🎓 Education
Edward W. (Ted) Reutzel holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, earned in December 2007. He previously received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in May 1993 and completed his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering at Pennsylvania State University in May 1991. His academic foundation is rooted in mechanical systems, advanced manufacturing, and applied engineering sciences.
💼 Professional Experience
Dr. Reutzel currently serves as the Director of the Center for Innovative Material Processing thru Direct Digital Deposition at Pennsylvania State University, a role he has held since 2019. He is also a Graduate Faculty member in several departments at Penn State, including Mechanical Engineering, Additive Manufacturing and Design, and Engineering Science and Mechanics. Since 2015, he has served as an Associate Research Professor at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. His earlier roles include Research Associate and Head of the Laser System Engineering and Integration Department at ARL, a Research Assistant at ARL, and engineering positions with GE Fanuc Automation and Idaho National Laboratory. His career spans over 30 years, with deep engagement in laser-based additive manufacturing, process monitoring, and system integration.
🧠 Skills and Expertise
Dr. Reutzel’s expertise lies in additive manufacturing (AM), direct energy deposition (DED), laser system integration, process monitoring, and non-destructive evaluation (NDE). He is highly skilled in multi-modal sensor fusion, machine learning applications in manufacturing, visual perception for defect detection, and thermo-mechanical analysis in advanced manufacturing systems. He also has a strong background in mechanical design, systems engineering, and in situ process control techniques.
🏅 Awards and Recognition
While specific awards are not listed in the provided record, Dr. Reutzel’s sustained leadership roles and numerous high-impact publications reflect significant recognition in the field of additive manufacturing and materials processing. His appointment as Director of a leading research center and long-standing association with ARL Penn State signify a respected reputation in academic and defense research communities.
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. Reutzel’s research centers on innovative material processing through direct digital deposition, with a major focus on additive manufacturing technologies, particularly laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition. His work addresses real-time process monitoring, defect detection, machine learning for quality assurance, and microstructural control in metal AM components. Recent projects involve using multi-spectral imaging, ultrasonic sensing, and machine vision to develop advanced quality control systems in metal additive manufacturing. His efforts contribute to both academic innovation and practical advancements in aerospace, defense, and industrial manufacturing sectors.