SME Celebrates Innovation in Composites and AM at AeroDef and RAPID + TCT 2025

This April, the future of manufacturing took center stage in Detroit. SME proudly hosted two of the industry's most influential events: AeroDef Manufacturing and RAPID + TCT 2025, bringing together innovators, visionaries, and changemakers from around the world. With two dynamic conferences in full swing, the energy was electric as the community gathered to exchange ideas, explore breakthrough technologies, and celebrate the achievements shaping the next generation of composites and additive manufacturing.

As part of this momentum, SME recognized outstanding individuals, teams, and organizations through its annual awards programs. These honorees are not just contributing to the field. They are pushing boundaries, redefining possibilities, and driving real-world impact across industries. Here is a look at this year’s award winners and the innovations they are championing.

Celebrating Composites Excellence at AeroDef 2025

SME’s Composites Technical Community spotlighted pioneers redefining how composite materials are designed and manufactured:

• J.H. “Jud” Hall Award: Anoush Poursartip, PhD, PEng, FCAE (University of British Columbia) was honored for his global leadership in composites research and education.
• Emerging Innovator Award: Christopher Oberste (WEAV3D Inc.) was recognized for revolutionizing composite forming with his company’s automated weaving and consolidation process.
• Excellence in Composites Award: Magestic Technologies (NY) was commended for advancing efficient, next-gen composite manufacturing processes.

Advancing Additive Manufacturing at RAPID + TCT 2025

SME’s Additive Manufacturing Technical Community celebrated game-changing work in digital fabrication, sustainability, and commercialization.

Industry Achievement Award
Honoree: John E. Barnes, Founder & President, The Barnes Global Advisors
Recognized for decades of contributions to commercializing metal additive manufacturing (AM) across industries.

Pitchfest Winner
Company: Solideon
Awarded for their bold vision to “Build Hardware at the Speed of Software.”

Aubin AM Case Study Award

• Winner: Dimensional Energy & Oak Ridge National Lab
   Silicon carbide AM for clean energy applications.
• Runner-Up: Norsk Titanium & Boeing
   Metal AM advancements for aerospace.

AM Startup Technology Award

• Winner: 3D Architech
   High-resolution metal AM for industrial energy efficiency.
• Runner-Up: AMIS and Snowbird Technologies
   Intelligent preparation software and mobile AM systems.

Digital Manufacturing Challenge

• High School Winner:
  School: DuPont Manual High School
  Submission: Sustainable and Effective Composite Repairs Using Novel 3D Printed Patch Designs
  Team Member: Vallabh Ramesh
   Advisor: Kunal Kate, PhD
  
  
• Undergraduate Winner:
  Schools: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute & Cornell University
  Submission: Micro Solar-Based Steam-Powered Desalination Plant
  Team Members: Ammar Barbee, Grace Oyama, Julian Stoller, Grace Yu
  Advisor: Sam Chiappone
  
  
• Graduate Winner:
  School: University of Georgia
  Submission: Fabrication of Wind Turbine Blade Solid Wastes for High-Performance Composite Fibers
  Team Members: Varunkumar Thippanna, Martin Taylor Sobczak
  Advisor: Kenan Song, PhD

From student innovations to startup breakthroughs, SME’s 2025 awards showcase how advanced manufacturing is solving today’s challenges and building tomorrow’s technologies. The future is here, and it’s being made.