Andrew Ang

Dr Andrew Ang is a graduate from the National University of Singapore and has a PhD from Swinburne University of Technology in the area of thermal spray coatings. Currently, he is the Co-Director of Swinburne’s Space Technology and Industry Institute (STII), Director of Microscopy & Advanced Analytical Facility (MAAF) and chief investigator within the ARC Training Centre on Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials (SEAM). Within SEAM and STII, he leads several projects focusing on material characterisation, mechanical testing, fatigue & durability analysis.

Dr Ang is currently supervising 12 PhD and Masters (Research) candidates and is the associate editor for the Journal of Thermal Spray Technology (JTST). Andrew has been an active member of the American Welding Society (AWS) C2 Committee, and also the current President of the ASM International- Thermal Spray Society (ASM-TSS). 

His expertise is primarily in metallic, ceramic and ceramic-metal composite (carbide-based) thermal spray, cold spray coatings and laser metal deposition. He has significant hands-on experience in the techniques of atmospheric plasma spray, high velocity oxygen fuel, flame spray and cold spray additive manufacturing. His area of research has revolved around applying emerging surface engineering methods, novel material alloy systems, and process innovations such as cold spray additive manufacturing. He is also actively involved in various industry projects focusing on mechanical testing, fatigue & durability, fracture mechanics, and experimental stress analysis for additively manufactured metal structures.

Despite his MCR status, Andrew has a strong commitment to pathways for the efficient manufacture of industrial products demonstrated through his strong track record in applied research with Australian businesses, in particular the defence maintenance, aerospace, repair and operations sector. His industry partners include Titomic Ltd (manufacturing), Carbon Revolution (automotive), D&T Hydraulics (mining), YarraTrams (rail), RUAG Australia (aerospace), United Surface Technology Ltd (coatings), MacTaggart Scott Australia (shipbuilding), Defence Science and Technology Group (defence), GE Oil & Gas (energy), Asia Pacific Aerospace Pty Ltd (aerospace), Oerlikon Metco (coatings), and ThermoFisher Australia (equipment). These have been positive collaborative relationships leading to these companies applying for government-sponsored grants. In recognition of his active pursuit for research excellence, Dr Ang is a recipient of several prestigious awards including International Thermal Spray Association (ITSA) Scholarship Award, Fresh Science Victoria, DMTC Early Career Award, DMTC Industry Partnership Award and Swinburne Vice Chancellors Research Excellence Award recipient.

Dr Ang one of the founding CIs responsible for ARC Training Centre in Surface Engineering for Advanced Materials (SEAM), together with Distinguished Professor Chris Berndt, to deliver commercial benefits for industry. With funding in excess of $9.5 million, it constitutes one of the largest training centres of its kind in Australia. He is also a CI of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative BioEngineering (2018-2023) and ARC Training Centre for Biofilm Research (2023-2028) and a CI for ARC Discovery Project on multifuncational high entropy alloy (HEA) coatings. Andrew is a federal council member/ treasurer of the Australian Ceramic Society and a certified materials professional of Materials Australia. He is on the ASM TSS sub-committee member for Accepted Practices and also been on ‘Best Paper Judging Panel’ for the JTST since 2016.