Chad Duty, PhD
Professor
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Dr. Duty is a Professor in the Mechanical, Aerospace, & Biomedical Engineering (MABE) Department at the University of Tennessee. Chad also continues to work part time as Joint Faculty with the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF) at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), where he previously was a Senior Research Scientist and Group Leader of the Deposition Science & Technology Group. Dr. Duty’s research focuses on advanced materials and process developments for additive manufacturing, or 3D printing. This work recently led to the commercialization of a large-scale 3D printer for polymer composites called BAAM (for Big Area Additive Manufacturing) as well as the manufacture of the world’s first 3D printed car (the Strati). Chad’s work has led to over 100 publications, more than a dozen patents, and several R&D100 Awards in this field as well as previous research on roll-to-roll manufacturing and solar energy technologies. Dr. Duty is also the Associate Director of UT’s Center for Material Processing, serves as the MABE Co-Director for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and is an Associate Editor of the Additive Manufacturing journal, the leading scientific journal in his field.
James Brackett
Ph.D. Student – Energy Science and Engineering
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James earned his B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville in 2017. He began pursuing a doctoral degree in Energy Science and Engineering that same year through the Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education, a joint program between Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. His research focuses on characterizing and improving the multi-material capabilities of Large-Scale Additive Manufacturing systems, specifically the Big Area Additive Manufacturing system located at ORNL’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. Other research interests include the development of functionally graded materials and structures, polymer extrusion, hybrid Additive Manufacturing, and fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites.
Roo Walker
Ph.D. Student – Energy Science and Engineering
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Roo graduated with her B.S. in Materials Science and Engineering from Clemson University in 2020. She is currently a PhD student in Energy Science and Engineering program in the Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies. Her research focuses on recycled materials for large format additive manufacturing and circular economy for additive manufacturing. Her interdisciplinary focus is in energy policy. Roo is currently the Budget Director for iSTEMmed, a graduate student organization dedicated to building a diverse and equitable STEM community. Roo enjoys spending her weekends learning to cook new recipes and is always excited about new board games that she can play with her friends and family.
Brenin Bales
Master’s Student – Mechanical Engineering
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Brenin Bales is a research assistant in the PCAM research group. He is from Chicago, Illinois and earned his undergraduate degree at Bradley University. At Bradley University, Brenin researched nano-composite materials, specifically working to create “perfect material”. At the University of Tennessee, Brenin’s work focuses on Z-Pinning, which aims to improve the Z-Axis strength of parts from fused filament fabrication systems. Outside of work, Brenin enjoys power-lifting and watching/playing soccer.
Jay Pike
Ph.D. Student – Data Science and Engineering
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Jay Pike graduated with his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 2021. As an undergraduate Jay assisted in Additive Manufacturing research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and the Composites Manufacturing and Simulation Center (CMSC). Jay is currently pursuing a PhD in Data Science and Engineering and a concurrent Masters in Mechanical Engineering through the Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Studies.occer.
Frye Mattingly
Master’s Student – Mechanical Engineering
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Frye is a master’s student studying porosity and voids within additively manufactured fiber filled polymers. This research is focused on trying to pinpoint the sources of porosity and reduce porosity within AM parts to try and match the results achieved with the mechanically similar process of injection molding. His background is in Mechanical engineering with a B.S. degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County.
Andrew Rhodes
Master’s Student – Mechanical Engineering
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Andrew joined the group in 2020 after graduating from Presbyterian College with a B.S. in Physics. His current research focuses on fiber reinforced composites for large-format additive manufacturing. His interests and hobbies include 3D printing, brewing kombucha, and gongfu tea.
Tyler Corum
Master’s Student – Mechanical Engineering
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Tyler Corum graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2021 where he earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. As an undergraduate, Tyler served as an engineering student ambassador and worked as an undergraduate research assistant. Tyler was an undergraduate research assistant in the PCAM lab doing work with fiber measurement, compression molding, and thermal expansion measurements. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering through the Southeastern Advanced Machine Tools Network (SEAMTN). Tyler’s research focuses on evaluating the distortion and cracking of thin-wall polymer composite 3D-printed structures that are typical of the structures utilized by SEAMTN industrial partners. Outside of the lab, Tyler enjoys smoking bbq, is a big movie fan, and loves watching football.