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The University of New Brunswick (UNB) has advanced its leadership in materials engineering with the appointment of a new research chair. Dr. Hamed Asgari will take up a five-year term as the Lockheed Martin Research Chair in Additive Manufacturing, joining the team at UNB’s Marine Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence (MAMCE). As chair, Dr. Asgari will support the development of new knowledge and techniques in the use of 3D metal printing for marine applications.

“Since establishing MAMCE in 2017, UNB has solidified its position at the forefront of specialized additive manufacturing research,” said Dr. David MaGee, vice-president (research) at UNB. “We look forward to seeing the results and impact of Dr. Asgari’s leading-edge research and are grateful for the financial support from Lockheed Martin and the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation.”

UNB’s MAMCE undertakes research, innovation and training activities that promote the adoption of additive manufacturing in the industrial marine sector of Canada. Dr. Mohsen Mohammadi, MAMCE’s scientific director, is also the Canada Research Chair in Marine Additive Manufacturing. To date, MAMCE has attracted more than $12 million in research funding and continues to expand its efforts to support industry applied research and talent development needs.

This new industry-funded chair leverages earlier funding from Lockheed Martin through an Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) offset contribution that also helped establish MAMCE.

“The Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence at UNB is training the next generation of engineers and scientists to elevate the capabilities and advantages of AM technology”, said Lorraine Ben, Chief Executive, Lockheed Martin Canada.

“This ITB-enabled collaboration is continuing to advance Canada’s marine and shipbuilding industry by facilitating the adoption of 3D printing into the maintenance and building of Canada’s ships. We are excited about the robust benefits and efficiencies AM will bring to the industry and how it will advance the current and future generation of shipbuilders in Atlantic Canada.”

Dr. Asgari is further supported by $55,000 in funding from the New Brunswick Innovation Foundation (NBIF).

"NBIF has been a proud supporter of UNB’s Additive Manufacturing Centre of Excellence since its inception, and the addition of Dr. Asgari and his specialization in laser powder bed fusion will further advance MAMCE’s ability to provide applied research solutions to industry challenges,” said Jeff White, CEO of NBIF.

“Dr. Asgari brings with him a strong track record of applied research and we are keen to see his research advance this sector in the coming years.”

Dr. Asgari completed his PhD in mechanical engineering at the University of Saskatchewan in 2015 and previously worked with Dr. Mohammadi as a postdoctoral fellow. He brings to UNB substantial teaching experience and experience working with industry on research and development projects.

He specializes in metal additive manufacturing, specifically through a technique known as laser powder bed fusion, where lasers are used to melt metal powder particles together, layer by layer. The result is a solid metal object that can be formed without relying on traditional machining techniques and their limitations.

Dr. Asgari will focus his inquiry on creating and characterizing alloys for use in harsh environments such as those created for marine, aerospace and energy use. These environments might include substances that cause corrosion and oxidation, strong forces acting on materials, high operating temperatures and other factors.