Arun Arjunan is the Reader in additive manufacturing of functional materials at the University of Wolverhampton. Prior to that, he was Senior Lecturer, Lecturer, and Course Leader in mechanical engineering at the same university. He obtained his PhD on a fully-funded research scholarship at the interface of structural mechanics, vibro-acoustics, and numerical modelling. As a result of his innovative pedagogic practices and research lead teaching, Arun was recognised as the Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in 2015.

Arun leads the Additive Manufacturing of Functional Materials (AMFM) research group, which is focused on developing multifunctional materials that can be additively manufactured (3D printed) for on-demand problem-solving. The research activities of the group are supported by a range of interdisciplinary academic specialists, post-docs, research technicians and PhD students. Arun’s research specialises in the development of advanced additive manufacturing techniques for the fabrication of metamaterials with unprecedented or rare mechanical, auxetic, acoustic, or biological properties. He has made numerous contributions in meta-biomaterials used in the context of bone tissue regeneration, implant performance and decreasing the risk of implant-associated infections. His interest in metamaterial has also led to the development of the Herschel‑Quincke-Arjunan waveguides for passive noise cancellation. Arun has supervised Ph.D. students, published in leading research journals, and has his research funded by numerous research grants including from the UK Department of Transport (DfT), European Union, and Industrial Partnerships.

Arun is a member of the AMT/8 Additive Manufacturing BSI standards development committee responsible for standards to support innovative advancements within additive manufacturing processes relevant to the UK industry and input into the international additive manufacturing standards committee ISO/TC 261 and the European additive manufacturing standards committee CEN/TC 438. He is also an external examiner (2016-2020) for the University of Greenwich and serves as a Reviewer and Panel Member for the British Research Council. He won the GKN award in 2011, the Elsevier Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing Award in 2015, and the Vice chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Research in 2020. He was also nominated for 2019 and 2020 ‘Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the United Kingdom’ and was THE ENGINEER UK Collaborate to Innovate Finalist for the research on 3D smart swabs for COVID-19 sample collection. He has served on international advisory committees, review panels of funding agencies, and as a member of award committees.

Other roles
Leading the additive manufacturing of functional materials (AMFM) research group
Member of ‘AMT/8 Additive Manufacturing’ BSI standards development committee
External examiner for University of Greenwich (2016-2020: 5 years)

Recent accolades
Vice chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Research in 2020
THE ENGINEER UK Collaborate to Innovate Finalist 2021
Nominated for Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the United Kingdom (2019 and 2020)

Recently featured research in media
COVID-19 resistant metal: https://www.metal-am.com/university-of-wolverhampton-researchers-additively-manufacture-covid-19-resistant-metal/ 
3D printed smart swab could alleviate COVID-19 test concerns: https://www.theengineer.co.uk/3d-printed-smart-swab-covid-19-tests/ 
3D printed silver implants help tackle infections: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/2020/november-2020/3d-printed-silver-implants-help-tackle-infections.php 

External links
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5493-0957 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrArunArjunan  
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arun-arjunan-5b6062197  
Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Arun_Arjunan  

Arun leads the research activity in the school of engineering relating to the development of functional materials that can be additively manufactured (3D printed) for on-demand problem-solving. He specialises in the development of advanced additive manufacturing techniques for the fabrication of metamaterials with unprecedented or rare mechanical, auxetic, acoustic, or biological properties. He has made numerous contributions in meta-biomaterials used in the context of bone tissue regeneration, implant performance and decreasing the risk of implant-associated infections. His interest in metamaterial has also led to the development of the Herschel‑Quincke-Arjunan waveguides for passive noise cancellation. Arun has supervised Ph.D. students, published in leading research journals, and has his research funded by numerous research grants including from the UK Department of Transport (DfT), European Union, and Industrial Partnerships.

Arun is also an external examiner (2016-2020) for the University of Greenwich and serves as a Reviewer and Panel Member for the British Research Council. He won the GKN award in 2011, the Elsevier Outstanding Contribution in Reviewing Award in 2015, and the Vice chancellor’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to Research in 2020. He was also nominated for 2019 and 2020 ‘Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists in the United Kingdom’ and was THE ENGINEER UK Collaborate to Innovate Finalist for the research on 3D smart swabs for COVID-19 sample collection. He has served on international advisory committees, review panels of funding agencies, and as a member of award committees.

Keywords: Metamaterials; additive manufacturing (3D printing); auxetic materials; meta-biomaterials; infection resistance; biomedical implants; tissue engineering; vibroacoustics 

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5493-0957 

Some of the latest research projects include:

Research Grants (ongoing)

12. SIRC Science in Industry Research Centre
Period: 2019-10 to 2022-09 | Type: Grant
GRANT_NUMBER: 01R19P03464
Role: Co-investigator
Total funding amount GBP £1,298,855
Awarding body: UK Government: The Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) with part European Regional Development Funding (ERDF)

11. APTIME Additive Process Technology Integration
European Commission (Brussels, Europe)2019-09 to 2022-08|Grant
GRANT_NUMBER: Grant Agreement No 408820  -  2019-1-UK01-KA203-062066 
Role: Co-investigator
Project website:https://aptimeproject.eu/ 
URL: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/projects/eplus-project-details/#project/2019-1-UK01-KA203-062066 
Total funding amount EUR € 408,820
Awarding body: European Union (ERASMUS+)

10. Wrekin Products Limited
Innovate UK (Swindon) 2019-02-01 to 2021-07-30|Grant
GRANT_NUMBER: 511345
Role: Lead Academic
URL: https://app.dimensions.ai/details/grant/grant.8101249 
Total funding amount GBP £123785
Description: To develop a new range of fabricated steel access covers, manufactured on-site introducing new innovative production methods and design modularisation giving productivity efficiencies to meet stringent market specification requirements undercutting competitors.

9. CALMERIC
European Commission (Belgium, Europe) 2019-01 to 2021-12|Grant
GRANT_NUMBER: 32R19P03053
Role: Co-investigator
URL: https://www.wlv.ac.uk/business-services/funding-and-support/calmeric-project/ 
Total funding amount GBP £1112412
Description: Composites, additive layer manufacturing, and finite element simulation.

Research Grants (completed)

8. Adoption of Passive Destruction Interference to develop high-efficiency sound attenuating structures for high speed rail network in the UK
UK Department for Transport (London, United Kingdom) 2015-09 to 2016-01|Grant
GRANT_NUMBER: 150902
Total funding amount GBP £24951
Role: Principal investigator
Description: This aim of this research was to study the relationship between geometrical cavities and acoustic interference to establish proof of concept and laboratory prototype to develop a high-efficiency noise cancelling structure for High Speed (HS) rail noise abatement.

7. Syspal Limited
Innovate UK (Swindon) 2015-02-01 to 2017-01-31|Grant
GRANT_NUMBER: 509413
Role: Co-investigator
URL: https://app.dimensions.ai/details/grant/grant.3959009 
Total funding amount GBP £72600
Description: To develop a second generation of Hydro Physio treadmills for human medical and rehabilitation markets, ensuring it satisfies medical device electrical regulations and introducing novel means of powering and controlling the treadmill.

6. Whale Tankers Limited
Innovate UK (Swindon) 2015-01-01 to 2017-12-31|Grant
GRANT_NUMBER: 509435
Role: Co-investigator
URL: https://app.dimensions.ai/details/grant/grant.3958193 
Total funding amount GBP £108900
Description: To develop new boom and arm design on MVC liquid waste tankers. To improve the ergonomics, usage, operations, functionality, styling and cost.

5. Primary FlowPoints Limited
Innovate UK (Swindon) 2014-11-01 to 2016-04-29|Grant
GRANT_NUMBER: 509262
Role: Lead Academic
URL: https://app.dimensions.ai/details/grant/grant.3956332 
Total funding amount GBP £54450
Description: To utilise design for manufacture methods through the design and development of a mid market, positive displacement meter for use with high velocity fluids.

4. Wrekin Products Limited
Innovate UK (Swindon) 2014-08-31 to 2016-11-30|Grant
GRANT_NUMBER: 509136
Role: Co-investigator
URL: https://app.dimensions.ai/details/grant/grant.3959701 
Total funding amount GBP £90750
Description: To develop and introduce to market new ranges of manhole covers that incorporate improvements derived from the portfolio of registered intellectual property.

3. QR Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF)
Role: Principal investigator
Period: 2019-20
Description: Workshop of on the foundation for future ODA activity to foster and support low-cost patient-specific biomaterials/biomedical applications.
Total funding amount GBP £2900

2. Investigation of the Acoustical and Airflow Performance of Stiffness Graded Porous Geometries using Nylon 12
University of Wolverhampton (Wolverhampton, Telford) 2015-10 to 2016-09|Grant
GRANT_NUMBER: ERASAPP (2015-16)
Role: Lead Academic
Total funding amount GBP £4984
Description: This ERAS project explores the merging field of Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) and acoustics through investigating the noise attenuating and flow behaviour of porous geometries manufactured using Selective Laser Sintering technology in a Nylon 12 material. The aim is to put forward design guidelines relating acoustic frequency, with geometrical characteristics resulting in an enhanced acoustic attenuation with minimal flow hindrance. This study will act as an initial investigation for integrating acoustic and flow performance using digital fabrication techniques.

1. An investigation into ‘good practice’, students’ and lecturers’ perspectives on the NSS questions 1-4.
VCSEI (Wolverhampton, West Midlands) 2015-11 to 2016-09|Grant
GRANT_NUMBER: VCSEI1516 (Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching)
Role: Co-investigator
Total funding amount GBP £9332
Description: (1) What strategies and practices are used to explain things during the course and why are they seen as good practice by lecturers and students? (2) How do lecturers and staff members make the subject interesting? (3) What are the methods used to demonstrate staff enthusiasm about what they are teaching? (4) What are students’ and lecturers’ perspectives on the methods used to promote intellectual stimulation on courses? (5) What are the similarities and differences across courses? (6) What common practices can be shared across courses?

• SFHEA: Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
• NAFEMS: Member of the National Agency for Finite Element Methods and Standards (Institutional membership attached to the University of Wolverhampton)

PhD in Mechanical Engineering

PgCert-HE Postgraduate certification in Higher Education

BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

Policy Reports

A. Arjunan, C. Burnham-Stevens, C. Connon, K. Dalgarno, J, Ding, M. Domingos, J. Dudman, A. El-Haj, A. Faulkner, L. Grover, D. Hay, YYS. Huang, D. Kalaskar, R. Lévy, P. Li, P. Murray, A. Smith, F. Spagnoli, E. Stead, and A. Stratton-Powell. 3D bioprinting in medicine. Bridging research and policy, The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. UK Parliament POST collated by Melissa Jackson and Peter Border, published on March 13, 2020. Significance: This POSTnote gives an overview of 3D bioprinting in medicine and the associated biological, manufacturing, regulatory, and ethical implications for policy development.
Full report: https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0620/ 

Book Chapters

A. Baroutaji, A. Arjunan, M. Ramadan, A. Alaswad, H. Achour, MA. Abdelkareem and AG. Olabi. Nanocrystalline Mg2Ni for Hydrogen Storage. Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering (2021). Elsevier.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815732-9.00061-9

A. Arjunan, A. Baroutaji, AS. Praveen, J. Robinson and C. Wang. Classification of Biomaterial Functionality. Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering (2020). Elsevier.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815732-9.00027-9 

A. Baroutaji, A. Arjunan, A. Alaswad, AS. Praveen, T. Wilberforce, MA. Abdelkareem and AG. Olabi. Materials for Fuel Cell Membranes. Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering (2020). Elsevier.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815732-9.00034-6 

A. Arjunan, A. Baroutaji, AS. Praveen, AG. Olabi and CJ. Wang. Acoustic Performance of Metallic Foams. Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering (2019). Elsevier.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803581-8.11561-9 

A. Baroutaji, A. Arjunan, A. Niknejad, TN. Tran and AG. Olabi. Application of Cellular Material in Crashworthiness Applications: An Overview. Reference Module in Materials Science and Materials Engineering (2019). Elsevier.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-803581-8.09268-7

Journal Articles

TN. Tran, A. Baroutaji, Q. Estrada, A. Arjunan, H. Le and NP. Thien. Crashworthiness analysis and optimization of standard and windowed multi-cell hexagonal tubes. Struct Multidisc Optim (2021).
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00158-020-02794-y

A. Baroutaji, A. Arjunan, M. Ramadan, J. Robinson, A. Alaswad, MA. Abdelkareem and AG. Olabi. Advancements and prospects of thermal management and waste heat recovery of PEMFC. International Journal of Thermofluids (2021) 100064.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijft.2021.100064 

A. Arjunan, S. Zahid, A. Baroutaji and J. Robinson. 3D printed auxetic nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 sample collection. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 114 (2021) 104175.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104175 

J. Robinson, A. Arjunan, M. Stanford, I. Lyall and C. Williams. Effect of silver addition in copper-silver alloys fabricated by laser powder bed fusion in situ alloying. Journal of Alloys and Compounds (2020) 157561.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.157561 

A. Baroutaji, A. Arjunan, M. Stanford, J. Robinson, and AG. Olabi. Deformation and energy absorption of additively manufactured functionally graded thickness thin-walled circular tubes under lateral crushing. Engineering Structures, 226 (2021) 111324.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111324 

A. Arjunan, J. Robinson, Enas Al Ani, W. Heaselgrave, A. Baroutaji and CJ. Wang. Mechanical performance of additively manufactured pure silver antibacterial bone scaffolds. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 112 (2020) 104090.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2020.104090 

J. Robinson, M. Stanford and A. Arjunan. Correlation between selective laser melting parameters, pore defects and tensile properties of 99.9 % silver. Materials Today Comm., 25 (December 2020), 101550.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2020.101550 

A. Arjunan, M. Singh, A. Baroutaji and CJ. Wang. Additively manufactured AlSi10Mg inherently stable thin and thick-walled lattice with negative Poisson’s ratio. Composite Structures, (2020) 112469.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112469 

J. Robinson, M. Stanford and A. Arjunan. Stable formation of powder bed laser fused 99.9% silver. Materials Today Comm., 24 (September 2020), 101195.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2020.101195 

H. Nikkhah, A. Baroutaji, Z.Kazanci, A.Arjunan. Evaluation of crushing and energy absorption characteristics of bio-inspired nested structures. Thin-Walled Structures 148 (2020) 106615.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tws.2020.106615 

AS. Praveen and A. Arjunan. Effect of nano-Al2O3 addition on the microstructure and erosion wear of HVOF sprayed NiCrSiB coatings. Materials Research Express, 7 (2019) 015006.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/ab5bda 

A. Arjunan, M. Demetriou, A. Baroutaji and CJ. Wang. Mechanical performance of highly permeable laser melted Ti6Al4V bone scaffolds. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, 102 (2020) 103517.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2019.103517 

AS. Praveen and A. Arjunan. Parametric optimisation of high-velocity oxy-fuel nickel-chromium-silicon-boron and aluminium-oxide coating to improve erosion wear resistance. Materials Research Express, volume 6 (2019) 096560, issue 9.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2053-1591/ab301c 

A. Arjunan. Targeted sound attenuation capacity of 3D printed noise cancelling waveguides. Applied Acoustics, volume 151 (2019) pp. 30-44.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2019.03.008

A. Arjunan. Acoustic absorption of passive destructive interference cavities. Materials Today Comm., volume 19 (2019), pp. 68-75.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2018.12.012

K. Bari, A. Arjunan. Extra low interstitial titanium based fully porous morphological bone scaffolds manufactured using selective laser melting. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials, volume 95 (2019) pp. 1-12.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2019.03.025

A. Vance, K. Bari and A. Arjunan. Investigation of Ti64 sheathed cellular anatomical structure as a tibia implant. Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express, volume 5 (2019) 035008.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/2057-1976/ab0bd7

A. Vance, K. Bari and A. Arjunan. Compressive performance of an arbitrary stiffness matched anatomical Ti64 implant manufactured using Direct Metal Laser Sintering. Materials & Design, volume 160 (2018) pp. 1281-1294.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2018.11.005

A. Arjunan, CJ. Wang, M. English, M. Stanford and P. Lister. A Computationally-Efficient Numerical Model to Characterize the Noise Behaviour of Metal-Framed Walls. Metals, volume 5, issue 3 (2015) pp. 1414-1431.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/met5031414

A. Arjunan, CJ. Wang, K. Yahiaoui, DJ. Mynors, T. Morgan, VB. Nguyen and M. English. Development of a 3D finite element acoustic model to predict the sound reduction index of stud based double-leaf walls. Journal of Sound and Vibration, volume 333, issue 23 (2014) pp. 6140-6155.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2014.06.032

A. Arjunan, CJ. Wang, K. Yahiaoui, DJ. Mynors, T. Morgan and M. English. Finite element acoustic analysis of a steel stud based double-leaf wall. Building and Environment, volume 67 (2013) pp. 202-210.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2013.05.021

Conference Publications

A. Arjunan, A. Baroutaji, AS. Praveen, CJ. Wang, K. Manmi and AG. Olabi (2019). Acoustic Performance of Additively Manufactured Titanium Perforated Panels. Proceedings of the 2019 (6th) International Conference on Materials Science & Smart Materials (MSSM2019). July 24-26, 2019 Aston University, Birmingham, UK.

A. Baroutaji, A. Arjunan, M. Stanford, A. Alaswad, H. Achour, M. Ghaleeh and AG. Olabi (2019). Crashworthiness design of functionally graded thickness thin-walled tubes under lateral loading. Proceedings of the 2019 (6th) International Conference on Materials Science & Smart Materials (MSSM2019). July 24-26, 2019 Aston University, Birmingham, UK.

A. Arjunan (2017). Noise emission levels associated with the 2016 UWR Formula 3 Car and the influence of an aftermarket silencer end cap. Proceedings of the INTER-NOISE 2017, 46th International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering, August 27 - 30, 2017, Hong Kong, pp. 2537-2545.

A. Arjunan and A. Foteinou (2017). A comparative study on the acoustic behaviour of free-standing curved and flat single panel screens in an open-plan enclosed environment. Proceedings of the INTER-NOISE 2017, 46th International Congress and Exposition on Noise Control Engineering, August 27 - 30, 2017, Hong Kong, pp. 1293-1303.

M. Springthorpe, S. Hasan and A. Arjunan (2017). The Role of Coatings on Corrosion Resistance of Aerospace Aluminium Alloys. International Conference on Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies (AMPT2017). 11th to 14th December 2017, VIT Chennai, Chennai, India.

A. Arjunan (2017). Numerical Simulation on the Acoustic Insulation of a Cold Formed Steel Stud Drywall Partition. International Conference on Advances in Materials and Processing Technologies (AMPT2017). 11th to 14th December 2017, VIT Chennai, Chennai, India.

A. Arjunan, M. Stanford and J. Rackley (2016). Experimental Investigation on the Sound Reduction Performance of Frequency Controlled Acoustic Interference Cavities. Inter-noise 2016, August 21-24 Hamburg, Germany. Conference Organised by the German Acoustical Society. ISSN 0105-175x, ISBN 978-3-939296-11-9.

A. Arjunan (2016). Sound Transmission Loss of Light-Weight Slotted Steel Studs in a Gypsum Plasterboard Partition Wall. Inter-noise 2016, August 21-24 Hamburg, Germany. ISSN 0105-175x, ISBN 978-3-939296-11-9.

A. Arjunan, CJ. Wang, K. Yahiaoui and M. English (2015) Finite Element Vibro-acoustic Simulation of Roll-formed Steel Studs in Partition Walls. NAFEMS (National Agency for Finite Element Methods and Standards) World Congress 2015. San Diego, California, USA. Published by NAFEMS Ltd, ISBN 978-1-910643-24-2.

A. Arjunan, CJ. Wang, K. Hazlehurst, J. Rackley and P. Lister (2015) Finite Element Acoustic Simulation to Analyse the Airborne Sound Pressure Level in a Manufacturing Environment. Flexible Automation and Intelligent Manufacturing, FAIM2015, Wolverhampton, UK. Published by The Choir Press, Volume 2, ISBN 978-1-910864-01-2.

A. Arjunan, CJ. Wang, K. Yahiaoui, DJ. Mynors, T. Morgan, VB. Nguyen and M. English (2014) Sound frequency dependent mesh modelling to simulate the acoustic insulation of stud based double-leaf walls. Proceedings of the 2014 Leuven Conference on Noise and Vibration Engineering (ISMA2014). Leuven, Belgium. D/2014/5769/1, ISBN 9789073802919.

A. Arjunan, CJ. Wang, K. Yahiaoui, DJ. Mynors, T. Morgan and M. English (2013) Thermal efficiency analysis of slotted steel studs in double-leaf partition walls using FEM and experimental tests. Proceedings of the 2013 NAFEMS (National Agency for Finite Element Methods and Standards) World Congress. Salzburg, Austria. ISBN-13:978-1874376910.