Respected composites researcher first hire at Purdue's CMSC

Jan-Anders Månson
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Jan-Anders E. Månson, an expert in composites manufacturing, in October will join the Composite Manufacturing Simulation Center at Purdue University.

Månson accepted a distinguished professorship within the College of Engineering under the college's Preeminent Faculty Program and the Leading Faculty Program of the Office of the Provost. He will have academic appointments in the Schools of Materials Engineering and Chemical Engineering.

"We can think of no one more distinguished, nor more perfectly prepared to join the important work to revolutionize the manufacture of energy efficient products in our society than Jan-Anders E. Månson," said R. Byron Pipes, John Bray Distinguished Professor of Engineering and chair of the Preeminent Faculty Search Committee. "Not only does he bring a distinguished career experience in scholarship and academic leadership, but his commitment to student discovery and learning is palpable."

His position at Purdue also makes him part of the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, part of the National Network of Manufacturing Institutes supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Månson has been elected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences and the Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences.

He is the founder of the composites companies EELCEE Ltd. and QEESTAR Co. Ltd., which are active in the field of high-volume composites and additive manufacturing.

In 1990, Månson joined the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne as professor and director of a chair in Polymer and Composite Technology at the Institute of Materials. Manson served four years as vice president of innovation and technology transfer at EPFL.

His research at EPFL-LTC has focused on novel cost-effective materials and manufacturing methods as well as unique additional functionalities, beyond the classical characteristics of composite materials. Scaling strategies for industrial implementation has been a focus since the beginning of his career. The research partners have been primarily in the automotive, aerospace, chemical, medical and sport industries and has led to over 600 scientific publications.

The scientific direction of his work in composites manufacturing has evolved. Early work in cost-efficient mass production of composites complemented by increased functionality and added value led to his current direction, aiming at added value composites for high volume serial production.

He enjoys teaching and tries to have a "split-vision" approach, combining fundamentals with pragmatic insights. This approach has created a demand-driven interest with students. In classes in Polymer Composites and Material for Sport, he also has integrated student projects related to entrepreneurial and startup opportunities. He stresses the benefits of "discovery learning laboratories" for the students, as a way to complement the more traditional learning structures of departments and laboratories.

He also serves on the academic board of IOC's online education program for Olympic athletes in order for them to stay in touch with education and academic concepts in field of Sports. 

Writer: Brian L. Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu 

Source: R. Byron Pipes, 765-494-5767, bpipes@purdue.edu