Ken Gall

Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Professor Gall’s research aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the relationship between the processing, structure, and mechanical properties of materials.  His scientific contributions range from the creation and understanding of shape memory metals and polymers to the discovery of a new phase transformation in metal nanowires.  His current research interests are 3D printed metals and polymers, soft synthetic biomaterials, and biopolymers with structured surface porous networks. 

In addition to his research he has consulted for industry, the US Military and the US Intelligence Community, and served as an expert witness in multiple patent and product litigations.  Finally, he is a passionate entrepreneur who uses fundamental scientific knowledge to hasten the commercialization of new materials and improve the effectiveness of existing materials.   He founded two medical device start-up companies, MedShape and Vertera who have commercialized university based technologies in the orthopedic medical device space.

Appointments and Affiliations

  • Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science
  • Professor of Biomedical Engineering
  • Professor in Orthopaedic Surgery

Contact Information

  • Office Location: 144 Hudson Hall, Box 90300, Durham, NC 27708
  • Office Phone: (919) 660-5430
  • Email Address: kag70@duke.edu
  • Websites:

Education

  • B.S. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1995
  • M.S. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1996
  • Ph.D. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1998

Research Interests

Materials science, mechanical properties, metals and polymers. Specialties: Shape memory materials, biomaterials, 3D printing.

Courses Taught

  • BME 494: Projects in Biomedical Engineering (GE)
  • EGR 393: Research Projects in Engineering
  • ME 391: Undergraduate Projects in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 392: Undergraduate Projects in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 491: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 492: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
  • ME 591: Research Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science
  • ME 592: Research Independent Study in Mechanical Engineering or Material Science

In the News

Representative Publications

  • Nelson, K., C. N. Kelly, and K. Gall. “Effect of stress state on the mechanical behavior of 3D printed porous Ti6Al4V scaffolds produced by laser powder bed fusion.” Materials Science and Engineering B: Solid State Materials for Advanced Technology 286 (December 1, 2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mseb.2022.116013.
  • Heimbrook, A., C. Kelly, and K. Gall. “Interface contact behavior of 3D printed porous surfaces.” Journal of Materials Research and Technology 21 (November 1, 2022): 4115–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2022.10.104.
  • Koshut, W. J., N. Kwon, J. Zhao, A. Amendola, B. J. Wiley, and K. Gall. “Flaw sensitivity and tensile fatigue of a high-strength hydrogel.” International Journal of Fatigue 163 (October 1, 2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2022.107071.
  • Zhao, J., H. Tong, A. Kirillova, W. J. Koshut, A. Malek, N. C. Brigham, M. L. Becker, K. Gall, and B. J. Wiley. “A Synthetic Hydrogel Composite with a Strength and Wear Resistance Greater than Cartilage.” Advanced Functional Materials 32, no. 41 (October 1, 2022). https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202205662.
  • Kirillova, Alina, Taylor R. Yeazel, Ken Gall, and Matthew L. Becker. “Thiol-Based Three-Dimensional Printing of Fully Degradable Poly(propylene fumarate) Star Polymers.” Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces 14, no. 34 (August 2022): 38436–47. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.2c06553.