Garam Kim
Dr. Garam Kim is an Assistant Professor in the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology at Purdue University. He completed his Ph.D. degree at the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology in 2021. He is an affiliated faculty member in the Composites Manufacturing and Simulation Center (CMSC) and manages the Reisbeck Advanced Composite Laboratory (RACL) with Professors R. Byron Pipes and Ronald Sterkenburg. Dr. Kim has over 10 years of experience in fiber-reinforced composite structures manufacturing, testing, and characterization. His research focuses on additive manufacturing, surface coatings, composites machining process optimization, composite structural testing, composites mechanical and thermal property analysis, and advanced composite manufacturing technologies. He has worked closely with multiple aircraft industry organizations in pursuit of industrially sponsored research and development projects. Prior to his doctoral studies, he received certification as a FAA Airframe & Power plant mechanic (A&P) and served as an aircraft maintenance technician in the Republic of Korea Air Force with J-85 and F404 engines.
Graduate Research Assistant Positions Available (2025 Fall Semester)
We are seeking a highly self-motivated Graduate Research Assistant to support research in the following areas:
(1) 3D printed tooling for fiber-reinforced composite part manufacturing
(2) Recycling/upcycling of fiber-reinforced composite materials
The ideal candidates will pursue a Ph.D. in Technology or Aviation Technology and Management at the School of Aviation and Transportation Technology, Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University.
Qualification
- A bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, material science engineering, aerospace engineering, technology, or related fields is required.
-
Interests or experiences in one or more of the following areas are preferred:
- Composite Part & Tool Design
- Composite Manufacturing Technologies
- Composites Machining
- Composites Testing and Characterization
- Composites Sustainability
- Multi-functional Composites
- Structural Simulation
- Experience with CAM software (CATIA or Mastercam) and CNC operation.
How to Apply:
Please email Dr. Garam Kim, kim1652@purdue.edu with the following materials: (1) CV and (2) (unofficial) Transcripts
Education:
- BS in Aeronautical Engineering Technology, Purdue University
- MS in Aviation and Aerospace Management, Purdue University
- PhD in Technology, Purdue University
Certifications:
- The Purdue Certificate of Entry-Level Programming in Python
- The Purdue Certificate of Foundations in College Teaching
- FAA A&P Certificate
- Korea Industrial Engineer Aircraft Maintenance
- Korea Craftsman Aircraft Airframe Maintenance
- Korea Craftsman Electricity
- Korea Craftsman Aircraft Powerplant Maintenance
-
Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
- Hanhwa Non-tenured Faculty Award
- 2023 - 2024 Outstanding Faculty in Discovery in SATT
- ACE Award Finalist (CAMX 2023)
- CAMX Award Finalist (CAMX 2023)
- Best Paper Winner - Enhancing Structural Performance of Recycled Fiber-Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites Through Incorporating Composite Laminate Precuts (SPE ACCE 2023)
- Best Paper Honorable Mention - Influence of Waterjet Cut Quality for Fabrication of Test Specimen on Mechanical Testing Results (SPE ACCE 2023)
- 2022 - 2023 Outstanding Faculty in Discovery in SATT
- Best Paper Award - Compression Molding of Hybrid Continuous and Discontinuous Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastics for Enhancing Strength Characteristics (SAMPE 2023)
- Best Paper Award - Application of Thermoset Polymer Coating with Ceramic Particle to Additively Manufactured Carbon Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composite Tooling (SPE ACCE 2022)
- Best Paper Award - Investigating the Effectiveness of a 3D Printed Composite Mold (ICAMPT 2019; XIII. International Conference on Aircraft Materials and Processing Technology)
- Best Paper Award - Investigating the Fiber Content, Fiber Length, and Curing Characteristics of 3D Printed Recycled Carbon Fiber (ICCM 2019; International Conference on Composite Materials)
Journal article
[1] Kim, G., Su, R., Lee, H., Tackett, D., Barocio, E., Ropp, TD., & Pipes, RB. (2024) Manufacturing
of stretchable wavy-patterned fiber-reinforced elastomer composites and its behaviors under
tensile loading conditions. SAMPE Journal, 60(5).
[2] Kim, G., Lee, H., Arnold, K., & Rodriguez, J. (2024) Reusing uncured Fiber-reinforced thermoset
composite Prepreg waste with water-soluble PVA backing film. Sustainable Materials and
Technologies, e01016.
[3] Barocio, E., Hicks, J., Kim, G., Favaloro, A., Ghosh, G., Goodsell, J., & Pipes, RB. (2024)
Validation of shape change predictions for stamp forming of carbon fiber thermoplastic composite
laminates. Composites Part B: Engineering, 275, 111325.
[4] Kim, G., Kulkarni, S., Lee, H., & Denos, B. (2023) Step and scarf joint elastic and failure
behavior comparison under tensile and flexural loading. Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites,
07316844231210141.
[5] Barocio, E., Eichenhofer, M., Kalman, J., Fjeld, LM., Kirchhoff, J., Kim, G., & Pipes, RB.
(2023) Fiber reinforced thermoplastics: Compression molding of hybrid continuous and discontinuous
fiber reinforced thermoplastics for enhancing strength characteristics. SAMPE Journal, 59(5)
[6] Kim, G., Barocio, E., Tsutsui, W., Wang, P., Dubikovsky, S., Pipes, RB. & Sterkenburg, R.
(2023) Applicability assessment of thermoset coating onto additively manufactured thermoplastic
composite molds. Additive Manufacturing, 61, 103289.
[7] Kim, G., Lee, H., Zhang, G., Mull, C. & Kang, k. (2023) Investigation of flexural properties
of cement reinforced with recycled carbon fiber-reinforced polymer composite additives. American
Journal of Construction and Building Materials, 7(2), 13-18.
[8] Gao, J., Kedir, N., Hernandez, J., Gao, J., Horn, T., Kim, G., Fezzaa, K., Tallman, T., Palmese,
G., Sterkenburg, R. & Chen, W. (2022) Dynamic fracture of glass fiber-reinforced ductile polymer
matrix composites and loading rate effect. Composites Part B: Engineering, 235, 109754.
[9] Futch. T, Kim, G., & Sterkenburg, R. (2021) Investigating the effects that alternative turbine
engine fuels have on the mechanical properties of carbon-fiber/epoxy composite. Mechanics of
Composite Materials, 57, 597-608.
[10] Kim, G., Barocio, E., Tsutsui, W., Wang, P., Dubikovsky, S., Pipes, RB. & Sterkenburg, R.
(2021). Enhancing surface characteristics of additive manufactured fiber reinforced thermoplastic
mold using thermoset coating with ceramic particles. Surface and Coating Technology, 422.
[11] Gao, J., Kedir, N., Kirk, CD., Hernandez, J., Wang, J., Paulson, S., Zhai, X., Horn, T., Kim,
G., Fezzaa, K., De Carlo, F., Shevchenko, P., Tallman, T., Sterkenburg, R. & Chen, W. (2021).
High-speed synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast imaging for evaluating microscale damage mechanisms
and tracking cracking behaviors inside cross-ply GFRCs. Composites Science and Technology,210.
[12] Kim, G., Barocio, E. Sterkenburg, R. (2021). Enhancing part demolding characteristics
of additively manufactured fiber-reinforced polymer composite tools via surface coating. Additive
Manufacturing.
[13] Gao, J., Kedir, N., Kirk, C., Hernandez, J., Wang, J., Paulson, S., Zhai, X., Horn, T., Kim,
G., Gao, J., Fezzaa, K., De Carlo, F.R., Shevchenko, P., Tallman, T., Sterkenburg, R., Palmese, G.
& Chen, W. (2020). Real-time damage characterization for GFRCs using high-speed synchrotron
X-ray phase contrast imaging. Composites Part B: Engineering.
[14] Gao, J., Kirk, C., Kedir, N., Paulson, S., Hernandez, J., Gao, J., Zhai, X., Wang, J., Horn,
T., Kim, G., De Carlo, F.R., Shevchenko, P., Tallman, T., Palmese, G., Sterkenburg, R. & Chen,
W. (2020). A method for characterization of multiple dynamic constitutive parameters of FRCs.
Composites Science and Technology.
[15] Kim, G. & Sterkenburg, R. (2021). Investigating what effects aviation fluids have on the
flatwise compressive strength of Nomex® honeycomb core material. Journal of Sandwich Structures
and Materials, 23 (1), 265-382.
[16] Zhou, F., Tsai, J., Jo, S., Kim, G., Lee, P., & Jun, M. (2020). In-situ monitoring of solidification
process of PVA solution by fiber optic sensor technique. IEEE Sensors Journal, 21 (5),
6170-6178.
[17] Kim, G., He, Y., Kulkarni, S., & Sterkenburg, R. (2020). The influence of aircraft fluid
ingression on tensile properties of aramid fiber composites. Advanced Composite Materials.
[18] Kim, G., Dubikovsky, S., Wang, PH., & Sterkenburg, R. (2020). Open-ended capstone project:
designing and manufacturing of a low-cost carbon fiber reinforced composite suborbital rocket
payload housing using a 3D printed core. International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and
Aerospace, 7 (2).
[19] Kim, G., Denos, R., & Sterkenburg, R. (2020). Influence of different piercing methods of
abrasive waterjet on delamination of fiber reinforced composite laminate. Composite Structures,
240.
[20] Wang, P., Kim, G., & Sterkenburg, R. (2019). Investigating the effectiveness of a 3D printed
composite mold. International Journal of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering,13 (11),684-688.
[21] Wang, P., Sterkenburg, R. Kim, G., & He, Y., (2019). Investigating the fiber content, fiber
length, and curing characteristics of 3D printed recycled carbon fiber. International Journal of
Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, 13 (4), 161-164.
[22] Kim, G., Barocio, E., Pipes, R. B., & Sterkenburg, R. (2019). 3D printed thermoplastic
polyurethane bladder for manufacturing of fiber reinforced composites. Additive Manufacturing,
29, 100809.
[23] Kim, G., Sterkenburg, R., & Tsutsui, W. (2018). Investigating the effects of fluid intrusion
on Nomex® honeycomb sandwich structures with carbon fiber facesheets. Composite Structures,
206, 535-549.
[24] Nie, Y., Parab, N. D., Chu, J. M., Kim, G., Sun, T., Fezzaa, K., Sterkenburg, R., & Chen,
W. W. (2018). Dynamic crack propagation from a circular defect in a unidirectional carbon fiber
reinforced plastic composite. Journal of Composite Materials, 52 (25), 3539-3547.
[25] Kim, G. & Sterkenburg, R. (2017). Introducing reverse engineering technologies in an aeronautical
engineering technology curriculum. ATEC Journal, 39 (2), 12-18.
Conference
[1] Montrose, J. & Kim, G.. Investigation of additively manufactured composite modular tooling
under thermal cycling. InProceedings of SPE ACCE 2024.
[2] Choi, & Kim, G.. Optimization of fiber-reinforced composite patch repair for steel bridge
girders. InProceedings of SPE ACCE 2024.
[3] Kim, G.. Investigation of performance of different threaded inserts in fiber reinforced composite
laminate. InProceedings of SPE ACCE 2024.
[4] Kim, G., Su, R., Lee, H., Tackett, D., Barocio, E., Ropp, TD., & Pipes, RB. (2024). Manufacturing
of stretchable wavy-patterned fiber-reinforced elastomer composites and its behaviors under
tensile loading condition. In Proceedings of the SAMPE Long Beach 2024.
[5] Montrose, J., Kim, G., & Bacorio., E (2024). Investigation of adhesive joints for printed
autoclave modular tools. In Proceedings of the SAMPE Long Beach 2024.
[6] Barocio, E., Hicks, J., Kim, G., Goodsell, J. & Pipes, RB. (2024). Shape compensation of
stamp-formed thermoplastic composites. In Proceedings of the SAMPE Long Beach 2024.
[7] Kim, G., Barocio, E., Choi, S., Eichenhofer, M,. Kalman, J., & Pipes, RB. (2023). Enhancing
structural performance of upcycled fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites through additively
manufactured continuous fiber reinforced performs. In Proceedings of the CAMX Atlanta 2023.
[8] Choi, S., Kim, G. Barocio, E. & Lee, H. (2023). Investigation of fiber content, fiber direction,
and surface characteristics of different surface angle of additively manufactured composite relative
to the printing direction. In Proceedings of the CAMX Atlanta 2023.
[9] Barocio, E., Pibulchinda. P., Kim, G., & Pipes, RB. (2023). Investigation of in-plane and
out-of-plane deformation mechanisms in composite additive manufacturing. In Proceedings of the
CAMX Atlanta 2023.
[10] Choi, S., Kim, G., Lee, H., & Barocio E. (2023). Investigation of fiber content, fiber direction,
and surface characteristics of different surface angle of additively manufactured composite relative
to the printing direction. In Proceedings of the SPE ACCE 2023.
[11] Lee, H., Kim, G. & Barocio, E. (2023). Ultrasonic welding optimization of continuous carbon
fiber thermoplastic reinforced composite plies. In Proceedings of the SPE ACCE 2023.
[12] Montrose, J., Kim, G. & Lee, H. (2023). Influence of waterjet cut quality for fabrication of
test specimen on mechanical testing results. In Proceedings of the SPE ACCE 2023.
[13] Kim, G., Choi, S., Lee, H., & Barocio, E. (2023). Enhancing structural performance of recycled
fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites through incorporating composite laminate precuts. In
Proceedings of the SPE ACCE 2023.
[14] Kim, G., & Barocio, E. (2024). Enhancing part demolding characteristics of additively manufactured
fiber-reinforced polymer composite tools via surface coating. In Proceedings of the SAMPE
Seattle 2023.
[15] Barocio, E., Eichenhofer, M., Kalman, J., Fjeld, LM., Kirchhoff, J., Kim, G., & Pipes, RB.
(2023). Compression molding of hybrid continuous and discontinuous fiber reinforced thermoplastics
for enhancing strength characteristics. In Proceedings of the SAMPE Seattle 2023.
[16] Lee, H., Kim, G. & Barocio, E. (2023). Optimization of ultrasonic welding parameters for
carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite plies. In Proceedings of the SAMPE Seattle 2023.
[17] Zhang, G., Kim, G., & Lee, H. (2023). Demonstration of carbon fiber reinforced composite
honeycomb core fabrication and investigation of its mechanical properties. In Proceedings of the
SAMPE Seattle 2023.
[18] Gao, J., Kim, G. & Chen, W. (2022). Dynamic behavior of fiber-reinforced composites
under triaxial compression. In Proceedings of the American Society for Composites—Thirty-Seventh
Technical Conference 2022.
[19] Gao, J., Kedir, N., Kirk, C.D., Hernandez, J.A., Wang, J., Zhai, X., Horn, T., Kim, G.,
Fezzaa, K., De Carlo, F.R., & Shevchenko, P. (2020). In-situ observation of dynamic damage
evolution inside GFRCs through high-speed X-ray PCI. InProceedings of the American Society for
Composites—Thirty-fifth Technical Conference 2020.
[20] Wang, P., Sterkenburg, R. Kim, G., & He, Y. (2019). Investigating the void content, fiber
content, and fiber orientation of 3D printed recycled carbon fiber. In Proceedings of the 2019 4th
International Conference on Composite Materials and Material Engineering (ICCMME2019).
[21] Kim, G., Denos, B., Sterkenburg, R., Wang, P., & Ahsan, S. (2019). Investigation of influence
of different piercing methods of abrasive waterjet on delamination of fiber reinforced composite
laminate. In SAMPE 2019 Conference, Charlotte, NC.
[22] Sterkenburg, R., Wang, P., & Kim, G. (2018). Secondary machining operations for carbon
fiber 3D printed molds. In Conference Proceedings of ICCE-26, Paris.
[23] Kim, G., Barocio, E., Sterkenburg, R., & Wang, P. (2018). Application of 3D printed thermoplastic
urethane bladder in bladder assisted composite manufacturing process. In Proceedings of
the SAMPE Long Beach 2018.
[24] Kim, G., & Sterkenburg, R. (2017). Investigating what effects traditional aviation fluids might
on the compressive strength of NomexR○ honeycomb core material. In Proceedings of the SAMPE
Seattle 2017.
[25] Sterkenburg, R., Kim, G., & Futch, T. (2017). Testing the effects of fluid intrusion in aircraft
honeycomb structures. In Proceedings of the 2017 ICCE-25 Conference.
[26] Kim, G., Futch, T., Sterkenburg, R., Ahsan. S,. Kilaz, G., & Kozak, B. (2017). Investigating
the effects of fluid intrusion on NomexR○ honeycomb structures with carbon fiber face sheets. In
Proceedings of the 2017 Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration.
[27] Kim, G., & Sterkenburg, R. (2017). Manufacturing or reparing composite parts and components
using laser scanning technology. In Proceedings of the American Society for Composites 32nd
Technical Conference.
[28] Futch, T., Kim, G., Zorrilla, M., Kilaz, G., & Sterkenburg, R. (2016). Investigating the effects
that alternative turbine engine fuels might have on the mechanical properties of an epoxy resin
system. In Proceedings of the 2016 International SAMPE Technical Conference.
Professional Affiliations:
- Director, Raisbeck Advanced Composite Laboratory (RACL)
- Assistant Director of Manufacturing, Composites Manufacturing and Simulation Center (CMSC)
- Co-Director, Composites Additive Manufacturing and Simulation (CAMS) Consortium
- Member, American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)
- Member, University Aviation Association (UAA)
- Member, American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA)
- Member, Society of Advanced Materials and Process Engineering (SAMPE)