The Materials and Manufacturing for Aerospace and Extremes Laboratory (MMAX Lab), led by Professor Daniel Oropeza, is focused on advancing materials and manufacturing science and technology, with particular interest in aerospace platforms and applications in extreme environments.
In the MMAX Lab, we aim to understand the influence of manufacturing processes on material microstructure and performance, with the purpose of informing process optimization, developing novel techniques to control material behavior, and enabling responsive manufacturing solutions.
2025 MMAX Lab members (not pictured: Jessica Lu)
Our approach couples fundamentals from material science and mechanical engineering, spanning the study of material synthesis and characterization, machine and equipment design, and manufacturing process fundamentals. For this, we use and continue to develop state-of-the-art synthesis and manufacturing testbeds, including systems for metal atomization, inkjet-based ceramic processing, and powder bed fusion additive manufacturing.
In performing our multidisciplinary work, which extends from fundamental principles to applications, we engage with a diverse set of public and private sponsors and collaborators.
Research
News
Hellman Family Faculty Fellowship Award - Medical isotope targets
Prof. Oropeza has been awarded the Hellman Family Faculty Fellowship for the 2026-2027 academic year. The award is made for our work towards "Nature-inspired shaping of medical isotope targets: a paradigm shift for sustainable production of medical radioisotopes".
Thank you to the Hellman Family, Hellman Fellows Program, and UC for their support.
SSMN Seed Grant Award - Permeable metal AM
Prof. Oropeza has been awarded the Sloan Scholars Mentoring Network 2026 Seed Grant, made possible through the generous support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The award is made for our project on "Manipulation of fluid-surface dynamics via additive manufacturing of micro-scale features".
Thank you to the SSMN and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for their support.
ASCEND-R Research Grant Award
The MMAX Lab has been selected for the ASCENDR Research and Leadership Program. This award will fund our work in advanced metal-polymer composites for use as next generation thermal protection of reusable spacecraft.
Thank you to the HSRU Award Selection Committee for their support!
Roenigk wins the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship!
Roenigk Straub has been awarded the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP) to support his work in understanding the permeable metal structures fabricated via powder bed fusion. We look forward to Roenigk's continued development at the MMAX Lab as a result of the NSF fellowship.
Congratulations, Roenigk!
Prof. Oropeza wins SHPE Young Investigator Award!
Prof. Oropeza has won the 2025 Young Investigator Award for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE).
Thank you to the STAR Awards Selection Committee for their support and to SHPE for the honor!