Welcome to Dr Rahman's Lab

Research

Welcome to Dr. Rahman’s Lab

Additive Manufacturing, Materials, and Mechanics (AM3) Laboratory

  • Group Picture April 2025
  • TMS 2025

We’re a research group based at Louisiana Tech University, working at the crossroads of materials science, mechanical engineering, and advanced manufacturing. A big part of our work centers on solid-state additive manufacturing particularly Additive Friction-Stir Deposition (AFSD) as we explore ways to build stronger, smarter, and more reliable materials and structures.

Our team is driven by curiosity and a passion for innovation. We’re always looking for faster, more predictable, and scalable ways to turn engineering concepts into real-world technologies, with applications in fields like aerospace, biomedical devices, and civil infrastructure.

Here at the Institute for Micromanufacturing, we blend hands-on experimentation with computational modeling and machine learning to better understand how materials behave during fabrication. We also work closely with collaborators from industry, national labs, and other universities to make sure our research has real impact.

Grant Proposals

Featured Projects ( Funded )

  • Adaptive Multi-scale Physics Engine for Reaction Engineering (AMPERE)
    • Partnership with Radiance Technologies Inc
    • DARPA MICA project
    • 08/01/2025-11/01/2028
    • $1.7M
  • TIRE: Revolutionizing Civil Infrastructure with Additive Friction Stir Deposition of Stainless Steel
    • Partnership with Louisiana Transportation Research Center
    • 07/01/2025 – 06/30/2026
    • $48,800
  • Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Additive Friction Stir Deposition Process
    • NSF EPSCoR LAMDA Seed Funding – Track 1A
    • 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025
    • $10,000
  • Multiscale Additive Friction-Stir Deposition for Metal Structures and Repairs
    • NSF EPSCoR LAMDA Seed Funding – Track 2
    • In partnership with Crest Industries, LA
    • 01/01/2023 – 06/30/2024
    • $10,000
  • Conformal Additive Friction-Stir Deposition Process for Multi-scale Structural and Repair Applications
    • Louisiana Board of Regents – RCS-LEQSF (2023–2026)
    • 06/01/2023 – 05/31/2026
    • $233,244
  • Louisiana Materials Design Alliance (LAMDA)
    • NSF RII Track-1 (Award No. OIA-1946231)
    • 06/01/2021 – 06/30/2025
    • Total Project: $20,000,000 | Dr. Rahman’s Support: ~$70K/year

Other Projects: Proposals (Pending / Not awarded)

  • DMREF: ICME of Refractory Alloys for Large Format Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing
    • National Science Foundation – Directorate for Engineering (ENG)
    • Co-Principal Investigator
    • 01/01/2026 – 12/31/2029
    • $600,000
  • Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Solid-State Metal Additive Manufacturing for In-Space Repairs
    • NASA LaSPACE Research Enhancement Awards (REA)
    • Principal Investigator
    • 09/15/2025 – 06/30/2026
    • $35,000
  • ERI: Enhancing the Processability of Solid-State Metal Additive Manufacturing with Ultrasonic Vibration
    • National Science Foundation – AM, Division of Civil, Mechanical & Manufacturing Innovation
    • Principal Investigator
    • 06/01/2025 – 05/31/2027
    • $199,926
  • EPA Track 1: Empowering Communities Through Pollution Reduction and Climate Resilience
    • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
    • Co-Principal Investigator
    • 07/01/2025 – 06/30/2028
    • $16,600,423
  • Departmental Enhancement: Expanding TTC Facilities for Collaborative Research and Teaching
    • Louisiana Board of Regents
    • Co-Principal Investigator
    • 06/01/2025 – 05/31/2030
    • $999,958
  • E-RISE RII: Friction-Based Additive Stir Technology for Energy Transformation in Louisiana
    • National Science Foundation – E-RISE RII
    • Co-Principal Investigator
    • 06/01/2025 – 05/31/2029
    • $6,999,704
  • Accelerating 3D-Printed Catalyst Forming via Machine Learning & AI
    • ARPA-E, U.S. Department of Energy
    • Co-Principal Investigator
    • $450,000
  • NSF CAREER: Understanding the Material-Process-Performance Interplay in AFSD
    • National Science Foundation – CAREER Program
    • Principal Investigator
    • 06/01/2025 – 05/31/2030
    • $575,851
  • Advancing Burn-Resistant Alloys for High-Pressure Oxygen Environments
    • NASA MUREP
    • Co-Principal Investigator
    • 10/01/2024 – 09/30/2027
    • $150,000
  • Vibration-Assisted Solid-State Additive Manufacturing for Repairs and Strength
    • NASA LaSPACE REA
    • Principal Investigator
    • 08/15/2024 – 05/31/2025
    • $34,611
  • Comprehensive Analysis of 3D Printing Techniques Using Numerical Modeling
    • Institute for Micromanufacturing
    • Principal Investigator
    • 01/01/2024 – 06/30/2024
    • $9,457.77
  • Enhancing Mechanical Engineering Research Capacity at Louisiana Tech
    • Louisiana Board of Regents
    • Co-Principal Investigator
    • 06/01/2024 – 05/31/2029
    • $692,536
  • ONE-WATER: On-Site Nanoengineered Wastewater Treatment for Reuse
    • NSF Convergence Accelerator Track K
    • Co-Principal Investigator
    • 1-year project
    • $749,000
  • Enabling Nutritious, Longer Shelf-Life Food in Space via Direct Ink Write 3D Printing
    • Principal Investigator
    • 09/15/2023 – 09/14/2024
  • $34,480