Research

Research Overview

My research develops additive manufacturing processes for engineering polymers and composite systems, with a primary focus on structural behaviour governed by process–structure–property relationships. I investigate how deposition physics, rheology, phase separation, and interface formation control microstructure, anisotropy, load transfer, and failure mechanisms in printed polymer and composite architectures. By integrating manufacturing science with polymer and composite mechanics, I aim to achieve predictable mechanical performance in architected materials produced by additive manufacturing.

Building on this structural foundation, I translate manufacturing principles into architected composite structures with integrated functionality. Through microstructural programming and multi-material design, these systems combine load-bearing capability with sensing, actuation, or adaptive response that emerges from material architecture rather than added electronics. Positioned at the intersection of materials engineering, manufacturing science, and mechanical design, my work bridges material-level process innovation with system-level functionality, enabling physically intelligent and environmentally responsible devices.

Research Thrusts

1. Additive Manufacturing of High-Performance Structural Polymers and Composites

This thrust focuses on developing additive manufacturing processes for engineering polymers and composite systems with reliable structural performance, by controlling processing conditions that govern:

• Deposition stability and interlayer bonding; 

• Microstructural anisotropy and load transfer; 

• Fibre orientation distribution for optimised loading conditions;

• Strength, stiffness, and failure behaviour in printed structures.

2. Composite Additive Manufacturing Technology Innovation

This thrust focuses on inventing new additive manufacturing technologies that expand the achievable material architectures, microstructures and performance of polymer and composite systems, by developing: 

• Novel deposition mechanisms and nozzle architectures;

• Multi-material and co-axial extrusion strategies for structural composites;

• Alternative continuous fibre-feeding mechanisms.

3. Additive Manufacturing of Microstructure-Programmed, Architected Composites 

This thrust focuses on programming microstructure and architecture during additive manufacturing to achieve controlled and efficient mechanical behaviour, including bio-inspired designs that translate natural structural principles into manufacturable composite systems, by enabling:

• Anisotropic alignment and hierarchical architectures;

• Core–shell and graded microstructures inspired by natural load-bearing systems such as bamboo;

• Controlled porosity, phase morphology, and interfaces for geometry-driven stiffness, strength, and energy absorption.

4. Additive Manufacturing of Multifunctional Composite Structures 

This thrust focuses on integrating multifunctionality into structural composite systems through material and architectural design, by combining: 

• Structure-integrated thermal regulation, sensing and transduction;

• Microstructure-enabled actuation and adaptive response;

• Coupled mechanical and physical functionality within load-bearing structures.

5. Additive Manufacturing of Sustainable and Biodegradable Architected Systems 

This thrust focuses on applying additive manufacturing and structural design principles to environmentally responsible material systems, through the development of: 

• Biodegradable and recyclable polymer and composite architectures;

• Environmentally triggered deformation and mechanical response;

• Energy-autonomous and lifecycle-aware structural devices.