Ahmed Arabi Hassen, leader of the Composites Innovation Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), has been honored as a Fellow of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), a prestigious recognition for his groundbreaking advances in nondestructive evaluation (NDE) within composite manufacturing. This accolade highlights Hassen’s critical role in transforming how advanced materials are qualified and integrated into high-stakes applications.
Nondestructive testing, traditionally used to detect imperfections, is evolving into an intelligent, embedded component of the manufacturing process, and Hassen’s expertise has been central to this shift. His work enables industry to rapidly develop and certify new composite materials and processes, accelerating their adoption while ensuring rigorous safety and reliability standards.
Under Hassen’s guidance, ORNL has pushed the boundaries of composite manufacturing by developing high-rate production techniques and smart manufacturing strategies. These innovations help manufacturers produce complex composite structures more efficiently, fostering broader industrial use and enhanced performance in sectors from aerospace to energy.
One of Hassen’s notable achievements is leading a team awarded the 2026 SME Aubin Additive Manufacturing Case Study Award for novel utilization of large-format additive manufacturing to fabricate highly precise composite molds for advanced nuclear reactors. This breakthrough reduces construction cost and schedule while meeting exceptional quality requirements, marking a significant advancement in nuclear energy technology.
In 2025, Hassen and his collaborators earned recognition from CAMX for pioneering modular additive manufacturing methods paired with large-scale dissolvable tooling in the production of composite rocket nozzles. This innovation significantly lowers production complexity and expense, opening new possibilities for aerospace applications demanding exceptional performance.
Hassen emphasizes that NDE’s role now extends beyond detection to becoming a foundation for innovation, enabling the integration of automation, artificial intelligence, and additive manufacturing into a cohesive, adaptive workflow. This evolution supports certification processes and promotes public confidence in emergent technologies.
Beyond his technical contributions, Hassen has played vital leadership roles within ASNT, shaping research priorities and championing the adoption of advanced NDE technologies. His efforts bridge academia, industry, and government, fostering collaborations that invigorate the profession and mentor the next generation of nondestructive testing experts.
With over 150 peer-reviewed publications and 24 U.S. patents, Hassen’s impact is both deep and broad. His accolades include multiple R&D 100 Awards and industry honors that affirm his status as a visionary leader advancing manufacturing science at the intersection of composites and nondestructive evaluation.
Subject of Research: Composite manufacturing and nondestructive evaluation techniques
Article Title: Oak Ridge Leader Advances Smart Nondestructive Testing for Next-Gen Composites
News Publication Date: Not specified
Web References: https://www.ornl.gov/organization-news/nuclear-construction-breakthrough-ornl-earns-2026-sme-award, https://www.ornl.gov/organization-news/ornl-composites-research-wins-top-camx-awards
Image Credits: Jason Richards/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy
Keywords: Composites, Nondestructive Evaluation, Additive Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace, Nuclear Energy, Artificial Intelligence, Manufacturing Innovation
