Josh E. Loukus

Dr. Loukus received his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering 1996 and his Ph.d in Ceramics Processing in 2000 from Michigan Technological University.

Dr. Loukus is a Founder and the President of REL Inc. a 50 employee Equipment, Product and Process development firm headquartered in Calumet, MI.

REL Inc engineers, builds and markets; Automated fluorescent penetrant inspection systems and Plating/Cleaning lines, High strain rate Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar test equipment and supporting software, Ceramic coatings that provide a significant thermal barrier between molten metal and mold surfaces, Patented processes to produce ceramics preforms for structural applications, Novel casting processes to create metal matrix composite (MMC) products, Beginning as a partner in a machine shop with a vertical mill and engine lathe with his father Dr. Loukus combines his education with years of practical hands on experience. He has leveraged this advantage to develop significant breakthrough technologies in multiple disciplines.

REL Inc. under the direction of Dr. Loukus has created a vertically integrated product and process engineering firm built to allow rapid development of new products and processes. This facility has complete state of the art machining centers, scanning electron microscopy, custom site built casting furnaces and presses, custom built high strain rate testing equipment and waterjet cutting among other capabilities. This equipment and know how was used to develop the high temperature ceramic insulation to allow NASA’s return to flight after the Columbia disaster. He leveraged this breakthrough technology to develop commercially viable and scalable processes to produce the ceramic preforms and casting processes required to produce aluminum and magnesium metal matrix composite (MMC) components. These components are, Class 8 truck brake drums, motorcycle rotors, passenger vehicle brake rotors and No-Lube fifth wheel wear plates for the heavy truck industry. This technology also led to the first commercially viable and scalable process to produce a conformable compressed natural (CNG) gas stage tank enhancing space efficient storage of CNG.

Dr. Loukus has authored several papers on these subject matters.