Wenchao Zhou, Ph.D.

Associate Professor (2020 – present)
Assistant Professor (2014 – 2020)
21st Century Professorship (2015-2018)
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Address: 863 W Dickson St., Fayetteville, AR 72701
Office: MEEG 102B
Phone: (479) 575-7250
Email: zhouw@uark.edu

Ph.D. Georgia Institute of Technology
M.S. Xi’an Jiaotong University
B.S. Huazhong University of Science and Technology

Research: Advanced Manufacturing, Modeling and Materials

Swaleh Owais

Senior Research Scientist
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

Address: 700 W Research Center Blvd, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Office: ENRC 4263
Phone: (479) 396-9659
Email: sowais@uark.edu

Research: Swarm Robotics, Swarm Manufacturing, Open-Source / Low Cost Manufacturing Hardware, Soft Robotics

Rencheng Wu

Education:
– Ph.D. Student, Mechanical Engineering, University of Arkansas, 2021-Present
– B.Eng., Agricultural Engineering, Shandong University of Technology, 2021

Bio: Rencheng is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arkansas, where he serves as a Graduate Research Assistant in the AM3 Lab. During his undergraduate studies, he actively contributed to projects such as VR simulation modeling for gearboxes, the development of biomass charcoal recycling devices, and an award-winning automatic navigation wall-climbing robot. He also led the design and programming of a robot for computer vision based fruit picking, which featured a unique mechanical structure for efficient operations, and participated in creating a 3D precision seeding printer inspired by additive manufacturing principles, which aimed to enhance agricultural productivity. His current research focuses on swarm manufacturing and additive manufacturing processes.
 
Research: Swarm Manufacturing, Cooperative 3D Printing, Additive Manufacturing, Hybrid Manufacturing

Charith Nanayakkara Ratnayake

Education:
– Ph.D. Student, Mechanical Engineering, University of Arkansas, 2022-Present
– B.S., Mechatronics Engineering, General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University, 2020

Bio: Charith is a Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arkansas, where he serves as a Graduate Research Assistant in the AM3 Lab. Before pursuing his doctoral studies, Charith gained valuable industry experience as an Industrial Engineering Executive at MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., one of Sri Lanka’s leading manufacturers, where he honed his skills in process optimization and innovation. During his undergraduate studies in Sri Lanka, Charith actively contributed for projects such as an auto-balancing ambulance bed, a smart security safety deposit box, and several other robotic systems. His current research focuses on toolpath generation for 3D printing, automated 3D printer calibration, and innovations in Swarm Manufacturing.

Research: Swarm Manufacturing, Toolpath Generation for Novel Materials and Hybrid Manufacturing Applications, Autonomous Toolhead Calibration

Salman Mahmud Prottoy

Education:
– Ph.D. Student, Mechanical Engineering, University of Arkansas, 2024-Present
– B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, 2021

Bio: Salman is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arkansas. Prior to joining the AM3 Lab as a Research Assistant, Salman had professional experience in the power-generation industry, working as an Engineer with industrial gas engines at BanglaCAT, the authorized dealer of Caterpillar, Inc. in Bangladesh. During his time at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, he researched automobile parallel parking solutions. His current interest is focused on understanding how cooperative 3D printing and other robots can be integrated into swarm manufacturing.
 
Research: Additive Manufacturing, Swarm Manufacturing

Methsiri Henegedara

Education:
– B.S. Student, Software Engineering, University of Arkansas, 2024-Present

Bio: Methsiri is an Undergraduate student in Computer Science at the University of Arkansas, where he serves as an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the AM3 Lab. Methsiri was a Senior Software Engineer at Sysco Labs Pvt Ltd, one of Sri Lanka’s leading software development companies, where he developed solutions for Sysco USA. He also served as a Software Engineer at Codegen International Pvt Ltd, another prominent software development firm in Sri Lanka, known for its product TravelBox, a leading booking engine that has supported companies like Virgin Holidays, Disney USA, and Flydubai. His current research focuses on toolpath generation for 3D printing and innovations in swarm manufacturing.
 
Research: Swarm Manufacturing, Toolpath Generation for Novel Materials and Hybrid Manufacturing Applications