Bio
Dr. Aguirre joined Oak Ridge National Laboratory in October 2020 as an Alvin M. Weinberg Distinguished Staff Fellow in the Extreme Environments Materials Process Group at the Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. His research centers around processing and properties of additively manufactured ceramics, ceramic-metallic composites (cermets) and ceramic matrix composites. His research goals are to help develop the next generation of ultra-high temperature, harsh environment ceramics, composites and hybrid materials with enhanced thermal, mechanical, and oxidation performance. His approach to this is to combine additive manufacturing with material synthesis to create materials and structures that have not been realized with either method individually.
He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University (CSU) in 2020, where his dissertation focused on development of bioinspired structures for light-weighting and impact attenuation applications. He received a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from CSU where he investigated the spark-plasma sintering of particulate reinforced hydroxyapatite for potential bone replacement. He also received a Bachelor of Science from CSU and an Associates of Science in Engineering and Associate of Science in Mathematics from Western Nebraska Community College. He has published literature in processing, ceramics, additive manufacturing, and bioinspired design. He is a member of the American Ceramic Society, ASM International, Society of Manufacturing Engineers and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
Professional Experience
Current Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Associate Research and Development Staff
Supervisor: Dr. James W. Klett Feb. 2023-Current
Developing additive manufacturing (AM) strategies for 1) refractory and ultra-high temperature ceramics and ceramics composites and 2) ceramic-metallic heterogenous material composites
Developing novel SiC-SiC-W and SiC-ZrB2-W composites that were tested for potential use as a thermal protection system on a sounding rocket as part of the Sandia National Labs H4H campaign in October 2021.
Developed novel method for processing of near-net-shape reaction bonded porous silicon nitride
Finite element modeling of environmental barrier coatings (EBC) to determine the effect oxide induced stress on the cracking and delamination of the EBC.
Alvin M. Weinberg Distinguished Staff Fellow
Supervisors: Dr. Vlastimil Kunc Oct. 2020–July 2022,
Dr. James W. Klett July 2022–Feb. 2023
Developing additive manufacturing (AM) strategies for 1) refractory and ultra-high temperature ceramics and ceramics composites and 2) ceramic-metallic heterogenous material composites
Developing novel SiC-SiC-W and SiC-ZrB2-W composites that were tested for potential use as a thermal protection system on a sounding rocket as part of the Sandia National Labs H4H campaign in October 2021.
Developed novel method for processing of near-net-shape reaction bonded porous silicon nitride
Finite element modeling of environmental barrier coatings (EBC) to determine the effect oxide induced stress on the cracking and delamination of the EBC.
ASTRO Scholar and Additive Manufacturing Intern
Supervisor: Dr. Amy M. Elliott May 2019–Aug. 2019
Development, testing, and manufacture of ceramic heat exchangers using binder jet additive manufacturing, polymer infiltration and pyrolysis, and reactive melt infiltration.
Fabrication, characterization, and testing of ultra-high temperature ceramic composites for high temperature applications
2020 Colorado State University
Graduate Research Assistant, Ph.D
Advisor: Dr. Seth W. Donahue Aug. 2017–July 2020
Studied unique porous bone architectures adapted for extreme loading conditions
Collected trabecular bone cores from dinosaur tibiae and femora to study bone adaption
Studied and bio mimicked the velar architecture in Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep to generate novel energy absorbing structures for low velocity impact applications (helmets/shoes/vehicles)
Mechanical testing and finite element analysis of unique trabecular bone architectures to determine structure-based strength differences
Graduate Research Assistant, M.S.
Dr. Troy B. Holland Aug. 2014–May 2017
Statistical experimental design to determine optimal parameters for sintering experiments
Designed and manufactured specialty tooling and mechanical testing fixtures
Mechanical testing (micro- and nano-hardness, fracture toughness, and flexural strength)
2014 EVRAZ Rocky Mountain Steel Mill
Product Technology Intern,
Supervisor: Mr. Greg Garcia May 2014–Aug. 2014
Developed contact mechanics models to visualize subsurface stress distribution during wheel and rail contact to better understand rolling contact fatigue
Developed a graphical tool for tracking metallurgical defect occurrences in rail
Tensile testing and data analysis for mechanical property quantification of novel steel alloys
Gained experience in non-destructive testing processes
2013 Transportation Technology Center (now MxV Rail)
Engineering Services Intern
Supervisor: Mr. Greg Garcia May 2011–May 2013
Metallographic sample preparation for grain size analysis and non-destructive analyses.
Gained experience in non-destructive testing processes such as ultrasonic, dye penetrant, and magnetic particle testing to determine flaw size and location in rails
Analyzed experimental data to create a wear-growth curve for trafficked railroad track
Education
2020 Colorado State University (CSU) – Fort Collins, Colorado
Doctor of Philosophy: Mech. Engr., Advisor: Dr. Seth W. Donahue, GPA: 3.57/4.00
Dissertation: Bio-inspired Design for Engineering Applications - Empirical and Finite Element Studies of Mechanically Adapted Bone Architectures
2017 Master of Science: Mech. Engr., Advisor: Dr. Troy B. Holland, GPA: 3.57/4.00
Thesis: Effects of the addition of boron-nitride nanoplatelets to hydroxyapatite: processing, testing, and characterization
2014 Bachelor of Science: Mech. Engr. GPA: 3.17/4.00
2010 Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) – Scottsbluff, Nebraska
Associate of Science: Engineering, GPA: 3.19/4.00
Associate of Science: Mathematics, GPA: 3.19/4.00
Professional Service
Oak Ridge Chapter of ASM, International - Secretary June 2023 - June 2024
Oak Ridge Chapter of ASM, International - Vice-chair June 2024 - June 2025
Reviewer for Applied Materials, Results in Materials, International Journal of Refractory and Hard Materials, Advances in Applied Ceramics, and Ceramics International.
Professional Affiliations
American Ceramic Society
ASM, International
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers