as well as for her original and integrated work in materials processing and advanced manufacturing, including additive manufacturing, cold spray processing, friction stir welding, and metal matrix nano-composites.
Professor Lados is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including Alpha Sigma Mu Fellow-Class of 2018, ASM Fellow-Class of 2017, 2014 Brimacombe Medal from TMS, 2014 Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award from SAE, 2013 Inaugural Constance Tipper Silver Medal from the World Academy of Structural Integrity, 2012 ASM Silver Medal, a "Woman to Watch" in New England for innovation and leadership, an NSF-CAREER Award, and was chosen in 2010 by the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) to participate in the prestigious Frontiers of Engineering symposia for both exceptional research and innovative education.
Professor Lados has more than 85 publications, 280 technical presentations and invited lectures, and several book and patent contributions. She is a member of several professional societies (including ASM, TMS, Alpha Sigma Mu, Sigma Xi), organized symposia at international conferences, and chaired several committees (including Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A Board of Review, Material Advantage Committee, WPI Chapter of Sigma Xi, Central Massachusetts Chapter of ASM). Dr. Lados serves on the ASM Board of Trustees, is the ASM's Awards Policy Committee Chair, and the President of Alpha Sigma Mu.
Professor Lados is a firm believer and a devoted advocate of the new design philosophy based on material-process-component integration. She is consistently promoting this design paradigm through her research and disseminating it through publications, presentations, panel discussions, and lectures at national and international conferences, workshops, professional group meetings, internal corporate meetings. Her integrative design research has built connectivity within the field of Materials Science and interdisciplinary bridges between Materials Science and Mechanical Engineering. Industrial corporations such as General Motors, Mercury Marine, Alcoa, Alcan, NASA, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Pratt and Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand, Air Force, PANalytical, FTA/Laboratory Testing, INC well as ASTM standards such as E647 use the knowledge and the techniques developed by Professor Lados for advanced materials/process design and sustainable manufacturing.
Anthony Spangenberger, III
Assistant Research Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Associate Director, iMdc
+1-774-242-7847;
aspangenberger@wpi.edu
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B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2012
Ph.D., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2017 (iMdc)
Dr. Spangenberger received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 2012 from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Ph.D in Materials Science and Engineering in 2017 as part of the iMdc team. His doctoral thesis was sponsored by a 5-year NSF-CAREER Award, and focused on investigation of fundamental microstructural mechanisms of fatigue crack growth in cast Al alloys, computational modeling of fatigue crack growth at the microstructural scale, and development of design tools to promote engineering for fatigue crack growth resistance. His doctoral work was recognized with the Graduate Research and Achievement Day Best Ph.D. Thesis Award (WPI GRAD Day 2013) and Sigma Xi Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis Award (2017).
Dr. Spangenberger's research interests include investigation of mechanisms of fatigue crack growth in light structural metals, novel manufacturing and mechanical testing methods, solid mechanics modeling, development of scale-bridging techniques for integrative computational modeling of damage phenomena, and integration of fundamental research with industrial design practices.
Awards
GRAD13 Research Achievement Day, Poster Competition Engineering Session (Ph.D.), 1st Prize
2017 Sigma Xi Outstanding Ph.D. Thesis Award
John M. Sullivan, Jr.
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Associate Department Head
+1-508-831-5199; sullivan@wpi.edu
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Professional Website
B.S. Zoology, University of Massachusetts, 1973
B.S. Mec.E., University of Massachusetts, 1977
M.S. Mec.E., University of Massachusetts, 1978
D.E. Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, 1986
Professor Sullivan's areas of research include:
1. Development of user interactive grid generation and deployment systems
2. Development of graphics tools and strategies to facilitate nonlinear data interpretation in the biomedical engineering field
3. Numerical solutions of partial differential equations in engineering science
4. Development of 3D tools for registration and segmentation of medical image data
Cosme Furlong
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering; Center for Holographic
Studies and Laser micro-mechaTronics - CHSLT
+1-508-831-5126; cfurlong@wpi.edu
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Professional
Website
B.Eng., University of the Americas, Puebla, Mexico, 1989
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 1992
Ph.D., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 1999
Professor Furlong's areas of research include:
1. Hybrid, computational and experimental, solution methodologies
2. Optical nondestructive testing and applications
3. Coherent and incoherent optical metrology
4. MEMS/MOEMS and fiber-optic sensors and actuators
Affiliations and involvement:
1. Lecturer, Harvard Medical School, Boston
2. Research Affiliate, Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary, Boston
3. Associate Editor, Experimental Techniques
4. National and International Symposia Organizer/Co-organizer: SEM, SPIE, OSA
Germano S. Iannacchione
Professor of Physics and Department Head
+1-508-831-5420;
gsiannac@wpi.edu@wpi.edu
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Personal
Website
B.S., University of Akron, 1987
M.S., University of Akron, 1990
Ph.D., Kent State University, 1993
Professor Iannacchione's areas of research include:
1. Experimental study of order-disorder phenomena in soft-condensed matter systems
2. Novel phase transitions and critical phenomena
3. Thermo-physical properties of liquid crystals, polymers, proteins, biomaterials, metals, and complex composites
4. Development of new experimental techniques for calorimetery, transport, light-scattering, and optical microscopy
Affiliations and involvement:
1. Director, Nuclear Science and Engineering Program at WPI
2. Director, Masters of Science in Physics for Educators Program at WPI
Nikhil Karanjgaokar
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineer
+1-508-831-6757;
nkaranjgaokar@wpi.edu
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B.Tech., National Institute of Technology Calicut, India 2006
M.S., Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, 2007
Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2013
Professor Karanjgaokar's areas of research include:
1. Experimental mechanics at micro/nano-scale
2. Temperature and rate dependent mechanics of nanostructured materials and interfaces
3. Dynamic response of materials
4. Mechanics and damage of heterogeneous materials
Affiliations and involvement:
1. Secretary, MEMS and Nanotechnology Technical Division at SEM
2. National and International Symposia Organizer/Co-organizer: SEM
Christopher J. Larsen
Professor of Mathematical Sciences
+1-508-831-6124;
cjlarsen@wpi.edu
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Personal
Website
B.S., Carnegie Mellon University, 1989
J.D., University of Maryland, 1992
M.S., Carnegie Mellon University, 1994
Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University, 1996
Professor Larsen's areas of research include:
1. Partial Differential Equations
2. Calculus of Variations
3. Geometric Measure Theory
4. Applications to Materials Science, especially Fracture Mechanics
Professional Highlights:
1. Lecturer, Park City Mathematics Institute - Institute for Advanced Study, 2014
2. Leverhulme Visiting Professor
3. Visiting positions at Caltech, Oxford, University of Paris IX, University of Paris XIII
4. NSF Principal Investigator since 2005, with individual research funding over $900,000
Research Staff
Xiang Chen
Research Scientist, iMdc
+1-508-762-2597; xiangchen@wpi.edu
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B.S., North University of China, China, 2006
M.S., Central South University, China, 2009
Ph.D., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2014 (iMdc)
Mr. Chen received his B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering in 2006 from North University of China and his M.S. in Materials Science in 2009 from Central South University, China. After graduating from Central South University, he started his Ph.D. program in Material Science and Engineering at WPI in September 2009. He joined the iMdc team in December 2009.
His B.S. research was focused on the strain hardening behavior and
dynamic performance of cast magnesium alloys. During his M.S. program
he conducted a microalloying study in ultra-high strength Al-Zn-Mg-Cu
alloys, sponsored by the National Basic Research Program of China. His
M.S. work included solidification processing and heat treatment, alloy
design, recrystallization behavior, tensile fracture, stress corrosion
cracking, intergranular corrosion and exfoliation corrosion.
Xiang's Ph.D. research is focused on the in-situ processing of nano-scale metal matrix composites, and the high temperature response and creep behavior of these materials.
Awards
2013 ASM Chet Inman Award for research excellence and contributions to ASM.
Graduate Students
Andrew Amkreutz
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, 2024
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, 2024
Andrew received his Bachelor of Science and Master's of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2024 from WPI. He is now currently pursuing his doctorate. Andrew's doctoral research is focused on oxygen sensitivity, residual stress modeling, and fatigue optimization of the additive friction stir deposition (AFSD) process.
Akshatha C. Dixith
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.E., Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, India, 2015
M.Sc., TU Dortmund, Germany, 2018
Akshatha received her Master of Science degree in Manufacturing Technology from TU Dortmund, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Akshatha's doctoral research is focused on computational modeling of additively manufactured Ti- and Al- alloys for studying porosity and fatigue crack initiation.
Edward Enyedy
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, 2024
Mr. Enyedy received his Bachelor of Science degree in Robotics Engineering and Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Edward - or Eddy's - interests are hands-on design & prototyping, CAD, and microstructural failure mechanisms.
Hayden Furcolo
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, 2020
Mr. Furcolo received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Hayden's doctoral research is focused on the qualification of very high cycle fatigue methods, high-temperature fatigue, microstructural damage accumulation, and cast Al alloys.
Deepali Patil
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B. Tech., College of Engineering Pune, India, 2016
M.Sc., California State Polytechnic University Pomona, 2019
Deepali received her Master of Science in Materials Engineering from Cal Poly Pomona, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Deepali's doctoral research is focused on computational modeling of additively manufactured Al-alloys for studying the microstructural evolution and its effect on the mechanical properties.
Matheus Rocha
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.E., University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2018
Matheus received her Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Massachuetts Lowell, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Materials Science at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Rodrigo M Romero
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Tecnológico de Monterrey, 2024
Rodrigo Romero earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, in 2024. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) under the mentorship of Professor Diana Lados.
Jake Scarponi
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, 2020
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, 2021
Jake received his Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering in 2020 from WPI with a Minor in Materials Science and Engineering, and subsequently completed his Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering the following year. Having worked in the commercial aerospace industry as a structural engineer, Jake’s doctoral research is focused on the qualification of very high cycle fatigue testing methods and postprocessing of additively manufactured titanium alloys.
Jiahan Sun
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.S., University of Connecticut, Storrs, 2024
Jiahan received his Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering with a Minor in Economics from the University of Connecticut. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the same field at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
iMdc Past Researchers and Graduate Students
Chris Collins
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 2012
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, 2016
Timothy Piette
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2016
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, 2019 (iMdc)
Matt Ryder
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, 2016
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, 2017 (iMdc)
Chris Sample
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, 2016
Xiangbin Wang
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.S., University of Science and Technology Beijing, China, 2014
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2016 (iMdc)
Bonnie Whitney
Ph.D. Student, iMdc
B.S., Materials Science and Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2017
Tiantian Zhang
B.Eng., Imperial College London, United Kingdom, 2011
Ph.D., Imperial College London, United Kingdom, 2015
Research Scientist, iMdc, 2018
Robert Warren
B.Eng., Swansea University, UK, 2011
Eng.D., Swansea University, UK, 2015
Research Scientist, iMdc, 2018
Yuwei Zhai
B.S., Xi'an University of Science and Technoloyg, China, 2011
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2014
Ph.D., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2018 (iMdc)
Research Scientist, iMdc, 2019
Awards
GRAD14 Research Achievement Day, Poster Competition Engineering Session (M.S.), 1st Prize
2014 Sigma Xi Outstanding Master's Thesis Award
2014-2015 Stoddard Fellowship
Anthony Spangenberger, III
Ph.D. Student & Research scientist, iMdc
B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2012
Ph.D., Worcester Polytechnic Institute 2017 (iMdc)
Research Scientist, iMdc, 2019
Awards
GRAD13 Research Achievement Day, Poster Competition Engineering Session (Ph.D.), 1st Prize
Anastasios G. Gavras
B.S., National Technical University of Athens, 2006
M.S., National Technical University of Athens, 2007
Ph.D., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2012 (iMdc)
Awards:
2011 ASM Chet Inman Award for research excellence and contributions to ASM
2012 Best Ph.D. Thesis in Engineering at WPI
Yi Pan
B.S., Nanjing University, China, 2012
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2014
Ph.D., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2019 (iMdc)
Karim A. Elsayed
B.S./M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2018
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2020 (iMdc)
Joshua Morales
B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2014
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2019 (iMdc)
Jeffrey Porzio
B.S., Ithaca College, US, 2014
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2019 (iMdc)
Theofilos Gatsos
B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2017
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2019 (iMdc)
Haize Galarraga
M.S., Engineering School of Bilbao, University of the Basque Country, Spain, 2003
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2016 (iMdc)
Hayley Sandgren
B.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2013
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2014 (iMdc)
Awards
GRAD14 Research Achievement Day, Poster Competition Engineering Session (M.S.), 3rd Prize
Ye Cao
B.S., Beijing University of Technology, China, 2010
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2013 (iMdc)
Andrew Biro
B.S., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 2010
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2012 (iMdc)
Awards:
2012 Chet Inman Award, ASM International - Central Massachusetts
Chapter
Brendan F. Chenelle
B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, 2008
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2010 (iMdc)
Awards:
2011 Sigma Xi Outstanding Master's Thesis Award
Christopher J. Lammi
B.S., Physics, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
M.S., Worcester Polytechnic Institute, 2009 (iMdc)
Industry Leadership - Steering Committee
Brad Boyce
Sandia National Laboratories
Colette Fennessy
Collins Aerospace
Mark Hardy
Rolls-Royce
Robert Hathaway
Oshkosh Corporation
Fred Major (Advisor)
Rio Tinto Alcan (retired)
Rodney Riek (Advisor)
Harley-Davidson (retired)
Miguel Sanchez
Superior Industries
Lin Zhang
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Last modified: Dec 10, 2024, 20:03 UTC