Dr Ismail Fidan, Tennessee Tech University, United States
Dr. I. Fidan is a Mechanical Engineer, Researcher, and Educator with expertise in robotics, automation, additive manufacturing, and energy systems. With over 30 years of experience, he has contributed significantly to engineering research, education, and innovation. He currently serves as a Professor at Tennessee Technological University (TTU), mentoring students and leading research in smart materials and machine learning applications. He has worked as a Visiting Scholar at Pasadena City College (2022) and an ORISE Research Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2013–2014). Dr. Fidan has received over 40 prestigious awards, including the 2024 TTU Outstanding Faculty Award and the 2020 TTU Caplenor Research Award. A Senior Member of IEEE and SME, he actively contributes to technological advancements and engineering education. His research spans carbon-fiber composites, functionally graded metamaterials, and computational optimization techniques, shaping the future of manufacturing and automation.
Publication Profile
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Education 🎓
Dr. I. Fidan earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA (1996), specializing in robotics and automation. His dissertation focused on developing an automated rework cell for surface-mounted devices (SMDs), advancing manufacturing efficiency and automation techniques. Prior to that, he completed his M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering at Istanbul Technical University, Türkiye (1991), where he conducted research on heat transfer through ultra-fine powders, contributing to energy and thermal system advancements. He obtained his B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from Anadolu University, Türkiye (1988), focusing on hydraulic machines, with a graduation project on vertical flow ventilators and venturi meters. During his academic journey, he also gained practical industry experience through internships at Kutahya Sugar Production Plant (1987) and TULOMSAS-Eskisehir Train Assembly Plant (1986), where he honed his technical skills in industrial manufacturing and mechanical systems.
Experience
Dr. I. Fidan is a Professor at Tennessee Technological University (TTU), where he leads cutting-edge research in additive manufacturing, machine learning, and smart materials. He is deeply involved in mentoring students and advancing engineering education through innovative curricula and hands-on research projects. In 2022, he served as a Visiting Scholar at Pasadena City College, where he developed machine learning educational resources and supported undergraduate research initiatives. From 2013 to 2014, Dr. Fidan was an ORISE Research Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he contributed to energy-efficient technologies, including modeling next-generation heat pump water heaters and simulating Zero Energy-Campbell Creek Houses. Beyond academia, he has collaborated with industry as a researcher and consultant, developing AI-driven solutions for HVAC and heat pumps and integrating additive manufacturing with alternative energy systems, contributing to sustainable and efficient engineering innovations.
Awards & Honors
Dr. I. Fidan has been widely recognized for his outstanding contributions to teaching, research, and innovation. In 2024, he received the TTU Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching, followed by the ASEE National Engineering Technology Teaching Award in 2023. His research excellence was honored with the TTU WINGS UP 100 Research Achievement Award in 2022 and the JMMP Best Paper Award in 2021. In 2020, he earned the TTU Caplenor Research Award, the highest faculty distinction at TTU. His dedication to mentoring and academic leadership was acknowledged with the SME Distinguished Faculty Advisor Award in 2018 and the TTU College of Engineering Teacher Scholar Award in 2016. Dr. Fidan’s early career accomplishments include the National Academy of Engineering FOEE Award in 2013, the US Fulbright Senior Scholar Award in 2010, and the SME Jiri Tlusty Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award in 2003. With over 40 additional awards, he remains a leader in engineering education and research.
Research Focus
Dr. Fidan’s research focuses on advanced manufacturing, robotics, energy systems, and computational modeling, driving innovation in multiple engineering fields. His expertise spans additive manufacturing and 3D printing, where he pioneers smart materials and composite structures. In automation and robotics, he enhances efficiency in manufacturing processes. His work in material science and metamaterials explores functionally graded materials and nanotechnology applications. Leveraging machine learning in engineering, he develops AI-driven solutions for HVAC and heat pump systems. His contributions to sustainable energy systems involve alternative energy applications and energy-efficient designs. Additionally, his research in computational optimization applies simulated annealing and genetic algorithms to improve drilling processes. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, Dr. Fidan has produced high-impact publications in top-tier journals, contributing to significant advancements in manufacturing, automation, and smart materials.
Publication Top Notes
1️⃣ Optimum Cutting Parameters for CFRP Composites – Processes (2024) 📖
2️⃣ Functionally Graded Metamaterials: Fabrication & Modeling – (2024) 🏗️
3️⃣ Energy Efficiency in HVAC Systems Using AI – (2023) ❄️
4️⃣ Advancements in 3D-Printed Smart Materials – (2023) 🏭
5️⃣ Machine Learning in Additive Manufacturing – (2023) 🤖
6️⃣ Simulation of Zero-Energy Buildings – (2022) 🏡
7️⃣ AI-Based Predictive Maintenance for Heat Pumps – (2022) 🔥