Innovative Propeller Research Earns National Recognition for USU Student

Samiul Alam, a graduate student in mechanical engineering at Utah State University, earned second place in the master’s category at the 2025 Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering University Research Symposium, a national competition from Sept. 6-11 at The Composite and Advanced Materials Expo in Orlando, Florida.

“I am honored to have been recognized at the University Research Symposium 2025,” Alam said. “Presenting my research to leaders in materials and manufacturing engineering was an inspiring experience, and this recognition motivates me to further advance my work in additive manufacturing while reinforcing the importance of innovation in solving real-world engineering challenges.”

Alam’s research, Analysis of Thrust Performance and Noise Generation of UAM Composite Propellers Fabricated Using Composite-Based Additive Manufacturing, introduces a novel approach to designing next-generation propellers for urban air mobility — an emerging mode of transportation that envisions lightweight, efficient aircraft transporting passengers, goods and other critical payloads.

A key challenge in this field is producing propellers that are simultaneously strong, lightweight, durable and cost-effective. Traditional composite manufacturing methods often fall short, as they are time-consuming, difficult to scale and expensive. Alam’s study leverages composite-based additive manufacturing to address these limitations, offering scalable and labor-efficient fabrication methods that improve thrust performance while reducing noise. His work contributes to the development of safer, quieter and more sustainable transportation technologies of the future.

Looking ahead, Alam hopes to continue contributing to the aviation and advanced manufacturing sectors through innovative materials research. He credits the guidance of his advisor, Juhyeong Lee, and the support of Utah State University as instrumental in moving his research forward.

The Society for the Advancement Material and Process Engineering is a global professional society dedicated to advancing materials and processing technologies through conferences, exhibitions, technical forums and publications. The University Research Symposium is a competitive program that sponsors selected student members to present their technical findings, with the top papers in each category earning cash awards.