Delivering innovation in manufacturing
The Manufacturing Science Division focuses on the development and implementation of next-generation advanced manufacturing technologies through research and scale-up of new processes and technical capabilities enabling new materials, systems and products. The division has four primary focus areas: composite science and technology, energy and industrial decarbonization, precision manufacturing and machining and secure and digital manufacturing.
Researchers develop technologies to scale up the manufacturing of fiber and composite processes for the fabrication of functional components in energy applications.
Machining research focuses on precision manufacturing and includes the design, implementation and scale-up of next generation manufacturing systems and processes through the integration of robotics, automation, controls, and machine tools.
Secure and digital manufacturing research develops a digital manufacturing platform and a cyber-secure manufacturing ecosystem by integrating a wide variety of manufacturing systems enabled by advanced data analytics, process control and secure communications.
Our strength is our people
The Manufacturing Science Division transforms scientific discoveries into advanced manufacturing technologies with real-world impact.
Groups
Advanced Fibers Manufacturing
Develops and scales advanced fiber materials and manufacturing processes to strengthen domestic supply chains and enable lightweight, high-performance components for energy, transportation, infrastructure, and national security applications.
Group Leader: Merlin Theodore
Advanced Machining and Machine Tools Research
Creates advanced machine tools, machining techniques, sensors, and data-driven solutions to improve the precision, performance, and versatility of conventional and hybrid manufacturing.
Group Leader: Chris Tyler
Advanced Manufacturing System Engineering
Designs, builds, and integrates manufacturing systems to turn new manufacturing concepts into industry-ready functional platforms.
Group Leader: Peter Wang
Chemical Process Scale-Up
Applies multidisciplinary science, from nanoscale insights to full-scale systems, to solve complex chemical conversion challenges and advance renewable fuels and more efficient power generation.
Group Leader: Andrew Sutton
Composites Innovation
Integrates additive and traditional composite manufacturing techniques to develop scalable polymer and composite processes that improve production efficiency and accelerate industry adoption.
Group Leader: Ahmed Hassen
Deposition Science and Technology
Advance the processing and deposition of metals and ceramics for demanding structural and functional applications, from lightweight vehicles and power systems to turbines and spacecraft.
Group Leader: Michael Kirka
Disruptive Manufacturing Systems Development
Integrates robotics, mechanical systems, sensors, and digital technologies to design next-generation manufacturing systems and transform how complex products are built.
Group Leader: Brian Post
Extreme Environment Materials Process
Develops and tests advanced carbon-carbon and ceramic composites that withstand extreme heat, radiation and plasma to support efficient power generation, space exploration, national security, and domestic manufacturing.
Group Leader: Greg Larsen
Manufacturing Energy Efficiency Research & Analysis
Develops and deploys practical tools, technologies and expertise to help manufacturers improve energy and water efficiency, reduce waste, and strengthen US competitiveness.
Group Leader: Sachin Nimbalkar
Manufacturing Robotics and Controls
Develops automated manufacturing systems that integrate robotics, sensing, controls, and data analytics to improve worker conditions, productivity, and product quality.
Group Leader: Joshua Vaughan
Manufacturing Systems Analytics
Combines machine learning, artificial intelligence, and decision science with manufacturing expertise to understand, predict, optimize, and control advanced manufacturing processes.
Group Leader: Vladimir Orlyanchik
Research Application Development
Applies software engineering expertise to develop secure, scalable applications, databases, user interfaces, and connected solutions that advance data-driven manufacturing.
Group Leader: Gina Accawi
Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies
Develops scalable bio-based composites and advanced recycling technologies to reduce manufacturing waste, expand markets for domestic feedstocks, and support more efficient production across industries.
Group Leader: Soydan Ozcan
System Automation and Monitoring Research
Integrates intelligent automation, sensing, process monitoring, and toolpath software to enable safe, reliable next-generation manufacturing platforms.
Group Leader: Amy Elliott
