DESIDERIO KOVAR, Ph.D.

BFGoodrich Endowed Professor in Materials Engineering
Associate Chair for Academics, Department of Mechanical Engineering
and University Distinguished Teaching Professor

Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78712

OTHER UNIVERSITY AFFILIATIONS

Member, Center for Additive Manufacturing and Design Innovation, 2021- present.
Member, Texas Materials Institute, 1998-present.

EDUCATION

University of California at Berkeley, B.S., Materials Science and Engineering, 1990.
Carnegie Mellon University, M.S., Materials Science and Engineering, 1992.
Carnegie Mellon University, Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering, 1995.

BIOSKETCH: Dr. Kovar has been on the faculty at the University of Texas at Austin since 1997. He holds the BFGoodrich Professorship in Materials Engineering and is a University Distinguished Teaching Professor.  Dr. Kovar is a member of the Texas Materials Institute, is affiliated with the Center for Electromechanics, and is a core member of the Center for Additive Manufacturing and Design Innovation at the University of Texas at Austin. He teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in the Materials Engineering area of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.  Dr. Kovar has supervised or co-supervised the independent research of 48 undergraduate students, 23 MS theses, and 19 Ph.D. dissertations and he is currently supervising or co-supervising 10 graduate students. 

Dr. Kovar has received many awards for his teaching and research including the Engineering Foundation Young Faculty Excellence Award from the Cockrell School of Engineering (2000), the Teaching Excellence Award from the Student Engineering Council (2000), the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Jack and Maxine Zarrow Family K-16 Teaching Innovation Award (2014), the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Award for Excellence in Engineering Teaching (2016) and the Mechanical Engineering Department’s Teaching Award (2016). In 2019, he was inducted into the University of Texas at Austin’s Academy of Distinguished Teachers.

In 2013, he founded the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Longhorn Maker Studio, a makerspace equipped with a range of equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, and other equipment that allows students to take their projects from conceptualization to fabrication. He served as the inaugural Faculty Director for the Longhorn Maker Studio from its inception until March of 2016, when a full-time director was hired, and the facility was renamed Texas Inventionworks. From 2012-2016, he chaired the Mechanical Engineering Department’s curriculum committee, where he spearheaded a number of successful reforms that improved student learning and significantly increased student retention.  This included a college-wide reorganization of the mathematics curriculum in Engineering. In 2018, he headed the effort to create the Materials Science and Engineering minor, the first minor in Engineering and has served as the faculty advisor for the minor since its inception. From 2005-2018, he served as Graduate Advisor for the Materials Science and Engineering Graduate Program, which has an enrollment of approximately 80 MS and Ph.D. students. In 2012, he was recognized as the University of Texas’ Outstanding Graduate Advisor. He served as Area Coordinator for the Materials Engineering Area of Mechanical Engineering from 2017-2022 and currently is the Associate Chair for Academics for the Mechanical Engineering Department. He is active in the American Ceramic Society's Basic Science Division and is a member of the organizing committee for the International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, one of the largest academic conferences dedicated to additive manufacturing.

Dr. Kovar research interests lie at the interface between materials science and engineering and additive manufacturing. He has published over 100 journal articles, conference proceedings, patents, and reports. His research is centered on additive manufacturing (3D printing) of patterned films and bulk ceramics parts. He is studying micro-cold spray manufacturing, which allows metallic, ceramic, and composite films to be directly written at room temperature onto almost any substrate material. He is also developing selective laser flash sintering, a new additive manufacturing process he co-invented for producing bulk ceramics.  His work has been funded by the National Science Foundation, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, the Army Research Laboratory, the Office of Naval Research, the US Department of Energy as well as a number of corporate sponsors.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Visiting Scientist, Materials Science and Engineering Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, March 1994 - February 1995

Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Michigan, March 1995 - July 1997

Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, September 1997 - August 2003

Visiting Professor, Ecole Centrale de Lille/Institut d'Électronique et de MicrolÉlectronique du Nord (IEMN), Lille, France, June 2000-July 2000

Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, September 2003 - August 2011 

Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, September 2011 - present 

SELECTED ADMINISTRATIVE AND SERVICE EXPERIENCE

• Graduate Advisor, Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Texas at Austin, 2005 - 2018.

  • Responsible for the day-to-operation of the graduate program in Materials Science and Engineering (approximately 60 students).

• Chair, Sosman Award Committee, Basic Science Division, American Ceramic Society, 2004-2005.

  • Responsible for selecting the winner of the most prestigious prize awarded by the Basic Science Division.

• Chair, Basic Science Division Nominations Committee, American Ceramic Society, 2004-2005.

  • Responsible for nominated officers for the Basic Science Division.

• Chair, Mechanical Engineering Dept. Safety and Security Committee, 2000-2006.

  • Developed and implemented a plan to eliminate thousands of unwanted and unused chemicals from the Mechanical Engineering Building.

• Chair, University of Texas at Austin Standing Committee of the General Faculty: Information Technology Committee, 2006-2008.

  • Wrote the legislation to create this committee and later served as Chair.

• Member, University of Texas at Austin Faculty Council, 2004-2008 & 2014-2016.

  • Served two terms on the University's governing body that represents faculty interests.

• Chair, Mechanical Engineering Department Curriculum Committee, University of Texas at Austin, 2012-2016.

  • Led the effort to innovate the ME curriculum to improve student retention (1st and 2nd year retention approximately doubled) by significantly modifying the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year curriculum.

• Co-Chair, ad hoc Math-Engineering Committee, 2013-2017.

  • Committee was responsible for a top-to-bottom restructuring of the math curriculum for all Engineering students.

• Founding Director, Longhorn Maker Studio (now Texas Inventionworks), University of Texas at Austin, 2014- 2016.

  • Led the effort to secure funding, purchase equipment, and hire staff and students to start the Cockrell School of Engineering's maker space.

• Materials Engineering Area Coordinator, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2016 - 2022.

  • Manage teaching assignments, research and laboratory infrastructure, faculty assessments, and other day-to-day responsibilities for the Materials Engineering Area of Mechanical Engineering (~15 faculty).

• Chair and Faculty Advisor, Materials Science and Engineering Minor Committee, 2016-present.

  • Committee proposed and implemented (effective Fall 2018) a minor in Materials Science and Engineering (the first minor in the Cockrell School of Engineering).

• Chair, Mechanical Engineering Department Chair Search Committee, 2019-2021.

• Member, Organizing Committee, Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, 2019-present.

• Associate Chair for Academics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin,  September 2022-present.

AWARDS

• Charles Martin Hall Award, Aluminum Association of America, Best Paper, 1990.

• Teaching Excellence Award, Student Engineering Council, University of Texas at Austin, 2000.

• Engineering Foundation Young Faculty Excellence Award (one selected at UT Austin each year), College of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2000.

• William J. Murray Jr. Fellowship in Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2004-2016.

• Listed in Who’s Who in Science and Engineering, 2007-present.

• Outstanding Graduate Advisor (one selected at UT Austin each year), University of Texas at Austin, 2012.

• Jack and Maxine Zarrow Family K-16 Teaching Innovation Award (one selected in the Cockrell School of Engineering every few years), Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2014.

• Mechanical Engineering Department Award for Teaching Excellence (One selected in the Department of Mechanical Engineering each year), University of Texas at Austin, 2016.

• Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company Award for Excellence in Engineering Teaching (one selected at UT Austin each year), Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2016.

• E.C.H. Bantel Professorship, Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2016-2019.

• BFGoodrich Endowed Professorship, Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, 2019-present.

• Elected to the University of Texas at Austin's  Academy of Distinguished Teachers, 2019.

MEMBERSHIPS IN PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES

The American Ceramic Society

Materials Research Society 

CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS

Processing and microstructure/property relations of materials. Specific areas of interest include:

• Direct additive manufacturing of ceramics by selective laser flash sintering

• Indirect additive manufacturing of ceramics and metals by selective laser sintering and selective laser melting

• Direct-writing of patterned thick films and micro-scale devices by micro-cold spray and cold spray

CURRENT SUPPORT

•  Los Alamos National Laboratory, “Advanced Manufacturing Research & Development,” (PI M. Pryor, co-P.I.s S. Landsberger and D. Kovar)  December 20, 2021 – December 19, 2026. $5,111,234, (my share = $613,348)

• National Science Foundation, “Mechanisms for Film Formation During Room Temperature Micro Cold Spray of Ceramics,” (P.I. D. Kovar, co-P.I. M.F. Becker), June 1, 2021 – May 31, 2025. $432,013.

• Sandia National Laboratories “Single Microscale Particle Impacts,” November 1, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024. $65,158.

• Cockrell School of Engineering, “Proposal for Funding from Braden Program: Training Mechanical Engineering Students to Work in Teams,” (w/ Maddie Holland, Moody College of Communications) $30,891. June 1, 2023 – May 31, 2024.

• DARPA, “Embedded, Chipless RFID Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring of Additively Manufactured Parts, DARPA-PA-23-03-06-SENSE-FP-022, PI, M. Cullinan, Co-PIs D. Kovar, J.J. Beaman, S. Salvatore, A. Hanson, S. Li, D. Leigh, and J. Allison. $600,000 for phase 1. February 1, 2024-January 31, 2025.

• Army Research Laboratory, “Convergent Manufacturing for Electronic and Structural Applications,” PI D. Kovar, Co-PIs Michael Gammage, Chih-Hao Chang, Michael Cullinan, and Zhenghui Sha, $400,000. Feb. 2, 2024-Feb. 1, 2025.

• Air Force of Scientific Research/National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining, “Flash Sintering Development,” (P.I. J.J. Beaman, co-P.I. D. Kovar), $400,000, February 22, 2024 – August 21, 2025.

Publications

JOURNAL ARTICLES

S.  Bierschenk and D. Kovar, “A Nozzle Design for Mitigating Particle Slowing in the Bow Shock Region during Micro-Cold Spray of 8-YSZ Films,” Journal of Aerosol Science, 179 106360 (16 pages) (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2024.106360

A. Moyers, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “A Strain Density Function to Analyze Particle Size Effects During High Velocity Impacts of Yttria,” Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 107 [6] pp. 3925-3944 (2024). DOI: 10.1111/jace.19708

T.V. Chitrakar, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “Influence of Crystallographic Orientation on the Deformation of Ag Nanoparticles During High-Speed Impact,” Journal of Thermal Spray Technology, 32 pp. 2683–2700 (2023). DOI:10.1007/s11666-023-01664-5

S. Bierschenk, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “Effect of an Oxide Layer on High Velocity Impact of Tantalum Particles Characterized using Molecular Dynamics,” Applied Surface Science, 640 158394 (15 pages) (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.158394

L.G. Matto, D. Hagen, J.J. Beaman, and D. Kovar, “The Onset of Selective Laser Flash Sintering in Undoped and Doped Lanthanum Chromite,” International Journal of Ceramic Engineering and Science, 5 [6] e10189 (16 pages), 2023.  DOI: 10.1002/ces2.10189

S. Burlison, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “A Molecular Dynamics Study of the Effects of Particle Velocity and Particle Diameter on the Impact Behavior of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles,” Modelling and Simulation in Materials Science and Engineering,” 31 075008 (17 pages) (2023). DOI: 10.1088/1361-651X/acf060

D.  Hagen, D., J.J. Beaman, and D. Kovar, “Mechanisms Responsible for the Onset of Selective Laser Flash Sintering of 8-YSZ, Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 106 [8] pp. 4592-4604 (2023). DOI: 10.1111/jace.19138

S. Bierschenk, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, "Gas and Ceramic Particle Velocities for Micro-Cold Spray," Journal of Aerosol Science, 169 106113 (20 pages) (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2022.10611

D.M. Sassaman, M.S. Ide, J.J. Beaman, and D. Kovar, “A Model for Bonding Mechanisms in Indirect Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Nylon/Alumina Blends” Additive Manufacturing, 59 103163 (11 pages) (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.addma.2022.103163

T.V. Chitrakar, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “A Quantitative Criterion to Predict Atomic Disordering During High Velocity Nanoparticle Impact,” Journal of Aerosol Science, 165 106042 (13 pages) (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2022.106042

D. Hagen, J.J. Beaman, and D. Kovar, “Effects of Inter-Particle Neck Development on the Initiation of Selective Laser Flash Sintering of 8-YSZ," Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 105 [10] pp. 6023-6040 (2022). DOI: 10.1111/jace.18574

D. Davies, A. Moyers, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “Deformation and Film Formation Mechanisms During High Velocity Impact of SiC Nanoparticles,” Journal of Aerosol Science, 163 105997 (18 pages) (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2022.105997

A. Moyers, D. Davies, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “Impact-induced Amorphization in Yttria Nanoparticles: A Molecular Dynamics Survey Study,” Journal of Aerosol Science, 162 105967 (15 pages) (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2022.105976

D.M. Sassaman, M.S. Ide, D. Kovar, and J.J. Beaman, “Design of an In-situ Microscope for Selective Laser Sintering, Additive Manufacturing Letters, 2 100033 (6 pages) (2022). DOI:10.1016/j.addlet.2022.100033.

M.F. Becker and D. Kovar, "A Quantitative Criterion for Predicting Solid-State Disordering During Biaxial, High Strain Rate Deformation" Modelling and Simulation in Materials Science and Engineering, 30 015006 (19 pages) (2022). DOI:10.1088/1361-651X/ac3cca

A. Gouws, D. Hagen, A. Chen, E. Kardoulaki, J.J. Beaman, and D. Kovar, “Onset of Selective Laser Flash Sintering of AlN, International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, 18 [6] 1988-1998 (2021). DOI: 10.1111/ijac.13840

J. Nissen, D. Sassaman, S. Lee, J. Desjardins, J.J. Beaman, and D. Kovar, “Methodology for Determining Design Rules for Helical Channels in Glass Components Produced by Selective Laser Sintering, International Journal of Applied Ceramic Technology, 18 [5] 1751-1763 (2021). DOI: 10.1111/ijac.13778

S. Cortes, N. Cobo-Losey, C. Morris, M.R. Haberman, C.C. Seepersad, and D. Kovar, “Stiffness and Energy Dissipation of Polymer Matrix Composites Containing Embedded Metallic Negative Stiffness Structures,” Journal of Experimental Mechanics, 61 843–858 (2021). DOI: 10.1007/s11340-021-00705-w

J.J.H. McCallister, M.D. Gammage, J.W. Keto, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “Influence of Agglomerate Morphology on Micro-Cold Spray of Ag Nanopowders,” Journal of Aerosol Science, 151 105648 (12 pages) (2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2020.105648.

J.J. Beaman, D.B. Bourell, C.C. Seepersad, and D. Kovar “Additive Manufacturing: Early Past to Current Research, ASME Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 142 [11] 110812 (20 pages) (2020). DOI: 10.1115/1.4048193.

M.F. Becker and D. Kovar, “A Quantitative Criterion for Predicting Solid-State Disordering During High Strain Rate Deformation, Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 33 [6] 065405 (14 pages) (2020). DOI: 10.1088/1361-648X/abc4ef

D. Hagen, J.J. Beaman,  and D. Kovar, “Laser Flash Sintering of YSZ,” Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 103 [2] pp. 800-808 (2020) DOI: 10.1111/jace.16771.

C. Knapp, T. Lienert, P. Burgardt, D. Kovar, “A Model to Predict Deposition Parameters for Directed Energy Deposition: Part I Theory and Modeling,” Rapid Prototyping Journal, 25 [6]  pp. 998-1006 (2019). DOI: 10.1108/RPJ-08-2018-0221.

T.V. Chitrakar, G.J.J. Noiseau, J.W. Keto, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “An Experimental and Computational Study of High-Speed Impact of Ag Nanoparticles,” Journal of Applied Physics,  125, 195104 (13 pages) (2019). DOI: 10.1063/1.5063345.

D. Hagen, D. Kovar, J. Beaman, M. Gammage, “Laser Flash Sintering for Additive Manufacturing of Ceramics,” ARL-TR-8657, March 2019.

J.J.H. McCallister, J.W. Keto,  M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “Influence of Normal Velocity on Microstructure and Density of Films Produced by Nanoparticle Impact,” AIP Advances, 9 035226 (9 pages) (2019). DOI: 10.1063/1.5080949

A. Drach, D. Kovar, J.M. Mikulak, and G.R. Rodin, “The Determination of In-Plane Modulus of Honeycomb Specimens Under Bending,” Journal of the American Ceramic Society, 101 [1] pp. 376–385 (2018). DOI: 10.1111/jace15189

M. Gammage, H. Celio, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, "Coarsening-Resistant Ag Nanoparticles Stabilized on TiOx Nanoparticles," Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 19 276  pp. 1-12 (2017). DOI 10.1007/s11051-017-3981-9 

T.V. Chitrakar, J.W. Keto, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “Particle Deposition and Deformation from High Speed Impaction of Ag Nanoparticles,” Acta Materialia, 135 pp. 252-262 (2017). DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2017.05.062

S.A. Cortes, J. Allison, C. Morris, M.R. Haberman, C.C. Seepersad, and D. Kovar,  “Design, Manufacture and Quasi-static Testing of Metallic Negative Stiffness Structures within a Polymer Matrix,” Experimental Mechanics, 57 [8] pp. 1183-1191 (2017). DOI: 10.1007/s11340-017-0290-2

M.D.  Gammage, S. Stauffer, G. Henkelman, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Ethylene Binding to Au/Cu Alloy Nanoparticles,” Surface Science, 653 pp. 66-70 (2016). DOI:10.1016/j.susc.2016.05.008 

D.M. Correa, T.D. Klatt, S.A. Cortes, M.R. Haberman, D. Kovar, and C.C. Seepersad, “Negative Stiffness Honeycombs for Recoverable Shock Isolation,” Rapid Prototyping Journal,  21 [2] pp. 193 - 200 (2015). DOI: 10.1108/RPJ-12-2014-0182

M. Nahar, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Low Temperature Sintering of Nanoparticulate Ag,” Journal of Electronic Materials, 44 [8] pp. 2559-2565 (2015). DOI: 10.1007/s11664-015-3678-8

M. Asoro, P.J. Ferreira, D. Kovar, "In situ TEM and STEM Studies of Sintering of Ag and Pt Nanoparticles, Acta Materialia,  181 pp. 173-183 (2014). DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2014.08.028

M. Asoro, D. Kovar. and P.J. Ferreira, “Effects of Surface Carbon Coating on Sintering of Silver Nanoparticles: In-situ TEM Observations,” Chemical Communications, 50 [37] pp. 4835 - 4838 (2014). DOI: 10.1039/c4cc01547a

M. Asoro, D. Kovar, and P.J. Ferreira, “In-situ TEM Observations of Sublimation in Silver Nanoparticles”ACS Nano, 7 [9] pp.  7844–7852 (2013). DOI: 10.1021/nn402771j 

J. Ma, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, "Compositional and Microstructural Evolution During Annealing of Terfenol-D Nanoparticulate Films, Journal of Materials Research., 26 [20] pp. 2672-2681 (2011). DOI: 10.1557/jmr.2011.244

S. Rajasekhara, B. Neuner III, C. Zorman, G. Shvets, P.J. Ferreira, D. Kovar, “Influence of Impurities and Planar Defects on the Infrared Properties of Silicon Carbide Films” Appl. Phys. Lett., 98 191904 (3 pages) (2011). DOI: 10.1063/1.3585098 

M. Nahar, I.F. Gallardo, K.L. Gleason, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, "Metal-on-Oxide Nanoparticles Produced Using Laser Ablation of Microparticle Aerosols,"Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 13 pp. 3455-3464 (2011). DOI: 10.1007/s11051-011-0267-5

J. Ma, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Laser Ablation of Nanoparticles and Nanoparticulate, Thick Fe1.92Tb0.3Dy0.7 Films,” Journal of Materials Research, 25 [10] pp. 1733-1740 (2010). DOI: 10.1557/JMR.2010.0234

M.A. Asoro, D. Kovar, Y. Shao-Horn, L.F. Allard, and P.J. Ferreira, “Coalescence and Sintering of Pt Nanoparticles: In-situ Observation by Aberration-Corrected HAADF STEM,” Nanotechnology 21 025701 (6 pages) (2010). DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/21/2/025701 

J. Ma, D.T. O’Brien, and D. Kovar, “Amorphous Terfenol-D Films using Nanosecond Pulsed Laser Deposition,” Thin Solid Films 518, pp. 319-323 (2009). DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2009.07.131

C. Huang, E.-J. Yun, J. Ma, J. Keto, M.F. Becker, D. Kovar, “Synthesis and Characterization of Permalloy Nanostructured Films by Deposition of Laser Ablated Nanoparticles,” J. Magn. Mag. Mater. 321, pp. 2537-2540 (2009). DOI: 10.1016/j.jmmm.2009.03.029 

C. Torres-Garibay and D. Kovar, “Perovskite-Related Intergrowth Cathode Materials with Thin YSZ Electrolytes for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells,” J. Power Sources 192, pp. 396-399 (2009). DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.02.072

C. Torres-Garibay, D. Kovar and A. Manthiram “Ln0.6Sr0.4Co1-yFeyO3-δ (Ln = La and Nd; y = 0 and 0.5) Cathodes With Thin Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Electrolytes for Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells,” J. Power Sources, 187, pp. 480-486 (2009). DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2008.11.025

A.D. Albert, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Low Temperature, Pressure-Assisted Sintering of Nanoparticulate Silver Films,”Acta Mater. 56, pp. 1820-1829 (2008). DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2007.12.034

C. Huang, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Annealing of Nanostructured Silver Films Produced by Supersonic Deposition of Nanoparticles,” J. Appl. Phys.,102, 054308 (2007). DOI: 10.1063/1.2776163

C. Huang, W.T. Nichols, D.T. O’Brien, M.F. Becker, D. Kovar, and J.W. Keto, “Supersonic Jet Deposition of Silver Nanoparticle Aerosols: Correlations of Impact Conditions and Film Morphologies,” J. Appl. Phys. 101, 064902 (2007). DOI: 10.1063/1.2710304  

J. Baek, J. Ma, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, "Correlations Between Optical Properties, Microstructure, and Processing Conditions of AlN Thin Films Fabricated by PLD," Thin Solid Films, 515, pp. 7096-7104, 2007. DOI: 10.1016/j.tsf.2007.03.003 

J.W. Keto, M.F. Becker, D. Kovar, G. Malyavanatham, A. Muller, D.T. O'Brien, C.K. Shih, and J. Wang, "Nanoparticles of Er-Doped Glass Produced by Laser Ablation of Microparticles,"J. Opt. Soc. Am. B., 23 [8] pp. 1581-1585 (2006). DOI: 10.1364/JOSAB.23.001581

D.S. Stoker, J. Baek, W. Wang, D. Kovar, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, “Ultrafast Third-harmonic Generation from Textured AlN/Sapphire Interfaces,” Phys. Rev. A., 73 053812 pp. 1-12 (2006). DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.73.053812

J. Baek, D. Kovar, J.W. Keto, and M.F. Becker,“Determination of Properties of Wedged, Rough, and Absorbing Thin Films Using a Novel Numerical Method,” Appl. Opt., 45 [7] pp. 1627-1639, (2006). DOI: 10.1364/AO.45.001627

G. Malyavanatham, D.T. O'Brien, M.F. Becker, W.T. Nichols, J. W. Keto, D. Kovar, S. Euphrasie, T. Loue and P. Pernod, "Thick Films Fabricated by Laser Ablation of PZT Microparticles," J. Mater. Proc. Tech., 168 [2] pp. 273-279 (2005). DOI: 10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2005.02.255

P.J. Elverum, J.L. Ellzey, and D. Kovar, "Durability of YZA Ceramic Foams in a Porous Burner,"  J. Mater. Sci., 40 pp. 155-164 (2005).DOI: 10.1007/s10853-005-5701-6

G. Malyavantham, D.T. O’Brien, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar,  "Au-Cu Nanoparticles Produced by Laser Ablation of Mixtures of Au and Cu Microparticles," J. Nanoparticle Res., 6 [6] pp. 661-664 (2004).DOI: 10.1007/s11051-004-3212-z Abstract

J. Wang, E.M. Taleff, and D. Kovar, "Superplastic Deformation of Al2O3/Y-TZP Particulate Composites and Laminates," Acta Mater., 52 [19] pp. 5485-5791 (2004).DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2004.08.008

J. Wang, E.M. Taleff, and D. Kovar, "High Temperature Deformation of Al2O3/Y-TZP Particulate Laminates," Acta Mater., 52 [15] pp. 4685-4693 (2004).DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2004.06.034

D.E. Henneke, G. Malyavanatham, D. Kovar, W.T. Nichols, J.W. Keto, D.T. O'Brien, and M.F. Becker, "Stabilization of Silver Nanoparticles in Nonanoic Acid: A Temperature Activated Conformation Reaction Observed with Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy,"  J. Chem. Phys., 119 [13] pp. 6802-6809 (2003).DOI: 10.1063/1.1603714

J. Wang, E.M. Taleff, and D. Kovar, "High-Temperature Deformation of  Al2O3/Y-TZP Particulate Composites, " Acta Mater., 51 [12] pp. 3571-3583  (2003).DOI: 10.1016/S1359-6454(03)00175-7

A. Hashimoto and D. Kovar, "Controlled Precracking of Fracture Mechanics Specimens Using Localized Contact Stresses," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 85 [9] pp. 2251-2255 (2002).DOI: 10.1111/j.1151-2916.2002.tb00443.x

M.S. Noel and D. Kovar, "Laser Chemical Vapor Deposition of TiC on Tantalum," J. Mater. Sci. 37 689-697,  (2002). DOI: 10.1023/A:1013871326880

P.W. Hall, J.S. Swinnea, and D. Kovar, "Fracture Resistance of Highly Textured Alumina,"J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 84 [7] 1514-1520, (2001).DOI: 10.1111/j.1151-2916.2001.tb00870.x

S.Y. Lienard, D. Kovar, R. J. Moon, K.J. Bowman and J.W. Halloran, "Texture Development in Si3N4/BN Fibrous Monolithic Ceramics,J. Mater. Sci. 35 pp. 3365-3371 (2000).DOI: 10.1023/A:1004880901978

D. Kovar, S.J. Bennison, and M.J. Readey, "Crack Stability and Strength Variability in Alumina Ceramics with Rising Touhgness-Curve Behavior," Acta Mater. 48 pp. 565-578 (2000).DOI: 10.1016/S1359-6454(99)00350-X

J.R. Mawdsley, D. Kovar, and J.W. Halloran, "Fracture Behavior of Alumina/Monazite Multilayer Laminates,"J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 83 [4] pp. 802-808 (2000).DOI: 10.1111/j.1151-2916.2000.tb01278.x

D. Kovar, M.D. Thouless, and J.W. Halloran, "Crack Deflection and Propagation in Layered Silicon Nitride/Boron Nitride Ceramics," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 81 [4] pp. 1004-1012 (1998).DOI: 10.1111/j.1151-2916.1998.tb02438.x

D. Kovar, B.H. King, R.W. Trice, and J.W. Halloran, "Feature Article: Fibrous Monolithic Ceramics," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 80 [10] pp. 2471-2487 (1997).DOI: 10.1111/j.1151-2916.1997.tb03148.x

D. Kovar and M.D. Thouless, "Simple Method for Measuring Frictional Sliding Resistance and Energy Dissipation in Layered Ceramics," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 80 [3] pp. 673-679 (1997).DOI: 10.1111/j.1151-2916.1997.tb02883.x

D. Kovar and M.J. Readey, "Grain Size Distributions and Strength Variability of High-Purity Alumina," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 79 [2] pp. 305-312 (1996).DOI: 10.1111/j.1151-2916.1996.tb08121.x 

H.L. O'Donnell, M.J. Readey, and D. Kovar, "The Effect of Glass Additions on the Indentation Strength Behavior of Alumina," J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 78 [4] pp. 849-856 (1995).DOI: 10.1111/j.1151-2916.1995.tb08405.x

D. Kovar and M.J. Readey, "Role of Grain Size in Strength Variability of Alumina," J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 77 [7] pp. 1928-1938 (1994).DOI: 10.1111/j.1151-2916.1994.tb07073.x

Refereed Conference Proceedings

K.J. Bayazitoglu, M. Cassoli, J.J. Beaman, and D. Kovar, “Spreading and Packing of Alumina Powder Using a Displacement-controlled Roller in SLFS,” Proceedings of the 34th Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, August 14-16, 2023. weblink

D. Sassaman, M. Ide, J. Beaman, and D. Kovar, “Geometry Limitations in Indirect Selective Laser Sintering of Alumina,” Proceedings of the 32nd Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, pp 688-701, 2021. Link

P.P. Radyjowski, D.L Bourell, D. Kovar, J.L. and Ellzey, “Additive Manufacturing of Si-SiC for Combustion Device Applications,” Proceedings of the 32nd Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, pp 157-168, 2021. Link

Hagen, D., Chen, A., Beaman, and D. Kovar, "Moisture Effects on Selective Laser Flash Sintering of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia," Proceedings of the 30th Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, Austin, TX, August 12-14, 2019. pp 873-891. Link

C. M. Knapp, T.J. Lienert, J.S. Carpenter, and D. Kovar, “In Situ Monitoring of Directed Energy Deposition,” Proceedings of the Materials Science and Technology Conference 2016, Salt Lake City, UT, October 23-27, 2016. (8 pages). https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxX44jKkEnT3MHcwcGhWLUU1X00/view

G. Noiseau, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Deformation of Porous, Nanostructured Silver at Room Temperature and 150 ˚C,” Symposium GG: Mechanical Behavior of Metallic Nanostructured Materials, Proceedings of the MRS Fall Meeting Symposium, Boston, MA, November 25-30, 2012, Vol. 1513 mrsf12-1513-gg10-01. (6 pages) DOI: 10.1557/opl.2013.963

K.L. Gleason, J.W. Keto, D. Kovar, M.F. Becker, "Metal and Metal-Oxide Nanoparticle Synthesis by Laser Ablation of Aqueous Aerosols," Laser Material Interactions at Micro/Nanoscales, Proceedings of the MRS Spring Meeting, Symposium TT, San Francisco, CA, April 25-29, 2011. Vol. 1365 mrss11-1365-tt03-02 DOI: 10.1557/opl.2011.1385.

M. Nahar and D. Kovar, “Morphological Stability of Gold Nanoparticles on Titania Nanoparticles,” Ceramic Transactions vol. 223 – Proceedings of the International Symposium on Controlled Processing of Nanoparticle Structures and Composites, pg. 23-30, Ed. by K. Lu, C. Li, E. Medvedovski, and E.A. Olevsky, MS&T’09, Pittsburgh, PA, October 25 – 29, 2009. DOI: 10.1002/9780470931011.ch3

D. Kovar, A.D. Albert, M.F. Becker, and J.W. Keto, “Pressure-Assisted Sintering of Nanocrystalline Silver Lines Produced by Laser Ablation of Microparticle Aerosols,” Proceedings of the ASME Conference on Manufacturing Science and Engineering (MSEC 2007), Advances in Synergistic Effects of Materials and Processing, No. MSEC2007-31170, 2007, Atlanta, GA, October 15-18. DOI: 10.1115/MSEC2007-31170

J. Baek, D. Kovar, J.W. Keto, and M.F. Becker, “A Novel Method for the Determination of Optical Properties of Absorbing Thin Films with Thickness Variations,” Materials Research Society Fall Meeting-Symposium LL: Combinatorial Methods and Informatics in Materials Science, Vol. 894. 0894-LL03-20.1 MRS, Pittsburgh, PA, 2005. DOI: 10.1557/PROC-0894-LL03-20.

J. Wang, D. Kovar, and E.M. Taleff, “Deformation of Superplastic Al2O3/Y-TZP Particulate Composites and Particulate Laminate Composites” in Advances in Superplasticity and Superplastic Forming, ed. by E.M. Taleff, P.A. Friedman, P.E. Krajewski, R.S. Mishra, and J.G. Schroth, pp. 265-273, TMS, Warrendale, PA, 2004. http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0873395646,descCd-tableOfContents.html.

J.W. Keto, W. Nichols, D. O'Brien, M.F. Becker, and D. Kovar, “Nanoparticles: Building Blocks for Nanostructured Materials,” From the Atomic to the Nano-scale, Proceedings of the International Workshop, C. T. Whelan and J. H. McGuire, Eds.(Old Dominion, 2003) pp. 54-62.

T. Sullivan, J. Wang, D. Kovar, and E.M. Taleff, "Development of Superplastic Al2O3/Y-TZP Duplex Laminates" in Ceramic Transactions Vol 128: Advances in Ceramic-Matrix Composites VII, April 22-25, 2001; pp. 89-100, The American Ceramic Society, Westerville, OH, ed. by N.P. Bansal, J.P. Singh, and H.-T. Lin, 2001. DOI: 10.1002/9781118380925.ch7

P.W. Hall and D. Kovar, "Processing and Fracture Response of Morphologically Textured Alumina", THERMEC 2000 - Proceedings of the International Conference on Processing and Manufacturing of Advanced Materials. Edited by T. Chandra, K. Higashi, C. Suryanarayana, and C. Tome. Elsevier Science, Las Vegas, NV, 2001.

D. Kovar and P.W. Hall, "Microstructure and Mechanical Behavior of Textured Alumina," in Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Texture of Materials, August 9-13, 1999; pp. 1501-1506, NRC Research Press, Montreal, Canada; 1999.

D. Kovar, G.A. Brady, M.D. Thouless, and J.W. Halloran, "Interfacial Fracture Between Boron Nitride and Silicon Nitride and Its Applications to the Failure Behavior of Fibrous Monolithic Ceramics"; pp. 243-248 in Vol. 409, Materials Research Society Fall Meeting-Symposium Q, Instability Dynamics, Scaling, and Ductile/Brittle Behavior. Edited by R.L. Blumberg Selinger, J.J. Mecholsky, A.E. Carlsson, and E.R. Fuller, Jr. Materials Research Society, Pittsburgh, PA, Boston, MA, 1996. DOI: 10.1557/PROC-409-243

M.J. Readey and D. Kovar, "The Effect of Grain Shape on Strength Variability of Alumina Ceramics"; pp. 459-471 in Vol. 11, Fracture Mechanics of Ceramics. Edited by R.C. Bradt, D.P.H. Hasselman, D. Munz, M. Sakai, and V.Y. Shevchenko. Plenum Press; New York, NY, USA, Karlsruhe, Germany, 1995.

Book Chapters

C.C. Seepersad, J. Allison, A. Dressler, B. Boyce, D. Kovar, “An Experimental Approach for Enhancing the Predictability of Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Architected Materials with Manufacturing-Induced Variability,” in Uncertainty Quantification in Multiscale Materials Modeling (D. McDowell and Y. Wang, Eds.), March 1, 2020, Elsevier.  ISBN: 9780081029411

Other Publications

S. Landsberger, W. Charlton, K. Clarno, O. Ezekoye,  D. Kovar, D. Haas, and M. Pryor, “Distance Learning at the MS and PhD Levels in the Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program, Nuclear and Applied Robotics, Materials Science and Engineering and Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin,” Proceedings of the 2023 ANS Winter Conference and Expo, November 12–15, 2023, Washington, D.C., pp. 98-99 (2023). DOI: 10.13182/T129-42480.

D. Hagen, D. Kovar, J. Beaman, M. Gammage, “Laser Flash Sintering for Additive Manufacturing of Ceramics,” ARL-TR-8657, March 2019.

D. Hagen, D. Kovar and J.J. Beaman, “Effects of Electric Field on Selective Laser Sintering of Nano-Scale Ceramic Powder,” Proceedings of the 29st Annual SFF Symposium, Austin, TX, August 13-15, 2018. Link to Article

D.M. Correa, T.D. Klatt, S.A. Cortes, M.R. Haberman, D. Kovar, and C.C. Seepersad, “Negative Stiffness Honeycombs for Recoverable Shock Isolation,” Proceedings of the 25th Annual SFF Symposium, Austin, TX, August 4-6, 2014. Link to Article

C.M. Knapp, T.J. Lienert, C. Chen, and D. Kovar, “Additive Manufacturing of 1018 Steel: Process Observations and Calculations,” Proceedings of the 25th Annual SFF Symposium, Austin, TX, August 4-6, 2014. Link to Article

M. Asoro, D. Kovar, and P. Ferreira, "In-Situ TEM Study of Sintering of Capped Silver Nanoparticles," Microscopy and Microanalysis 17 (S2) 486-487 (2011). DOI: 10.1017/S1431927611003308

S. Rajasekhara, B. Neuner III, G. Shvets, P. J. Ferreira, D. Kovar, “The Influence of Microstructure on the Optical Quality of Silicon Carbide Films,” Microscopy and Microanalysis 16 (S2) 1450-1451 (2010). DOI: 10.1017/S1431927610060587

M.A. Asoro, D. Kovar, J. Damiano, and P.J. Ferreira, "Scale Effects on the Melting Behavior of Silver Nanoparticles," Microscopy and Microanalysis 16 (S2) 1802-1803 (2010). DOI: 10.1017/S1431927610060812

M. Asoro, Y. Shao-Horn, D. Kovar, L.F. Allard, and P.J. Ferreira, "Determination of Sintering Parameters from In-Situ Aberration-Corrected STEM Imaging of Coalescence of Pt Nanoparticles," Microscopy and Microanalysis 15 (S2) 730-731 (2009). DOI: 10.1017/S1431927609096913

A.D. Albert, C. Huang, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Deposition of Nanostructured Silver Lines and Films from Aerosols Produced by LAMA,” Proceedings of the International Symposium on Synergistic Effects of Materials and Processing (ISSEMP 2006), JSME No. 06-207, pp. 1-6, Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, Kumamoto, Japan, September 19, 2006. Abstract

D. Stoker, J. Baek, M.C. Downer, D. Kovar, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, “Interferometric third-harmonic generation in thin optical films using ultra-short laser pulses,” Proceedings of the Frontiers in Optics Conference; Optics Info Database Conference Papers, Tucson, AZ, October 16-21, 2005. DOI: 10.1364/FIO.2005.FME4

C. Torres Garibay, “Manufacturing of Reduced-Dimensions Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cells Using Inexpensive Ceramic Techniques,” Proceedings of the GEC Graduate Engineering Student Research  Conference, The University of Texas at Austin, TX, April 28, 2005.

M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Nanoscale Manufacturing-Nonlinear Nanocomposites for Magnetostrictive Actuators and Photonic Devices,” 2005 NSF Design, Service and Manufacturing Grantees and Research Conference Proceedings, pp. 1-5, January 3-6, 2005, Scottsdale, AZ.

M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Nanoscale Manufacturing-Nonlinear Nanocomposites for Magnetostrictive Actuators and Photonic Devices,” Proceedings of the 2004 NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Grantees Conference, pp. 1-3, December 13-15, 2004, Arlington,VA.

J. Ma, D.T. O’Brien, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, D. Kovar, “Nanoscale Manufacturing - Nanocomposites for Magnetostrictive Actuators,” 2004 NSF Design, Service and Manufacturing Grantees and Research Conference Proceedings, pp. 1-7, January 5-8, 2004, Dallas, TX. Abstract

P.J. Elverum, J.L. Ellzey, and D. Kovar, "Material Performance in a Porous Ceramic Burner," in Proceedings of the Spring Meeting of the Western States Section of the Combustion Institute, La Jolla, California, Paper #02S-9, 2002.

M.S. Noel, J.J. Gallegos III, J.M. Sanchez, and D. Kovar, "LACVD of Ceramic Coatings for Pu Processing"; ANRC Technical Report, May 15th, 2000

M.S. Noel, D. Kovar, and J.M. Sanchez, "Stability of Ceramic Coatings for Pu Processing"; Proceedings of ANRC Researcher's Conference (Amarillo, TX, July 19-21, 1999).

Patents and Patent Applications

1. D. Kovar, D. Davies, J. Keto, M.D. Gammage, A. Moyers, and M.F. Becker, “Method for Deagglomerating Powders by Subjecting Them to Strong Shear,” Provisional Patent Application #63/589,558; October 11, 2023.

2. D. Kovar and S. Bierschenk, “Nozzle Design for High Speed Deposition of Particles,” Provisional Patent Application #63/510,397; June 27, 2023.

3. J.J. Beaman, D. Kovar, D.B. Bourell, D. Hagen, “Systems and Methods for Additive Manufacturing of Ceramics”, US Patent Number 10,611,694, April 7, 2020.

4. D. Kovar, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, I. Gallardo, and M. Nahar, “Production of Bare Nanoparticle-on-Nanoparticle Surfaces,” Provisional Patent Application #61/247,971; October 2009. International Patent Application filed by UT Austin, September 15, 2010.

5. B.F. Freeman, S. Matteucci, M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar, “Enhanced Transport Selectivity Using Nanoparticle Filled Polymers,” Provisional Patent Application # 61/236,267; August 2009. International Patent Application filed by UT Austin, July 30, 2010. 

6. D. Kovar and G.R. Rodin, “Honeycomb Ceramics with Extreme Thermal Shock Resistance,” Provisional Patent Application # 61/229,320; August 2009. 

7. M.F. Becker, J.W. Keto, and D. Kovar,  “Methods for producing coated nanoparticles from microparticles,” US Patent Number 7,527,824, May 5, 2009. Licensed to Intellectual Ventures in 2008. 

TEACHING

My principal area of teaching is in the Materials Engineering area of the Mechanical Engineering Department.  I have taught the following courses

• ME 336 Materials Processing

• ME 378S/386Q23 Structural Ceramics (developed new course)

• ME 378D/386Q17 Failure Analysis (developed new course)

• ME 111L Materials Engineering Laboratory

• ME 136L Materials Processing Laboratory

• ME 387S Synthesis and Processing of Nanomaterials (developed new course)

• ME 378K/386P2 Mechanical Behavior of Materials

• ES 360M/MSE 360M Hands-on Materials Science and Engineering (developed new course)