Event
MSE Seminar: Dr. Lionel Vargas-Gonzalez, U.S. Army DEVCOM
Wednesday, November 4, 2026
3:30 p.m.
Room 2108 Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building
Sherri Tatum
301-405-5240
statum12@umd.edu
Low-Cost Processing and Densification of Near-Net Shape Ultra High Temperature Ceramics
Abstract: The global research community is highly engaged in the exploration and development of Ultra-high temperature ceramics (UHTCs), including high melting point transition metal carbides, borides, nitrides and oxides, which are favorable for applications requiring material survivability in extreme conditions and environments due to their superior thermal properties, oxidation resistance, and mechanical strength. However, the issues of formability, cost of manufacturing, and manufacturing throughput for UHTC materials are not being widely addressed by the research community. DEVCOM ARL is pursuing research toward enabling low-cost, industrially friendly methods for processing and densification of near-net shape UHTC materials. Our research team focused on three ceramic processing methods, 1) polymeric mold-assisted cold isostatic pressing, 2) plaster mold slip casting, and 3) binder jet additive manufacturing to explore near-net shape molding of UHTCs and eliminate the need for expensive post-machining. We explored pressure-less sintering methods, and infiltration/pyrolysis methods for AM parts, to eliminate the need for complex tooling for pressure-assisted densification methods of net-shape ceramic green bodies and to improve the feasibility of industrial processing at scale. This presentation will discuss the results of ARL’s research into low-cost processing and densification methods.
Bio: Dr. Lionel Vargas-Gonzalez is a Supervisory Materials Engineer for the U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL). As of 2021, he serves the laboratory as the Chief for the Ceramics and Transparent Materials Branch (CTMB), within the Biology, Materials and Manufacturing Sciences Division (BMMSD). His previous roles at DEVCOM ARL include Post-Doctoral Fellow under the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Engineering (ORISE) program (2009-2011), Materials Engineer for the Agile Manufacturing Team (2011-2015), Team Leader for the Ceramics Synthesis and Processing Team (2015-2019), and Deputy Program Manager for the Physics of Soldier Protection to Defeat Evolving Threats Essential Research Program (PSPDET ERP, 2019-2021).
He is a subject matter expert for materials and manufacturing sciences for Soldier Protection. Research efforts have included synthesis and processing of lightweight materials (ceramics, polymer matrix composites), surface science and adhesion, and manufacturing science enablers for improving ballistic mass efficiency and mitigation of physiological trauma effects in head and torso protection technologies. For his impacts in development of materials and manufacturing sciences towards a 10% lighter body armor system, he was a co-recipient of the 2013 Department of Defense (DoD) ManTech Defense Manufacturing Achievement Award. His work in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) architectural tailoring led to the discovery of ARL X-Hybrid, an indexing scheme which reduces the transmission of ballistic-induced blunt impact stress by 84%; for this achievement he was awarded the 2015 DEVCOM ARL Honorary Award for Engineering. ARL X-Hybrid and permutations of it have been employed in a variety of fielded Soldier protection systems across the globe.
He is a co-recipient of the 2017 DEVCOM ARL Weapons and Materials Research Directorate Award for Partnering, a co-recipient of the 2023 DEVCOM ARL Honorary Award for Brad Forch Mentoring, and a co-recipient the 2026 Materials and Manufacturing Processes Community of Interest (M&MP COI) Love Collaboration Award.
He is an author on over 60 publications, a presenter on over 40 invited presentations and holds one U.S. Patent on processing of silicon carbide armor ceramics.
He received a B.S. in Ceramic and Materials Engineering in 2004 from Clemson University, a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering in 2009 from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and two Post-Baccalaureate Certificates in Professional Studies in Innovation and in Leadership in 2025 from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). He is a graduate of the DECVOM ARL/UMBC Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (ELP) Cohort 1 (2019), the Aberdeen Proving Ground Senior Leadership Cohort 14 (2023), and the DEVCOM Distinguished Leader Program (DLP) Cohort 3 (2024).
Off the clock, Dr. Vargas-Gonzalez is generally found tinkering with his headphones and audio gear, wrenching on something broken in his home or on one of his cars, and building LEGO with his son. His passion is enabling the way for the next generation of Hispanic/Latino STEM rockstars.
