Brian K. Post

Dr. Brian K. Post is a senior research staff member and group leader at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he heads the Manufacturing Systems Design Group. He received his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University, with a focus on surgical robotics, and his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from Georgia Tech in the design and control of long-reach flexible robotic manipulators. Brian started as an intern at ORNL in 2006 and 2007 before joining ORNL full-time in 2013 as a Postdoctoral fellow in the Manufacturing Systems Research Group.

Dr. Post has made significant contributions to the field of additive manufacturing with his innovative research at the Department of Energy’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility. His pioneering work includes the development of large-scale additive manufacturing processes spanning composites, metals, and concrete that can produce parts as large as 8’ x 20’ x 6’ at rates that are 1000+ times faster than most commercially available systems.

As a technical and programmatic lead, Dr. Post has been a key figure in the development of all of ORNL’s large-scale additive manufacturing technologies, including the Big Area Additive Manufacturing System (BAAM). BAAM has been commercialized and has been utilized to create several remarkable achievements, including printing the world’s first 3D printed car, the Strati, and the ORNL 3D Printed Shelby Cobra. BAAM has also been instrumental in creating submarines, wind turbine blade molds, a full-scale home, and production tooling for precast concrete installations (including a 42-story mixed use tower in Brooklyn, NY). Dr. Post’s team has also developed a novel cable-driven 3D printer for printing concrete objects at construction scale with limited site preparation called SkyBAAM. This printer has been used to 3D print smart wall structures and resulted in the commercialization of the world’s first pre-packaged mortar for concrete additive manufacturing with partner Quikrete Inc.

Dr. Post’s work has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Gilbreth Lectureship by the National Academy of Engineers, an Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers, six R&D 100 awards, three Federal Laboratory Consortium Awards, and a FEMP Director’s Award. He has served the additive manufacturing industry as a community advisor to the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and an Energy and Aerospace Advisor to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Currently, Dr. Post is leading ORNL’s portfolio of hybrid manufacturing systems research, developing technologies and materials that can be utilized to repair and replace conventional castings and forgings for use in clean energy and defense manufacturing. Dr. Post’s enthusiasm and technical expertise have positioned him as a leading figure in the field of additive manufacturing, and his work has the potential to revolutionize the manufacturing industry.