John Hart is the Class of 1922 Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He serves as faculty co-director of the MIT Initiative for New Manufacturing, director of the Center for Additive and Digital Advanced Production Technologies, director of the Laboratory for Manufacturing and Productivity, and faculty chair of the MechE Design and Manufacturing Facilities. Hart earned a B.S.E. from the University of Michigan in 2000, an S.M. in mechanical engineering in 2002, and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in 2006 from MIT. Before joining MIT as associate professor in 2013, he was assistant professor of mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and art/design at the University of Michigan from 2007 to 2013. He advanced to full professor at MIT in 2020.

Hart's research focuses on manufacturing processes, materials, machine design and automation, and digital and data-driven engineering. He leads the MIT Mechanosynthesis Group, with advances in additive manufacturing, nanostructured materials, precision machine design, 3D printing, carbon nanomaterials, and printed electronics. In 2021, he founded the Manufacturing@MIT Working Group, hosting discussions with leaders from academia, government, and industry on the future of production. His awards include the MIT Ruth and Joel Spira Award for Distinguished Teaching in Mechanical Engineering (2017), MIT Keenan Award for Innovation in Undergraduate Education (2018), NSF CAREER Award (2012), Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program Award (2012), Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Program Award (2011), 3M Nontenured Faculty Award (2014), Pi Tau Sigma Gold Medal (2009), and National Academy of Engineering Frontiers of Engineering (2010). Hart co-founded VulcanForms, Desktop Metal, Upgrade Manufacturing, and Fabri, and serves as a board member of Carpenter Technology Corporation.

Professional Email: ajhart@mit.edu