Expectations of Additive Manufacturing and its Role in the Future Economy
Distinguished Research Seminar Series
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Date
20 Jan 2026
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Organiser
Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, PolyU
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Time
10:00 - 11:30
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Venue
CD301
Speaker
Prof. Chee Kai Chua
Remarks
If you have enquiries regarding E-certificate after the seminar, please contact david.kuo@polyu.edu.hk.
Summary
Additive Manufacturing (AM), widely known as 3D printing, is transforming how we design, produce, and deliver physical products. This presentation by Prof Chua offers an in-depth look at the evolution of AM technologies, their classifications, and the unique advantages they bring over traditional manufacturing methods. Through the “5Cs” framework—Concrete, Copper, Circuits, Chocolate, and Cells—the talk illustrates the diverse applications of AM across fields such as construction, electronics, biomedical engineering, and food technology. Emerging trends like bioprinting, AI-assisted generative design, and Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) are also explored, along with the push toward standardization, quality certification, and scalability for mass production. With rapid advancements in materials, processes, and digital integration, AM is positioned not just as a tool for innovation, but as a key enabler of next-generation manufacturing ecosystems—more efficient, personalized, and sustainable.
Keynote Speaker
Prof. Chee Kai Chua
Professor
School of Mechanical Engineering, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, China
Professor Chua Chee Kai is Distinguished Professor at Wuhan University of Science and Technology. He is a Fellow of the Singapore Academy of Engineering. Previously, he was the Associate Provost for Research and Cheng Tsang Man Chair Professor at the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). Prof Chua’s research area is in 3D Printing or Additive Manufacturing. He is the foremost expert in Singapore in this area and was awarded the prestigious International Freeform and Additive Manufacturing Excellence (FAME) Award in 2018. Prof Chua is also the most published and most cited scientist in “Rapid Prototyping / Additive Manufacturing” (3D Printing) according to the Web of Science. He has published in more than 500 international journals, conference papers, books, book chapters and patents. Prof Chua has also obtained more than S$60 M grants, including as PI, S$42 M for the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing, S$9.9 M for the Nanyang Additive Manufacturing Centre and S$5.5 M for the Institute for Sports Research. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of Virtual & Physical Prototyping, Materials Science in Additive Manufacturing as well as Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Bioprinting. Before SUTD, he was at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) where he was a Full Professor and previous Chair of the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He was also the Executive Director of the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing from 2014 to 2019. He joined SUTD as Head of Pillar for Engineering Product Development (EPD) from 2019 – 2022 and Associate Provost for Research from 2022 - 2025.
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