Amy M Elliott

Bio

Dr. Amy M. Elliott leads the Robotics & Intelligent Systems group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where she directs research at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, materials science, and robotics. Her work focuses on developing transformative manufacturing methods for energy, national security, and space applications, emphasizing scalable solutions that link materials behavior with design and automation.

With more than 20 issued U.S. patents, two R&D 100 Awards, and numerous high-impact publications, Dr. Elliott has established herself as one of the leading innovators in additive manufacturing. Her research spans a wide range of topics—from the additive fabrication of ceramics, metals, and composites to robotics-enabled component assembly and process automation. She is internationally recognized for pioneering ordered TRISO nuclear fuel architectures using additive manufacturing, a breakthrough that enables precise spatial control of fuel microstructure for enhanced safety and performance in advanced reactors and space-power systems.

Dr. Elliott’s cross-disciplinary portfolio also includes the development of neutron-collimation components, magnetic materials, and high-efficiency thermal management systems. Her work bridges multiple scales—from nanoscale coatings and imaging-based process control to macroscale structural systems—and embodies a deep integration of materials science, mechanical engineering, and manufacturing design.

In addition to her scientific achievements, Dr. Elliott is a nationally recognized STEM communicator and advocate. She serves as an AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador, a program that highlights women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to inspire the next generation. Her outreach initiatives include the Amelia Gearheart educational series and numerous public engagements such as Smithsonian exhibitions, national television appearances, and STEM events nationwide. Through these efforts, she works to make science more visible, approachable, and inclusive for students and young professionals.

Her contributions have been recognized with honors including the ASME Top 25 Early Career Engineers (2024), ORNL Distinguished Inventor Award (2024), and the ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Young Professional Award (2021).

Awards

• ASME Top 25 Early Career Engineers Watch List, 2024
• ORNL Distinguished Inventor Award, 2024
• German-American Frontiers of Engineering (GAFOE), National Academy of Engineering, Invited Speaker, 2025
• Manufacturing Science Division Core Value Award (Service Category), ORNL, 2024
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) – Top 20 Women in Robotics, 2021
  SME Article
• AAAS IF/THEN Ambassador, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2019 – Present
  – Featured in the If/ThenSheCan Smithsonian exhibit (2022) as a national STEM role model
• ASTM International Additive Manufacturing Young Professional Award, 2021
• Tennessee Valley YWCA Tribute to Women Honoree (Science, Technology & Environment category), 2021
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer, 2022
• R&D 100 Award, High-Strength Binder System for Additive Manufacturing, 2019
• R&D 100 Award, Additively Printed High-Performance Magnets, 2017
• Tennessee Tech University Engineering Young Alumnus of Achievement Award, 2017

Education

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech), 2014
  Advisor: Dr. Chris Williams
  Dissertation Focus: Additive manufacturing process development and design innovation
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, 2009
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2014–2015
  Advisor: Dr. Lonnie Love
  Focus: Additive manufacturing of metals and ceramics for advanced energy systems

Professional Service

• American Society for Materials International (ASM International), Oak Ridge Chapter
  • Chair (2024), Vice Chair (2023), Secretary (2022), Past Chair (2025)
  • Organized and hosted monthly technical lectures and networking events for regional materials professionals.
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
  • Additive Manufacturing Technical Community Leadership Committee, 2022–Present
  • Contributes to national strategy on AM education, standards, and emerging technology areas.
• ASTM International
  • Co-Chair, ASTM–ISO Binder Jet Design Guide, 2023–2024
  • Scientific Organizing Committee Member, ASTM International Conference on Additive Manufacturing, 2021–2024
• ORNL Distinguished Staff Fellowship Committee, 2022–2023
  • Evaluated applications and provided recommendations for early-career research awards.
• Conference & Workshop Leadership
  • Organizer and Lead, Women in 3D Printing – TIPE Conference Technology Track (2021–2022)
  • Host Institution Conference Chair, National Academy of Engineering German-American Frontiers of Engineering Symposium (2021)
  • Instructor and Invited Workshop Lead, POWDERMET “Metal AM Tutorial” on Powder Processing: Quality, Handling & Safety (2021)
• Academic Mentorship & External Thesis Committees
  • Served on M.S. and Ph.D. committees for students at North Carolina A&T State University and University of Toledo (2021–2024)
  • Mentored students through DOE’s Minority Serving Institutions and Partnerships Program.
• Technology Commercialization & Entrepreneurship
  • ORNL Tech Transfer Liaison (2023)
  • Program Mentor, University of Chicago Booth School of Business “Lab to Launch” (2024)

Professional Affiliations

• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) – Member; recognized on the Top 25 Early Career Engineers Watch List (2024)
• American Society for Materials International (ASM International) – Oak Ridge Chapter Officer (Secretary 2022; Vice Chair 2023; Chair 2024; Past Chair 2025)
• Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) – Member; Additive Manufacturing Technical Community Leadership Committee (2022–Present)
• ASTM International – Active participant in additive manufacturing standards development; Co-Chair of the ASTM–ISO Binder Jet Design Guide (2023–2024)
• American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) – IF/THEN Ambassador (2019–Present)
• National Academy of Engineering (NAE) – Invited Participant, German-American Frontiers of Engineering (2025)
• Women in 3D Printing (Wi3DP) – Conference organizer and community leader for the TIPE Technology Track (2021–2022)

Trademarks and Patents

Patents: Additive Manufacturing & Process Innovation

1. Method for Producing Mechanical Engagement Between a Build Platform and Additive Manufacturing Prints
   Elliott, A. M. – US 10,245,781 (B2), 2019
2. Build Platform That Provides Mechanical Engagement with Additive Manufacturing Prints
   Elliott, A. M. – US 20180147774 A1, 2018
3. Indirect Additive Manufacturing Process Using Amine-Containing Adhesive Polymers
   Saito, T., Elliott, A. M., et al. – US 11,254,617 (B2), 2020
4. Apparatus and Method for Three-Dimensional Metal Printing
   Klett, J. W., Elliott, A. M., et al. – US 11,090,726 (B2), 2021
5. Indirect Additive Manufacturing Process for Fabricating Bonded Soft Magnets
   Paranthaman, P. M., et al., including A. M. Elliott – US 11,993,834 (B2), 2024
6. Additive Manufacturing Process for Producing Aluminum–Boron Carbide Metal Matrix Composites
   Cramer, C. L., et al., including A. M. Elliott – US 11,898,226 (B2), 2024
7. In-Situ Reactive Curing and Infiltration in Binder Jet Additive Manufacturing (Pending)
   Elliott, A. M., Gilmer, D. B., Han, L., Saito, T. – Application No. 63/389,998 (Filed 2022)
8. Pre-Ceramic Polymer Printing Binders for Advanced Ceramics (Pending)
   Aguirre, T., Bullock, S. E., Cramer, C. L., Elliott, A. M., et al. – Application No. 63/541,574 (Filed 2023)
9. Phenolic Post-Processing with Reactive Melt Infiltration on Additively Manufactured Silicon Carbide Preforms (Pending)
   Cramer, C. L., Elliott, A. M., Lara-Curzio, E., Nawaz, K. – Application No. 63/115,078 (Filed 2021)

Nuclear, Energy, and Thermal Systems

10. Automated Particle Embedding in Additive Manufacturing for TRISO Fuel Pellet Fabrication (Pending)
    Elliott, A. M., Nelson, A. T., Prichard, P. D., Goodman, L. – Application No. 19/348,408 (Filed 2025)
11. Method for Producing Neutron Collimators Using Additive Manufacturing
    Anderson, D. C., Ramirez-Cuesta, A. J., Stone, M. B., Elliott, A. M., Siddel, D. H. – US 12,062,464 (B2), 2024
12. Additive Manufacturing of Composite Neutron-Absorbing Components
    Anderson, D. C., Elliott, A. M., Haberl, B., Granroth, G. E. – US 11,538,597 (B2), 2022
13. Method for Producing Collimators and Other Components from Neutron-Absorbing Materials Using Additive Manufacturing
    Anderson, D. A., Elliott, A. M. – US 11,404,180 (B2), 2022
14. Indirect Additive Manufacturing Process for Producing SiC–B₄C–Si Composites
    Cramer, C. L., Lowden, R. A., Unocic, K. A., McMurray, J. W., Elliott, A. M. – US 11,364,654 (B2), 2022
15. Compliant Heats, Heat Pipes, and Methods for Making Same
    Lara-Curzio, E., Elliott, A. M., et al. – US 11,633,789 (B2), 2023
16. Reactive Matrix Infiltration of Powder Preforms
    Rios, O., Elliott, A. M., et al. – US 11,565,318 (B2), 2023
17. Additive-Manufactured Interpenetrating-Phase Composite
    Pawlowski, A. E., Shyam, A., Splitter, D. A., Elliott, A. M., Cordero, Z. C. – US 11,325,206 (B2), 2022

Robotics, Automation, and Systems Integration

18. Automated Depowdering and Transfer of Additively Manufactured Parts via Robotics (Pending)
    Elliott, A. M., Hamoush, S., Muktadir, M. A., Sepulveda, S., Yi, S. – Application No. 63/528,708 (Filed 2023)
19. Water-Soluble Barrier Coatings for Washout Tooling for Composite Layup
    Saito, T., Han, L., Elliott, A. M., Gilmer, D. B. – US 11,524,427 (B2), 2021
20. Systems and Methods for Additively Manufacturing Caloric Microstructures
    Schroder, M., Elliott, A. M., et al. – US 20220055308 A1, 2024
21. Method for Forming a Caloric Regenerator
    Schroeder, M., Elliott, A. M. – US 2018015775 A1, 2018
22. 3D Printing Vending Machine
    Williams, C., Elliott, A. M., McCarthy, D., Meisel, N. – US 20140288699 A1, 2014
23. Thermal-Powered Reciprocating-Force Motor
    Tatum, P. F. III, Elliott, A. M. – US 8,938,965 B1, 2015
     

Publications