Andrew Neils, PhD

Materials Science Research

Materials Science. There are 115 elements with only about 60 being commonly used. Therefore there are still a seemingly infinite number of permutations of these elements, or alloys, to be investigated, with each material having unique properties. In addition to exploiting different material combinations, their processing (i.e extrusion, 3D printing, forging, etc.) method can also be prescriptively modified to tune the resulting material properties. As an example, fast cooling metal castings through water quenching can result in the formation of favorable metastable phases with properties different than those of the most thermodynamically stable phase of the same material.

Research. My research thrusts are at the intersection of materials development, metallurgy and mechanics of materials. I rely on the process-structure-property paradigm in materials science to investigate how to make structural materials stronger, lighter and tougher and functional materials and coatings more corrosion resistant and thermally stable (i.e. materials for extreme environments). 

Applications. My research in additive manufacturing is performed to meet the challenges of manufacturers within Maine and New England region as well as the greater scientific community. Industries supported include aerospace, biomedical, and defense. Further, measurement science and specifically the application of data analytics and artificial intelligence/machine learning is leveraged to predict, qualify or modify additively manufactured as-fabricated part properties in-situ.

Partnering. Please get in touch to discuss partnering or educational opportunities with our Roux Engineering team. For more information: Engineering Research – Roux Institute at Northeastern University