A team of researchers from civil and environmental engineering, led by professors Simos Gerasimidis and Chengbo Ai, have received the inaugural IDEAS | next Award from the American Institute of Steel Construction for pioneering a field-ready cold spray additive manufacturing repair technique.
In May 2025, Gerasimidis research group, in collaboration with MIT, MassDOT, MassTech, and the Federal Highway Administration, used the technology to restore a damaged section of Great Barrington’s “Red Bridge” in a live demonstration.
“We are sincerely grateful to the American Institute of Steel Construction for this recognition and for their leadership in elevating bold, forward-looking ideas within the steel community,” said Gerasimidis. “This award reinforces the importance of investing in research that bridges fundamental mechanics, advanced manufacturing and real-world infrastructure needs.”