Ismael Hidalgo

I’m a 4th-year Ph.D. candidate in Materials Science and Engineering at Baylor University, conducting research at the Baylor Research and Innovation Collaborative and the Point-of-Need Innovation Center. My work advances solid-state additive manufacturing through Twin-Rod Additive Friction Stir Deposition (TR-AFSD) for the structural repair of high-strength aluminum alloys, particularly AA7050 and AA7075. I investigate the thermomechanical behavior, microstructural evolution, and fatigue performance of repaired components under aerospace-grade conditions. Funded by the Department of Defense SMART Scholarship, my goal is to develop scalable, contaminant-free repair strategies that enhance durability, reduce downtime, cut costs, and extend service life in 5th-generation aircraft and naval platforms. I bring a multidisciplinary background spanning defense-sponsored materials research, nuclear systems engineering, and microstructural characterization across various alloy systems.

Originally from Puerto Rico, I’m driven by a passion for innovation, resilience, and real-world impact in advanced manufacturing.