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JEC 5038
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akins@rpi.edu
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518-276-3244
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About
Dr. Semih Akin joined the Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering Department at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Spring 2024. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 2022, where he also worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow before joining RPI. Dr. Akin’s research focuses on multi-scale additive manufacturing, surface engineering, and smart manufacturing, with applications spanning 3D-printed electronics, smart structures, electronic textiles, energy devices, and self-powered sensors. His research outputs have been published in top journals in the field, including Advanced Materials, Nano Energy, Additive Manufacturing, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, and Journal of Manufacturing Process.
Ph.D., Purdue University, 2022
Research
The research activities conducted by Dr. Akin's group (SEMI Lab) are centered on three major thrusts:
- Fundamental science on surface-matter interactions
- Manufacturing science for developing robust/resilient manufacturing processes and systems
- Manufacturing innovation for next-generation energy, environmental, aerospace, and defense applications
- In-Space Manufacturing and In-situ Resource Utilization
- Cyber-physical Manufacturing
- Smart Convergent Manufacturing
- Smart Structures
- Sustainable Repairing
- Self-powered Sensors
Teaching
Tuesdays 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
ENGR 2050: Introduction to Engineering Design [Fall semester]
ENGR 4720/MANE 4620: Manufacturing Processes and Systems (MPS) II [Spring semester]
Recognition
- (2025) Best paper award, International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring (IWSHM)
- (2024) Best paper award, Journal of Manufacturing Processes
- (2024) Outstanding Reviewer, Journal of Manufacturing Processes
- (2024) Reviewer of the Year, ASME Journal of Micro and Nano Science and Engineering
- (2024) Best paper award, ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE)
- (2024) SigmaXI Scientific Research Honor Society, (Full Member)
- (2023) Outstanding Graduate Student Research Award, Purdue University
- (2023) Italian Packaging Technology Award, Italian Trade Agency
- (2022) Ward A. Lambert Graduate Teaching Fellowship, Purdue University
- (2022) Graduate Teaching Award, Purdue University, CoE
- (2022) Cover article, Advanced Materials
- (2021) Editor’s choice article, Journal of Thermal Spray Technology
- (2021) Best paper award, World Congress on Micro and Nano Manufacturing (WCMNM)
Publications
The following is a selection of recent publications in Scopus. Semih Akin has 35 indexed publications in the subjects of Engineering, Engineering, Engineering.
Sponsored Projects
- Funding Agency: NSF Engines R&D Awards - New York Energy Storage Engine Projects
Title: "Dry-coating of lithium-ion battery anodes by cold spray"
PI: S. Akin; Co-PI: Nikhil Koratkar
Project term: 01/01/25 - 01/01/26
- Funding Agency: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA): SENSE
Title: "Convergent Manufacturing of Smart Metal Structures with Embedded Sensing Capabilities"
PI: J. Samuel, Co-PIs: S. Akin, F. Kopsaftopoulos, S. Mishra, J. Wen
Project term: 01/22/24 - 01/22/26
News
Dr. Akin was recognized as a co-author of Best Paper Award by the `SME Journal of Manufacturing Processes`.
Dr. Akin was awarded as the Outstanding Reviewer by the `SME Journal of Manufacturing Processes`.
Dr. Akin was recognized as the Reviewer of the Year by the ASME Journal of Micro and Nano Science and Engineering.