Dr Damon Kent received his BEng (Hons), MPhil and PhD degrees from The University of Queensland. He is currently Associate Professor of Engineering Sciences within the School of Science, Technology and Engineering at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC). He is currently Program Coordinator responsible for the development of teaching and research in the Mechanical Engineering program.
Dr Kent has worked as a mechanical engineer in commercial manufacturing environments and has an active portfolio of industry focused research. He is passionate about fostering strong links between teaching and research. He was the recipient of Res-Teach awards in 2013 and 2014 from The University of Queensland to support his efforts to enhance teaching and learning through exposure of students to current research and modern learning practices.
Dr Kent’s research interests centre around development and processing of metallic alloys for structural applications across the medical, aerospace, and automotive industries. He has interests in light metals (titanium and aluminium based alloys and composites) in aspects such as phase transformations and precipitation reactions, deformation and ultra-fine grain materials, powder metallurgy processing and additive manufacturing. He is an expert in materials characterisation techniques and has extensive experience in electron microscopy, x-ray analysis, mechanical property evaluation, and other materials characterisation methods.
Professional memberships
- Australian Research Council (ARC), College of Experts
- Materials Australia, Certified Materials Professional
- Engineers Australia, Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE)
Research grants
- Bioresorbable metal implants with controlled-degradation and long-lasting antibacterial performance, UniSC Launch Pilot Scheme (2023)
- A customised triple-beam microscope for precise fabricating/characterizing to establish a customised triple-beam microscope (LE210100036) - ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (2021)
- An Integrated Materials Surface Analytical Facility (LE190100144) - ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (2019)
- Determination of dominant nucleation driving force for precipitation in a metastable (beta)Ti alloy - Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, ANSTO (2018)
- ARC Research Hub for Advanced Manufacturing of Medical Devices - ARC Industrial Transformation Research Program (2017-2022).
- Development of Next Generation Endovascular Grafts, QLD Smart Futures - Research Partnerships Program (2012-2015).
Research areas
- Net shape and additive manufacturing
- New titanium alloys for biomedical and aerospace applications
- Degradable metals (Zn, Fe and Mg alloys) for medical implants
- Powder metallurgy processing of titanium and aluminium alloys, composites, and porous structures
- Heat treatment, phase transformations and precipitation reactions in aluminium and titanium alloys
Teaching areas
- SCI107 Physics
- ENG104 Introduction to Engineering Design
- ENS281 Introduction to Sustainable Energy Systems
- MEC225 Engineering Materials
Program coordinator
Associate Professor Damon Kent's specialist areas of knowledge are on advanced materials and manufacturing for the automotive, aerospace, and medical industries.