Event
MSE Seminar: Dr. Sal Nimer, JHU APL
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
3:30 p.m.
Room 2110 Chemical and Nuclear Engineering Building
Sherri Tatum
301-405-5240
statum12@umd.edu
"Inventing the Future of Materials Science at APL: Research with Mission Intent"
Abstract: The Science of Extreme and Multifunctional Materials (SEMM) portfolio at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) focuses on creating new materials and capabilities in extreme environments. SEMM efforts span a range of materials classes, length scales, and operating conditions, with an emphasis on understanding and controlling the coupled effects of processing, structure, properties, and performance under demanding conditions. In this talk, I will provide an overview of the SEMM program and highlight several ongoing efforts that illustrate different domains and approaches to accelerating materials development. One such area of focus is the use of high-throughput and autonomous experimentation, which offers transformative potential to shorten the timelines associated with discovering and deploying new structural materials. A key challenge in this pursuit lies in navigating the vast design space created by the interplay of chemical composition, processing route, and post-processing treatments. As a result, we have developed AI approaches for generating candidate structures, machine learning for performance predictions, accelerated synthesis and processing, and robotic/high-throughput testing. Together, these approaches enable the possibility of closed-loop material discovery at unprecedented rates compared to conventional methods, thereby accelerating the development of both legacy and next-generation structural materials critical for national security applications.
Bio: Dr. Sal Nimer is an assistant program manager for the Science of Extreme and Multifunctional Materials in APL’s Research and Exploratory Development Mission Area. He received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland Baltimore County with a focus on solid mechanics and materials. His current research focuses on advanced manufacturing, autonomous experimentation, and materials discovery. Dr. Nimer’s work centers on developing and validating approaches to accelerate alloy and process development cycles, as well as understanding process–structure–property relationships in advanced manufacturing methods such as additive manufacturing, castings, forgings, and welding.
