Douglas Hofmann

About Douglas Hofmann

I am a materials scientist specializing in government aerospace, an industry consultant, and a tech founder passionate about advancing technologies in metals and manufacturing. A former collegiate tennis player at U.C. San Diego and a proud father of four, I balance my career with a commitment to my children and those I mentor. I co-founded Metallic Glass Consulting, LLC a manufacturing industry consulting firm where, for over ten years, I help commercial companies adopt advanced materials and innovate in manufacturing processes. Feel free to reach us at m••••••••@gmail.com. After my Ph.D. from Caltech, I founded the Metallurgy Facility, co-founded the Materials Development and Manufacturing Technology Group and co-founded the Additive Manufacturing Center at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Currently, I serve as a Senior Research Scientist and Principal at NASA JPL, collaborating with world-class materials scientists to develop technologies that enable spacecraft and rovers to endure the extreme environments of space. My work includes leading research projects and flight experiments, such as being Principal Investigator (PI) of the NASA flight experiment FAMIS and contributing to the development of lightweight rover wheels for the moon. As a tech entrepreneur, I founded the Caltech spinoff company Amorphology in 2014 to commercialize bulk metallic glass gears and strain wave gears developed at NASA. In 2018, I founded the startup company BMG Inc. to commercialize our IP in metal 3D printing and coatings. It merged with Amorphology in 2020. I’m also passionate about teaching and mentoring. I hold a joint appointment as an instructor and Visiting Associate at Caltech, teaching courses in Applied Physics and Materials Science. Leveraging my experience as a collegiate athlete, I also mentor students on balancing elite sports with their academic and career goals. My research interests are in the areas of amorphous metals, metal matrix composites and additive manufacturing (aka 3D printing). In 2012, I was fortunate enough to be awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers from President Obama for my work in metal matrix composites and in 2020 I won the inaugural Young Innovator in the Materials Science of Additive Manufacturing Award from TMS. In 2023, I was elected as a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Let\'s Connect!Consulting inquiries: m••••••••@gmail.comPersonal inquiries: d•••••••@gmail.com

Experience

1. Senior Research Scientist and Principal

   NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

   Mar 2022 — Present

   Recognized by peers in the international community of researchers for contributions to JPL in space exploration and research Principal Investigator for NASA Flight Experiment called FAMIS (Fabrication of Amorphous Metals In Space). Launch to the International Space Station scheduled for October 2022Cost account manager and scientist for micrometeoroid shielding and impact sensor system for Mars Sample Return Mission. Over 65 peer-reviewed publications and 32 granted patents Presidential Early Career Award Winner from President ObamaResearch and technology development related to materials and manufacturing for the extreme environments of space. Research areas include unlubricated spacecraft gears, novel small spacecraft antenna manufacturing, robotics mobility and excavating capabilities, sampling technology, lunar deployable structures, metal alloy development, new 3D printing technologies, novel lander concepts, tunable printed fabrics, compliant mechanisms, metal origami, composite structures.

Education

• Caltech

  MS, PhD, Materials Science

  2004 — 2008

• Santa Rosa Junior College

  AA, AS, Engineering

  1999 — 2001

• UC San Diego

  BS, MS, Mechanical Engineering

  2001 — 2004

Skills

• Materials Science
• Experimentation
• Characterization
• Scanning Electron Microscopy
• Engineering
• Optical Microscopy
• Materials
• Science
• Nanotechnology
• R
• Composites