2022 Annual Report 2022 | Page 45

The DREAMS Lab has grown rapidly since Williams arrived on campus , filling two large rooms in Goodwin Hall and adding the capacity for 3D printing materials such as copper , latex , and Kapton . Projects have been sponsored by the National Science Foundation , the Office of Naval Research , the Department of Energy , and industry partners , among others .
“ As a kid dreaming of one day becoming an engineer , I set having a single patent as a ‘ bucket list ’ -level achievement ,” said Williams . “ Now , having the experience to work on multiple inventions and to receive this honor is honestly hard for me to believe . This recognition is not possible without the excellent student researchers and faculty collaborators that I have had the honor to work with here at Virginia Tech . I consider myself fortunate to have the opportunity to research the future of additive manufacturing while working alongside its future leaders .”
Williams has served as a mentor to those future leaders , working with a host of graduate and undergraduate researchers . Undergraduate mentees include two senior design teams and an undergraduate group that came together in the DREAMS lab for a project that was awarded a $ 75,000 grant from NASA .
Graduate student Lindsey Bezek has worked with Williams since 2014 , and is now completing her Ph . D . under Williams ’ guidance .
“ The opportunity to do research in the DREAMS lab , from undergraduate research to my senior design project and now through my Ph . D . research , has been a one-of-a-kind opportunity to work in an internationally-recognized facility with an inspiring mentor ,” Bezek said . “ Dr . Williams genuinely cares about all of his students - their research , their career goals , their success - and he provides individualized advising to help each student ’ s professional growth . Under his guidance , I have learned how to become a better researcher , while improving skills such as writing and presenting , that will prepare me for success in my future career path . As additive manufacturing has evolved over the years , Dr . Williams has invested energy and enthusiasm to continue to learn , explore new ideas , and advance the state of the art for several additive manufacturing processes . He has built a lab culture that encourages experimentation , embraces innovation , and values outreach . His curiosity and passion are what guarantees the sustainability of innovative research in his lab .”
Williams has used his lab to model the university motto of Ut Prosim ( That I May Serve ) by mobilizing his team to produce reusable respirators during the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic . The mask could be rapidly reproduced during a critical period of the coronavirus outbreak where the demand for personal protective gear far outpaced supplies , providing a backup that could be created on 3D printers .
Williams also serves as chair of the Additive Manufacturing Community Leadership Committee within the Society of Manufacturing Engineers . He was the recipient of an NSF CAREER Award in 2013 and named a Faculty Fellow of the Virginia Tech College of Engineering in 2015 .
“ We are very proud of Dr . Williams for receiving this recognition ,” said Corina Sandu , acting head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering . “ His career has been exciting to watch , and many of his peers consider him one of the top experts in his field . He is more than deserving of this award .”
ANNUAL REPORT 2022
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