Tanner Kirk

Materials Design Engineer

Education

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 2020

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Summa Cum Laude, Texas A&M University, 2016

Current Role at QuesTek

Tanner Kirk joined QuesTek’s Modeling and Software Development team in July of 2021. His responsibilities include the development of materials modeling and design tools as well as the application of thermodynamic modeling, machine learning, and optimization to materials design problems.

Background and Specialization

Before joining QuesTek, Tanner worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Texas A&M University where he applied machine learning and CALPHAD modeling to alloy design problems. His areas of interest include additive manufacturing, functionally graded materials, and high entropy alloys. Additionally, Tanner is interested in engineering design and the abilities of machine learning and optimization to aid in the design process. His Ph.D. dissertation was titled “Computational Design of Compositionally Graded Alloys” and involved the use of path planning algorithms and CALPHAD modeling to design functionally graded alloys.

Publications and Presentations

• Kirk, T., Malak, R., & Arroyave, R. “Computational Design of Compositionally Graded Alloys for Property Monotonicity.” ASME. Journal of Mechanical Design, 143(3). (2020).
• Eliseeva, O., Kirk, T., Samimi, P., Malak, R., Arroyave, R., Elwany, A., & Karaman, I. “Functionally Graded Materials through robotics-inspired path planning.” Materials and Design, 182, 107975. (2019).
• Kirk, T., Galvan, E., Malak, R., & Arroyave, R. “Computational Design of Gradient Paths in Additively Manufactured Functionally Graded Materials.” ASME. Journal of Mechanical Design, 140(11). (2018).
• Iliopoulos, A. P., Steuben, J. C., Kirk, T., Baxevanis, T., Michopoulos, J. G., & Lagoudas, D. C. “Thermomechanical failure response of notched NiTi coupons.” International Journal of Solids and Structures, 125, 265-275. (2017).