My name is Marios Sotiriou, currently a Ph.D. student and graduate research assistant (RA) at the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, at University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA. I was drawn to science and engineering from a young age, having the curiosity to search about the structure and mechanics of the world we live in as an interesting aspect of the human experience. Naturally, I ended up studying Mechanical Engineering, where I discovered my passion towards metallurgy. I was mentored and educated by Prof. G.N. Haidemenopoulos in Allen’s principles of physical metallurgy, Flemings’ alloy solidification and Cohen-Olson’s martensitic transformation and ICME, I admired the beauty of their work and oriented my mindset accordingly into proper scientific approach. C

Throughout my research years, I devoted my study on modeling additive manufacturing from a multi-disciplinary perspective. While my core interest resided at the microstructural evolution during the process, research directed me in acquiring a holistic view by expanding my focus on the integrated thermomechanical and microstructural problem. More specifically, my thesis focuses on the development of a benchmark simulation framework to predict the microstructural evolution of austenitic stainless steels in welding and additive manufacturing processes. A CALPHAD modeling approach of solidification and solid-state transformations upon thermal cycling was followed (Thermo-Calc, DICTRA, MICRESS), to consider the variance in solidification type (due to alloy composition), cooling rate (from the electric arc to laser beams) and growth mechanism (epitaxial growth, nucleation and growth). Heat transfer simulations were performed via the development of a sophisticated in-house 2D-FEA model in ABAQUS for additive manufacturing, aiming to determine the temperature history. The final mechanical problem is still a work in progress. The main objective is to set the simulation foundations for material design and optimization in additive manufacturing applications.

I am already tested in active research with more than four years of experience, at liberty to follow my interests as well as carry out conference presentations, project collaborations, teaching and student theses assistance. I believe to have developed an operational toolbox in tackling physical metallurgy problems, with targeted skills in computational multi-disciplinary modeling that relies on the CALPHAD approach, FEA, optimization and programming, as well as experimental investigation techniques. Part of my work on developing a methodology to describe the coupling of microstructural and thermomechanical analysis upon additive manufacturing in an austenitic 316L steel has been published in conference proceedings, and a publication in a peer-reviewed journal is pending. Already active in the local materials community, I have participated in five national and international conferences. In addition, I have worked on group projects in general metallurgy topics spanning from aluminum recycling, to experimental investigation of H13 additively manufactured extrusion dies.

I wish to follow an academic professional trajectory in the field of materials science and metallurgy, since I find exciting and interesting the challenge that comes with research careers. The motivation to follow the academic path is sourced from three metaphorical principles:

-Astra-  the great discoveries and actions of the past, when humanity defied all odds and reached for new frontiers,

-Veritas-  my egoistic curiosity to explore and learn all aspects of the physical world, searching for beauty in truth and

-Animus-  my endeavor to improve aspects of human life, so that less people may suffer from scientific ignorance.

However, sometimes motivation fluctuates with time, so I prefer relying on discipline and people

-Sic parvis magna- to keep up with my efforts.

I aim in advancing my research in the cross-section of the fields of metallurgy and solid mechanics, towards development of materials design methodologies. Interested in multi-disciplinary modeling (thermomechanical, diffusional, constitutional), to develop holistic approaches in combined heat/mass transfer simulations, as well as advanced optimization techniques. Concerned with overcoming the challenges in a wide range of applications, including process design (e.g. additive manufacturing), materials (metal matrix composite, high-performance structural materials) for exotic uses like space exploration, eco mobility and green industry, computing, and transportation.

Marios Sotiriou