Karl Haapala, associate professor of manufacturing engineering, has been selected for the Fulbright-Tampere University Scholar Award to improve economic, environmental, and social performance of metal-based additive manufacturing processes through integrated machine learning and process modeling. Haapala and his family will spend the 2019-2020 year at Tampere University (TAU) in Tampere, Finland.
“I’m honored to have received this prestigious Fulbright award,” Said Hapaala. “I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with world class researchers in design engineering and smart manufacturing at Tampere University.”
He aims to build upon existing knowledge in advanced manufacturing and automation at TAU – augmenting it with his expertise in unit manufacturing process modeling and systemic sustainability assessment. This experience will extend collaborations initiated in 2018 with TAU Automation and Mechanical Engineering (AME) faculty, where he was hosted for six weeks as a Visiting Professor. In late 2018, two of his former M.S. advisees, whom Haapala continues to co-advise, began their doctoral studies in Finland with his collaborator, Eric Coatanea, professor of mechanical engineering and industrial systems.
In addition to conducting research during his year abroad, Haapala plans to offer instruction in Industrial Sustainability and Digital Manufacturing. This award will enable him to work directly with TAU researchers and at lab facilities, and to develop skills and course materials in new areas that he can bring back to Oregon State University.
The award is a special grant within the Fulbright U.S. Core Scholar Program administered by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (IIE/CIES).
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