Laszlo J. Kecskes
Prof. Kecskes joined the research faculty of the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute (HEMI) in 2019. Currently, he holds secondary appointments in the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering. Previously, Dr. Kecskes spent over 30 years at the US Army Research Laboratory. After his retirement, Dr. Kecskes also worked at Matsys, Inc., on the upscaled powder metallurgy production of bulk reactive materials for impact applications. He is most well-known for his seminal work in the dynamic compaction of combustion synthesized titanium carbides, diborides and their cermets; synthesis, processing, and dynamic deformation behavior of tungsten-based heavy alloys; and fabrication of refractory bulk metallic glasses and their composite derivatives. Additionally, Dr. Kecskes has made significant contributions to the synthesis, fabrication, processing, and property characterization of thermally stable nanostructured alloys.
Research Professor
Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute
Johns Hopkins University
3400 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
Prof. Laszlo Kecskes is recognized for his contributions to the processing and characterization of materials for extreme applications.
Prof. Kecskes joined the research faculty of the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute (HEMI) in 2019. Currently, he holds secondary appointments in the Departments of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering. Previously, Dr. Kecskes spent over 30 years at the US Army Research Laboratory. After his retirement, Dr. Kecskes also worked at Matsys, Inc., on the upscaled powder metallurgy production of bulk reactive materials for impact applications. He is most well-known for his seminal work in the dynamic compaction of combustion synthesized titanium carbides, diborides and their cermets; synthesis, processing, and dynamic deformation behavior of tungsten-based heavy alloys; and fabrication of refractory bulk metallic glasses and their composite derivatives. Additionally, Dr. Kecskes has made significant contributions to the synthesis, fabrication, processing, and property characterization of thermally stable nanostructured alloys.
Currently, Prof. Kecskes continues to be engaged in the study of novel materials under extreme conditions. These studies entail developing the relationships and correlations between processing, structure, properties, and performance using materials science and engineering as well as mechanical engineering principles. Starting from the design phase, synthesis, and fabrication of materials with unique characteristics, Dr. Kecskes’s research relies on advanced materials processing methods and characterization techniques to identify and describe key features of the resultant materials and their multiscale structural evolution during processing. The typical microstructural and mechanical property evaluation process combines a range of unique experimental diagnostic approaches and material specific measurements that include the determination of mechanical properties both at quasi-static and dynamic conditions.
Prof. Kecskes holds 13 patents related to processing methods that encompass the creation of materials with unique properties and structures as well as for techniques to control the formation and capture metastable materials. While still at the US Army Research Laboratory, Dr. Kecskes, was the recipient of the 2004 Paul A. Siple Award which is given to the highest quality research at the Army.
| Ph.D, Materials Science and Engineering | University of Delaware, 1996 |
| M.S., Physics | University of Minnesota, 1985 |
| B.S., Physics | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1981 |
- 2021 – Present: Secondary Appointments at DME and DMSE
- 2019 – Present: Research Professor, HEMI
- 2017 – 2019: Senior Research Scientist, MATSYS, Inc., Sterling, VA
- 1992 – 2017: Research Physical Scientist, US Army Research Laboratory, APG, MD
- 1985 – 1992: Research Physical Scientist, US Army Ballistics Research Laboratory, APG, MD
| YEAR | POSITION | INSTITUTE |
| July 2019 | Research Professor | Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD |
| March 2019 | Chief Science Officer | Tailored Alloys, LLC, Horizon City, TX |
| February 2018 – June 2019 | Adjunct Associate Research Scholar | Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD |
| November 2017 – July 2019 | Senior Scientist | Matsys, Inc., Sterling, VA |
| October 1992 – September 2017 | Research Physical Scientist | U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Terminal Effects DivisionWeapons and Materials Research Directorate |
| February 1985 – September 1992 | Research Physical Scientist | U.S. Army Ballistics Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD Terminal Effects Division |
Research Professor July 2019 –
Fundamental research and development of materials under extreme dynamic conditions such as high pressures and high temperatures. Use of advanced processing and fabrication techniques (e.g., severe plastic deformation, combustion synthesis) to create and alter materials with unique to metastable substructures and investigate their behavior and the underlying relationships between processing, structure, properties, and performance
Provide mentoring to students at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral levels
Chief Science Officer March 2019 –
Provide dual-use high-technology materials solutions for the manufacturing, commerce, electronics, defense, and aerospace sectors of the economy. Execute applied research and development to support greater company goals. Rely on emerging and scalable processing and fabrication methods to generate multifunctional advanced materials and study the underlying relationships between processing, structure, properties, and performance
Adjunct Associate Research Scholar February 2018 – July 2019
Use advanced processing and fabrication techniques (e.g., severe plastic deformation, combustion synthesis) to create materials with unique substructures and investigate their behavior and the underlying relationships between processing, structure, properties, and performance
Provide mentoring to students at the undergraduate and graduate levels
Senior Scientist November 2017 – July 2019
Conduct applied materials science and engineering research with potential for technology transition with multipurpose benefits in a variety of applications
Seek out relevant technology opportunities from proof-of-concept to pre-manufacturing levels
Principal Research Investigator October 2010 – September 2017
Propose, obtain funding, and execute novel research programs (individual or collaborative) spanning topic areas relevant the needs of the U.S. Army
Serve as the contracting officer’s technical representative, point of contact, or liaison for SBIR and STTR Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III programs, CRADAs, cooperative agreements, congressional ads, FTAS and FCT programs, and Coalition Warfare programs
Identify and seek out scientifically ground-breaking and innovative ideas across the domestic and international research spectrum with potential engineering relevance to the mission goals of the U.S. Army; and, more specifically, to those of the Materials and Manufacturing Science Division, within the U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Lead, Design and Synthesis Team October 2010 – April 2016
Discover, innovate, and incubate novel concepts into practice
Transition relevant technologies from proof-of-concept to pre-manufacturing with benefits in both military and commercial applications
Build and develop, using sound scientific principles and engineering practices, novel concepts into major laboratory programs, with strong potential for success
Guide, advise, mentor, and support professional scientists and engineers along their career trajectories
- Paul A. Siple Silver Medallion Award – best paper 24th Army Research Conference, 2004
- Best paper within a technical session, 24th Army Science Conference, 2004
- Bronze Medallion Award – 20th Army Science Conference, 1996
- Best paper within a technical session, 20th Army Science Conference, 1996
- Sigma Pi Sigma – elected 1979
Current:
- None
Pending:
- Morphological and Topological Tailoring of Reactive Materials; Air Force Research Laboratory, June 2024 – May 2025. Total Award Amount: 110,000.