Professor Moataz Attallah

BSc, MSc, PhD, AFHEA

  • Dean of the School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical, and Materials Engineering
  • Professor of Advanced Materials Processing (Metallic Materials)
Publications
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Moataz Attallah

Background:

Moataz received his BSc (highest honours) and MSc in mechanical and materials/manufacturing engineering, 2001 and 2003 respectively, from the American University in Cairo, Egypt. He went on to study for a PhD in Metallurgy and Materials Science from the University of Birmingham between 2003 and 2007. He then worked as a research fellow between January 2007 and June 2010 at the, University of Manchester’s School of Materials with Prof. Michael Preuss. He was a member of the Stress & Damage Characterisation Unit (led by Professor Phil Withers), which was the largest research group in Europe with a research portfolio focused on neutron and synchrotron x-ray diffraction. During that period, Moataz had a brief spell at Osaka University in Japan. From June 2010, he returned to the University of Birmingham as a lecturer in advanced materials processing. He was appointed to a chair in advanced materials processing in August 2014. In 2023, he was appointed as the director of research and knowledge transfer.

On September 1st 2025, Moataz was appointed as the Dean of School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical, and Materials Engineering at Loughborough University. He leads the Advanced Materials and Processing Lab (AMPLab). The group has raised over £15M of research funding since 2010.

Moataz has given several TV interviews and delivered lectures (in English an Arabic) on additive manufacturing and career development in different charities across the world (found here, external link). He has given talks on his research and held honorary visiting positions in multiple universities in the USA, Canada, Brazil, Italy, China, and Egypt (link here).

Research:

My research focuses on developing a metallurgical understanding for the phase transformations (solid-liquid, solid-solid), microstructure-property correlations, and residual stress development associated with advanced metals processing techniques, including additive manufacturing (AM), powder hot isostatic processing (HIPping), welding, and metal forming of advanced metallic materials and ceramics. The scientific emphasis is on the process-material interaction, which is studied using electron microscopy, synchrotron X-rays, and neutron diffraction, micro-tomography, and process monitoring techniques (e.g., high speed imaging), combined with a strong emphasis on computational modelling (multi-physics or AI-based). A key focus is how to get these techniques to work ‘first-time right’, without undermining the structural integrity and performance of the components. The breadth of the work can be classified as follows:

  1. Experimental techniques: through working with my collaborators, we used several techniques, including micro-CT, synchrotron, and neutron diffraction for strain measurement, electron-backscattered diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, calorimetry/dilatometry, image processing, magnetic properties characterisation, high speed imaging, confocal microscopy, biocompatibility, and mechanical testing.
  2. Modelling techniques: we applied several modelling techniques to understand material response during processing, including finite element modelling, computational fluid dynamics, statistical modelling, neural networks, and reinforcement learning.
  3. Materials: Al-alloys, Ti-alloys, Ni-superalloys, steels, ceramics, refractory metals, and functional materials (shape memory metals, magnetic materials, and superconductors).
  4. Sectors: in addition to UKRI or EU-funded programmes, projects have been funded by companies in the aerospace, space, defence, nuclear fusion, energy, heavy industries, motor racing, and biomedical sectors, including: Rolls-Royce plc (nuclear, aerospace, and data systems), BAE Systems, Safran Group Meggitt, UKAEA, Johnson-Matthey, GKN Aerospace, Caterpillar, MBDA, TWI Ltd, IHI Corporation (Japan), Sulzer, Honda R&D, the MTC, and the European Space Agency (ESA).
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Teaching responsibilities:

  • Moataz teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules on advanced manufacturing and aerospace materials.

 Current administrative responsibilities:

  • Dean of the School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical, and Materials Engineering at Loughborough University.

Recent Publications:

  1. P Ibrahim, P Jameekornkul, A Panesar, MM Attallah*: The utility of additively manufactured β-Ti latticed hip implants in reducing femoral stress shielding: A finite element study. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials106999, 2025.
  2. F Careri, R H U Khan, T Alshammari, MM Attallah*: Development of a Novel Heat Treatment in L-PBF fabricated High Strength A205 Al Alloy: Impact on Microstructure-Mechanical Properties. Materials Science and Engineering: A148278, 2025.
  3. S Aberkane, B Mehdi, R Badji, MM Attallah*, N Fenineche, B Alili: Effect of Reduction in Heat Input on the Behavior of 316LSi Thin Wall Fabricated by Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing. Journal of Materials Engineering and PerformanceJan-14, 2025.
  4. F Careri, L Stella, R H U Khan, MM Attallah*: Application of machine learning in additive manufacturing of a novel Al alloy heat exchanger. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 137 (9), 4557–4572, 2025.
  5. T T Ersoz, A E A Mohamed, MM Attallah*: Additive Manufacturing of Superconductors: Opportunities and Challenges. Materials Research Bulletin 113448, 2025.
  6. A Mostaani, Y Wang, L Qian, A A Mohamed, MM Attallah*: Synthesis, Design, and Fabrication of Filters with Dual/Multiple Dangling Nodes. IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, 2025.
  7. K Sun, Y Zhang, S Li, Z Gao, X Cao, Z Peng, P Huang, AEA Mohamed, Z Zheng, M Jeong, MM Attallah*: Laser powder bed fusion processed LaCe (Fe, Mn, Si)₁₃ lattices for magnetic refrigeration: Process optimization, microstructure, and magnetocaloric performance. Journal of Materials Research and Technology 34, 297–310, 2025.
  8. S Li, Y Mao, Z Chen, K Sun, J Wang, C Guo, Z Huang, D Wang, MM Attallah*, C Wang: Investigation of the segregation mechanism and mechanical properties of laser powder bed fusioned CM247LC Ni-superalloy. Scripta Materialia 257, 116482, 2025.
  9. A M F Mohamed, F Careri, R H U Khan, MM Attallah*, L Stella: A novel porosity prediction framework based on reinforcement learning for process parameter optimization in additive manufacturing. Scripta Materialia 255, 116377, 2025.

External roles and appointments:

  • Associate Peer Review College, Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), 2016-present.
  • Reviewer, Panel Member, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Academy of Finland, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2024.
  • Reviewer, Panel Member, Norway Research Council, 2022.
  • Reviewer, Panel Member, Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI), 2017.
  • External Examiner, Engineering Management BEng, Trinity College Dublin, 2016-2018.
  • External examiner for PhD and MSc/MRes students at the Universities of Manchester, Nottingham, Nottingham Trent, Aberdeen, Imperial College, Cambridge, Warwick, Sheffield, Université de Technologie Belfort-Montbéliard, Swansea, University College Dublin, Ecole des Mines ParisTech, Stockholm, University West, Nanyang University of Technology, Cranfield, Monash.
  • Promotion applications reviewer at Oxford University, Imperial College, Cranfield University, Case Western Reserve University, Open University, and the University of Malta.