Group Members

Principal Investigator

Xiangfan Chen, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor in Manufacturing Engineering

The School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks

Dr. Xiangfan Chen is currently an Assistant Professor at the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks (MSN). Before joining ASU, Dr. Chen obtained his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University (Evanston, IL) in 2018, and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Shanghai, P.R.China) in 2012. Dr. Chen’s research interest focuses on the advanced manufacturing technologies, including 3D printing, nanoimprinting, and nano-transfer printing, for emerging applications in the areas of photonics, energy, and biomedical engineering.

PhD Students

Yao Wang

PhD Student in Manufacturing Engineering

MSN

TBD

Negar Akrami

PhD Student in Manufacturing Engineering

MSN

TBD

Join US!

PhD Student

We’re actively hiring new PhD Student in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, Chemical Engineering

Master Students

Pankaj Mishra

MS Student in Manufacturing Engineering

MSN

Bio-inspired Structures for Atmospheric Water Harvesting

Pratyodhaya Padalinathan

MS Student in Manufacturing Engineering

MSN

3D Printing of Copper

Join US!

MS Student

We’re actively hiring new MS Student in Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Science, Chemical Engineering

Undergraduate Students

Arick Nitzsche

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

New 3D Printing Process Development

Timothy Ong

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Hydrogel-based Soft Robotics

High School Students

2025 SCENE Project

Adwita Goyal

2024 SCENE Project

Hannah Kim (Hamilton High School, AZ)

2023 SCENE Project

Karthik Raman (Corona Del Sol High School, AZ)

Lekha Balakrishna (Hamilton High School, AZ)

2022 SCENE Project

Srishti Rajeev 

Former Group Members

Ph.D.

Wenbo Wang (Ph.D. in Manufacturing Engineering, 2020 Fall – 2025 Spring) (Dissertation: Dynamic-Fluid-Assisted Micro Continuous Liquid Interface Production of Functional Graded Materials)

Luyang Liu (Ph.D. in Manufacturing Engineering, 2020 Spring – 2025 Spring) (Dissertation: Scalable Continuous 3D Printing of Polymer Nanocomposites: Innovations for Functional Applications)

Siying Liu (Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering, 2020 Spring – 2024 Summer) (Dissertation: Light-based Advanced Manufacturing and Manipulation of Functional Polymers and Composites)

M.S.

Sonia Hernandez (M.S. in Robotics, 2021 – 2025) (Thesis: 3D Printing of Electroactive Hydrogels Enhanced with Reduced Graphene Oxide (rGO))

Chayaank Ravishankar (M.S. in Manufacturing Engineering, 2022 – 2024) (Thesis: Rapid 3D Printing of Reduced Graphene Oxide/Polymer Composites Using Micro-Continuous Liquid Interface Production)

Ujjawal Jha (M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 2021 – 2023) (Thesis: Explore Rapid 3D Printing of Magnetically Actuated Microstructures Via Micro-Continuous Liquid Interface Production)

Jacob Yoshitake (M.S. in System Engineering, 2021 – 2022) (Applied Project)

Rishabh Kabade (M.S. in Mechanical Engineering 2018 – 2020) (Applied Project)

Chintan Shah (M.S. 2019~2020) (MORE Project)

B.S.

Tiffany Pulido (B. S. in Biomedical Engineering System, 2024) (Barrett Honors Thesis)

Alexander Potts (B. S. in Robotics, 2023) (Barrett Honors Thesis, co-advised with Prof. Dhruv Bhate)

Daniel Mester (B. S. in Mechanical Engineering System, 2021) (Barrett Honors Thesis)

Maxime Zand (B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, 2024)

Riana Chatterjee (B.S. in Computer Science, 2024)

Harrison LaBell (B.S. in Mechanical Systems Engineering, 2024)

Mingqi Yu (B. S. in Robotics, 2024)

Sonia Hernandez (B. S. in Robotics, 2020)

Michael Schelp (B. S in Robotics)

Pradyumna Mysore (B.S. 2018~2020)

We’re hiring!

We are currently looking for highly motivated individuals at various academic levels, including Ph.D. (1-2) and M.S. graduate students, undergraduate students who have a keen interest in additive manufacturing (3D printing) and functional devices in 2024 Fall or 2025 Spring. If you’re interested, please reach out to Dr. Xiangfan Chen at [email protected].

To apply, please send an email to Dr. Chen with the subject line “Graduate Opening – [Your Name] – [Your Current University]” and attach a single PDF containing the following:

  1. A one-page cover letter outlining your academic background, research experience, and reasons for applying.
  2. Your complete CV.
  3. A transcript (a screenshot of your course system is acceptable).
  4. Contact information for three references.

Research Topic: Functional additive manufacturing processes and their applications:

  1. Development of functional materials for additive manufacturing, including innovative hydrogels, liquid crystal polymers, and nanocomposites.
  2. Design and fabrication of novel application devices such as soft robotics, smart textiles, and wearable devices.

Preferred Skills:

  1. Background in polymer science, chemistry, chemical engineering, or material science is desirable.
  2. Practical experience in additive manufacturing processes, including the construction of optical and mechanical systems, and material development.
  3. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, C++, Labview, and Matlab.
  4. Experience with simulation tools like COMSOL, as well as computational electromagnetics such as FDTD.
  5. Familiarity with materials characterization techniques such as SEM, AFM, and microscopy, as well as testing methods.

Other Information:

For Manufacturing Engineering PhD Program: https://msn.engineering.asu.edu/degrees/manufacturing-engineering-phd