Zhongshu Ren (left) and Tao Sun, University of Virginia, display the results of L-PBF research.

A research team led by University of Virginia Associate Professor Tao Sun has made significant strides in advancing AM, particularly in aerospace and industries requiring robust metal parts. Their study focuses on detecting keyhole pores, which are major defects in laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF).

A research team from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, Tennessee, has successfully designed, additively manufactured, and tested a specimen capsule for use in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR). The specimen capsules are essential for nuclear fuels and materials research as they hold experiments during irradiation in test reactors.

Distinguished Service to Powder Metallurgy Awards Announced

The Metal Powder Industries Federation's (MPIF) Awards Committee has announced the recipients of the 2025 MPIF Distinguished Service to Powder Metallurgy (PM) Award that recognizes individuals who have actively served the North American PM industry for at least 25 years and, in the minds of their peers, deserve special recognition.

APMI International’s most prestigious award recognizes APMI members for their significant contributions to the goals, purpose, and mission of the organization as well as for an elevated level of expertise in the technology, practice, or business of the industry. The 2025 Fellow Award recipients will receive elevation to Fellow status at PowderMet2025 / AMPM2025, June 15–18 in Phoenix.

The 2025 recipients are Christopher Adam, PMT and Dr. Ma Qian.

According to Reuters, U.S. new-car sales in 2024 were on the rise, recovering from pandemic lows thanks to improved inventories, increased incentives, and a growing demand for hybrid vehicles.

Wards Intelligence reported earlier this month that new vehicle sales reached 15.9 million last year, marking a 2.2% increase from the previous year and the highest figure since 2019. Automakers anticipate that this upward trend will persist into 2025.