Rapidly evolving needs in energy, healthcare, communication, and defense have imposed stringent manufacturing demands for flexibility, throughput, cost and energy efficiency, precision, and multi-material and multifunctional integration, necessitating disruptive innovations in manufacturing. Leveraging fine particles as fundamental building blocks has opened new paradigms in manufacturing.
Dr. Heng Pan,
Texas A&M University
This presentation highlights two such processes: micro/nano 3D metal printing via laser printing of nanoparticles and powder-based solvent-free battery electrode manufacturing. Through fundamental investigations of laser-particle interactions, thermal transport phenomena, and the granular behavior of fine powders, key insights have been gained and translated into manufacturing innovations that advance equipment development and manufacturing science.
Dr. Heng Pan is currently an associate professor in the J. Mike Walker ’66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University. Prior to joining Texas A&M, he was an assistant professor (2013-2019) and associate professor (2019-2020) at Missouri S&T. He is the co-founder & technical advisor of AM Batteries Inc. He received Ph.D in mechanical engineering at University of California – Berkeley (2009). Dr. Pan’s research interests include additive manufacturing, battery electrode manufacturing, powder processing, laser-based micro/nanomanufacturing, and manufacturing process modeling. Dr. Pan’s honors and awards include 2019 NSF CAREER Award and 2015 ORAU Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award.