Professor Colin Hall (UniSA), Dr. Anthony Roccisano (UniSA), Dr. Elias J. G. Arcondoulis (Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania), Dr. Christiane Schulz (UniSA & LaserBond Ltd), and Dr. Thomas Schläfer (LaserBond Ltd).

Biography:

Md Jonaet Ansari graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Mechanical Engineering from Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Bangladesh, in 2016. He subsequently completed his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Mechanical and Automotive Engineering at the University of Ulsan, South Korea, in 2020. His master’s thesis focused on developing a predictive system for calculating temperature distribution, residual stress, and deformation in 3D-printed parts.

In 2021, Jonaet commenced his PhD in Energy and Advanced Manufacturing at the University of South Australia, where he became an integral member of the Future Industries Institute and the ARC Training Centre SEAM (Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials). His PhD thesis, titled “On the Acoustic Emission-Based Identification and Localisation of Process-Induced Cracks in Laser-Based Directed Energy Deposition,” introduces an acoustic emission (AE)-based process monitoring methodology for detecting and localizing cracks in components fabricated during the DED-LB/M process. His research developed a novel signal-processing approach that analyses raw acoustic signals by computing second-order derivatives and examining amplitude decay characteristics to distinguish crack-related acoustic events from ambient noise and external disturbances.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonaetansari29/

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Thesis title: Enhancement of mining components through High-Speed Laser Cladding (EHLA)

Thesis synopsis: The mining industry has been looking for solutions to reduce environmental damage and increase the profit of its processes. For this reason, many of the components used in mining are repaired and refurbished, as the use of coatings can increase the lifespan of used components and improve some properties, such as hardness and corrosion resistance. The use of hard chrome as a coating for the repair and refurbishment of components used in the mining industry is widely used. Although hard chrome plated parts have excellent corrosion and wear resistance and a low coefficient of friction, hard chrome plating use is being restricted over time because of the environmental impacts and negative health effects on people coming from the process. Conventional laser cladding is a technique with less environmental impact that can also be used as an option to repair and refurbish parts; however, it has low productivity and the metal base can have high heat input, which can cause defects and future cracks on the coating. High-speed laser cladding is a technique that differs from conventional laser cladding because it has the powder melted in flight above the substrate where the laser is focused on, thus gaining in productivity and less impact on the base metal, in addition to greater grain refinement due to at a higher deposition rate. The outcome of this project is to find materials and process conditions that can be used as a coating for repair and refurbishment components used in the mining industry.

Bruno Felipe Andrade Bezerra is a PhD Candidate with SEAM at Swinburne University of Technology. Bruno’s desire to work with coatings and corrosion problems started during his studies at the University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, where he was also awarded a Master of Science and Technology of Materials. Bruno first started to work with HVOF coatings in Brazil, continuing his studies and experience with an internship in Belgium at OCAS, working with maraging steels. After successfully completing his undergraduate studies Bruno decided to further study the area of coatings and their corrosion problems. He explored organic coatings during his master studies which have brought him to Australia to further his research at Swinburne.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruno-felipe-andrade-bezerra-b06566131/

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Ting Chong Chen holds an Honours degree in Bachelor of Science. He did his Honours project on conducting polymer coating and awarded First Class for his thesis on Oxidant Dependent Morphology of Vapour Deposited PEDOT. Since then he developed a strong interest in research and development. Ting recently started his PhD candidature with SEAM as part of the Thin Film Coating Group in the Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia. Currently, he is working on an industrial project from Santos to investigate copper poisoning in HDPE pipe under the guidance of Professor Nikki Stanford. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tingchong-chen7193/

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Thesis title: Study and Characterisation of Edge Preparation and Surface Finish on Modern Precision Cutting Tool 

Thesis synopsis: Cutting tools are at the heart of advanced manufacturing technologies today, supporting industries ranging from automotive to aerospace. In these precision tools, the necessity of edge preparation and surface finish cannot be overstated. The main benefits include increasing edge strength by removing surface imperfections, precisely shaping the cutting edge through rounding or chamfering, and improving surface finish for longer tool life and coatibility. This study investigates a variety of edge preparation techniques, ranging from drag finishing and wet micro-abrasive blasting to electrolytic polishing, with a particular focus on materials such as tungsten carbide and high-speed steels. These prepared edges are then thoroughly examined using an array of microscopy, spectroscopy, and microhardness tests to determine their quality and performance capabilities. The study’s goal is to develop an optimized protocol for achieving unparalleled surface quality using a custom-built electropolishing apparatus. In addition, the study looks at thin-film coatings like TiN, TiC, Ti(C,N), (Ti, Al)N, and Al₂O₃, as well as nanoindentation tests and pre- and post-coating cleaning processes. Finally, these findings are intended to shed light on multimillion-dollar investments in machining technologies by industry partner, bridging the gap between academic research and practical applications.

Minh Nhat Dang is a multifaceted materials scientist with an enriching blend of both research and industrial experience. Currently holding a PhD scholarship at the ARC SEAM, Minh stands out not only in academic circles but also in extracurricular leadership. Since high school, he has served as president and advisor in music, martial arts, and science clubs, and recently retired from his role as President of an engineering postgraduate association at Swinburne. Minh graduated second in his class with a BSc. in Nanotechnology from Vietnam-France University and earned Boston fellowship to learn from experts from Harvard and MIT. Prior to embarking on his doctoral journey, he served in several key roles such as Laboratories Manager and Principal Investigator in Vietnam’s top academic institutions in both national and private projects, developing nanomaterials ranging from gold nanoparticles, 3D-printed polymer, metal-organic framework, ultra-high strength concrete, transition-metal dichalcogenides to nanocarbon for diverse applications such as environment cleanup, biosensor, infra-construction, jewellery crafting and clean energy. Minh has received numerous prizes and awards for research presentation including photography and designing abilities, and he has accumulated a portfolio of 20 journal publications, conference papers, and patents. His current PhD project is industry-funded, targeting the development of nano-smooth surface finish and edge preparation methodologies for high-speed steel and tungsten carbide cutting tools, with a focus on titanium nitride thin-film coatings. Minh’s over three years as a Research Intern at Sutton Tools, the leading tool manufacturer in Australia, has now led to an offering position as an EPX Application Engineer at ANCA, a global leader in CNC and machining technology. Minh was recently named commendable Postgraduate of the Year at Swinburne’ School of Engineering for his PhD excellence. His career exemplifies his diverse skill set and unwavering dedication to advancing the state of the art in materials science and nanotechnology.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solarlight-dark/

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Minh-Dang-5

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Thesis Title: Application of Machine Learning in Cold Spray

Thesis Abstract: Cold Spray (CS) is a coating process in which powder particles are accelerated to supersonic speeds without melting them before they impinge on a surface. It can be used to spray thin coatings onto surfaces or to create 3D objects. Process parameters and materials affect the characteristics of manufactured parts and therefore must be chosen with care. Data-driven models based on Machine Learning (ML) techniques have been applied in the field of Additive manufacturing to support this process. Machine Learning models can learn patterns and develop general rules from vast quantities of inter-related data and outputs from an identified additive manufacturing process, which can be applied subsequently to make predictions. The outcome of this work is to apply ML algorithms in CS to predict process results.

Biography: Martin Eberle joined SEAM in 2020 as a PhD Candidate with SEAM, at the Swinburne University node. He graduated from Technical University Kaiserslautern, Germany and was awarded a Master of Engineering. In his Bachelor and Master studies he worked on projects related to material science and additive manufacturing. Martin has also worked as a Project Manager in the pharmaceutical and in the logistics industry. After completing his PhD in 2024, Martin joined the Melbourne-based cold spray company Titomic as an engineer.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-eberle-1b9361172/

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Thesis Title: Additive manufacturing of structural elements via Laser Metal Deposition: Microstructure, Mechanical and Performance characterization 

Thesis synopsis: This study investigated the potential of multi-kilowatt off-axis Laser Metal Deposition (LMD) as a method of 3D printing robust metallic elements. By optimizing processing parameters, including laser power and scan beam settings, the study successfully produced 3D stainless steel structures suitable for industrial applications. These structures exhibited consistent mechanical properties, reduced residual stresses, and superior wear and corrosion resistance compared to conventionally fabricated counterparts. Post-processing heat treatment has further adjusted the mechanical properties of the LMD stainless steel material, making it suitable for repair or modification of industrial gear components. These findings confirm the viability of LMD for remanufacturing industrial parts and highlight the benefits of using high power off-axis LMD techniques in metal Additive Manufacturing.

Andre Hatem is an experienced Mechanical Engineer holding a doctorate in energy and advanced manufacturing. He specializes in materials science and surface engineering at the Future Industries Institute (University of South Australia). Currently, he is engaged in research and consultancy activities, collaborating with industry partners to bolster Australia’s manufacturing sector. In his recent project at the Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Training Centre in Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials (SEAM), Andre focused on applying additive manufacturing and surface modification through laser cladding. The research facilitated the production of structurally sound 3D-printed stainless-steel parts suitable for large-scale industrial use, promoting digitization and competitiveness in Australia’s manufacturing sector.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrehatem/

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=E0pJ-84AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=sra

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Andre-Hatem

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57194764819

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Thesis title: Optical and Structural Properties of Metallic Glasses and Composites

Thesis synopsis: High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are alloys consisting of five or more principal elements at equimolar ratios, developed by Prof. Yeh in the early 2000s. These alloys are desired due to their comprehensive mechanical and chemical properties, such as corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and thermostability. Even though HEAs are studied extensively for their applications, the fundamental properties of HEAs remain largely unexplored. The most common studies are on their characterisation and investigation on their grain or crystal structures. However, studies on their elemental connectivity are still lacking. Hsin-Hui’s project aims to understand the fundamentals of HEAs with the help of X-ray and THz spectroscopy methods as well as synchrotron and free-electron laser facilities. Through her studies, we aim to gain fundamental knowledge of the relation between elemental connectivity and their mechanical or chemical properties. This is helpful for future HEAs design.

Hsin-Hui Huang was featured in April 2024 edition of the Materials Australia Magazine

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hsinhui-huang-53a67712/

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Thesis title: Multi-objective optimisation of additively manufactured components subject to multiphysics loading

Jim Jose obtained his Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics from Glasgow Caledonian University (Scotland, United Kingdom). He joined RMIT in 2018 as a research assistant working on various projects including the development of an automated electrochemical robot for corrosion testing, virtual lab training using HoloLens, and portable water testing devices. Subsequently, he transitioned into the industry in 2020 to work for XRF Scientific group as an R&D engineer for product development. With a passion for industrial research and development, Jim has since joined RMIT as a PhD candidate in 2022, working closely with his industry partner, Romar Engineering, to investigate modelling methods for optimising conformally cooled, heat exchangers under multi-physics loading for additive manufacturing. Through this project, Jim aims to achieve research outcomes that will provide capability to rapidly design optimised additively manufactured parts and hence, translating to strong commercial benefits for the Australian additive manufacturing industry.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-jose-94513443/

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Thesis title: Addressing ash-related challenges from biomass combustion using ceramic and composite coatings 

Although the use of biomass as an energy source has been growing, some challenges related to biomass combustion are inevitable and they can negatively affect the efficiency and performance of the boiler. The degradation of the boiler is a result from high temperature corrosion from corrosive compounds released from biomass combustion and erosive wear due to impingement of solid particles. 

The new desired coatings to address the challenges must be capable of reducing slagging deposition and corrosion attack from biomass combustion, contain both tough and hard phases to resist erosion as well as be compatible to the existing substrate in a practical working environment. According to previous studies, metal-based Ni-Cr coating has shown excellent corrosion and erosion resistance in a practical boiler environment. In addition, it is evident that adding appropriate content of ceramic phase to the coatings as a reinforcing hard material can enhance erosion resistance of the coatings. This aims are to implement these finding to create a new generation of composite coatings that positively modify surface properties such as resistance to corrosion, wear and oxidation to prolong the life span of the boiler component and improve its performance. 

Kritkasem Khantisopon (Kris) is a Bachelor of Science graduate majoring in Materials Science from Chulalongkorn University (Bangkok, Thailand).  He has a passionate interest in materials used in severe environments. During his undergraduate study, he worked on synthesizing boron carbide from sucrose and boric acid using hydrothermal method. He also had the opportunity to do his summer internship at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia via the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE). With SEAM Kris is working on developing new coatings to minimize ash-related challenges in industrial boilers and developing a new insulation coating for pipe transporting high temperature fluids. 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/k-khantisopon/

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Currently, Nam Mai is pursuing a PhD in Energy and Advanced Manufacturing at the University of South Australia, which he began in 2022.  His PhD project, entitled “Anti-corrosion Coating for the Hydrogen Economy,” is conducted as an integral part of the SEAM team.  His research focuses on developing an inner surface coating for natural gas pipelines that provides resistance to both corrosion and hydrogen embrittlement.  This innovation is crucial for enabling the use of these pipelines for hydrogen transportation in the future.

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