Prof. Deon J. de Beer

Prof. Deon J. de Beer

NRF Rating: C Full Professor and NRF SARChI Chair in Medical Product Development through Additive Manufacturing
Qualifications: DTech / PhD (Additive Manufacturing)

Professional Background

Prof. Deon de Beer’s research focuses on securing competitive grants to co-fund innovative Additive Manufacturing (AM) applications for the Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM), the Product Development Technology Station (PDTS), and the new B(Hons) research facility in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Recent highlights include a partnership with Aston and Loughborough Universities in the UK under the British Council’s Innovation for African Universities programme, a GIZ grant from Germany, an NRF NEP Equipment grant for a new Additive Manufacturing machine dedicated to research, and a EUREKA grant with an Austrian partner.

Prof. de Beer currently serves as the Co-Chair, alongside Prof. Ger Kelly from Munster Technological University (MTU) in Ireland, for the THENSA and the Irish Embassy North-South Biomedical Cluster. He also regularly evaluates PhD theses and Masters dissertations for local and international universities.

Research Impact and Supervision

Prof. de Beer has supervised or co-supervised 10 D.Tech/PhD students, 23 Masters students, and 7 Post-doctoral Fellows. He has published 79 journal papers, presented 185 technical and conference papers, and is the co-inventor of 5 South African patents.

Areas of Expertise

  • • Additive Manufacturing (AM)
  • • AM Innovation
  • • AM Commercialisation
  • • Industrial Competitiveness
  • • AM Applications in Industry

Selected Publications

Books and Book Chapters

  • • Wohlers Report Contribution: Prof. de Beer views his annual contribution (for 25 consecutive years) to the Wohlers Report as one of his key deliverables. This supports Additive Manufacturing development in South Africa and Africa, while serving as an excellent marketing opportunity for Additive Manufacturing excellence on the continent.

Top Journal Articles

  • • Dzogbewu, TC and De Beer, DJ. 2024. The role of PGMs in decarbonising the atmosphere: additive manufacturing in perspective. Manufacturing Review, 2024.
  • • Dzogbewu, T.C.; Amoah, N; Afrifa S. Jnr; Fianko, S.K. and De Beer, D.J. Multi-material additive manufacturing of electronics components: A bibliometric analysis, 2023.
  • • Nkhwa, S.; Montshiwa, T., De Beer, D.J, Booysen, G.J.; Van den Heever, C.J.; Els, J.; Heydenrych, A.; Kebaetse, M. 2023. Local design and manufacturing of patient-specific implant using Anatomage Medical Design Studio software: proof of concept - Botswana’s 1st case report.
  • • Moletsane, M; Du Preez, W.B., De Beer, D.J. and Nkhwa, S. 2022. Characterisation of bone-regenerating scaffolds produced through lithography-based ceramic manufacturing.
  • • Abisuga, OA and De Beer, DJ. 2022. A systematic literature review and prospects for Additive Manufacturing in the Creative Industries. Additive Manufacturing, Modelling Systems and 3D Prototyping. AFHE International.

Contact Us
Prof. Deon J. de Beer

Prof. Deon J. de Beer

ddebeer@cut.ac.za