João Paulo Oliveira Vidal – CV

JOÃO PAULO OLIVEIRA VIDAL

PhD Researcher in Polymer Engineering & Science | CFD Expert | Innovation Entrepreneur

📧 jpovidal@gmail.com 📱 +351 931 920 995 📍 Guimarães, Portugal

Professional Summary

Innovative PhD Researcher in Polymer Engineering & Science with demonstrated expertise in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), high-performance computing (HPC), and industrial process optimization. Technical co-founder driving digital transformation through advanced simulation solutions. 6+ years of progressive experience spanning academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. Specialized in developing OpenFOAM-based computational tools for manufacturing excellence, with proven track record delivering measurable optimization results (40% cycle time reduction). Published researcher with international visibility, fluent in technical communication across English and Portuguese.

Education

PhD in Polymer Engineering & Science

University of Minho – Institute for Polymers and Composites (IPC)

Guimarães, Portugal | 2024–Present

Funded by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia)

Master of Science in Product Engineering

University of Minho

Guimarães, Portugal | 2015–2023

Grade: 16/20 | Thesis: “Advanced Methodologies for Temperature Control in Thermoplastic Extrusion”

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Polytechnic Institute of Bragança

Bragança, Portugal | 2010–2014

Grade: 12/20

Professional Experience

Co-Founder & Technical Lead

MESHUB – SERVIÇOS DE ENGENHARIA E SIMULAÇÃO, LDA 2024–Present

Guimarães, Portugal

Co-founded and actively leading a Portuguese startup specializing in advanced computational simulation and optimization services for industrial applications. Lead technical strategy and project delivery across CFD, CSM, and FSI domains using open-source tools (OpenFOAM, Dakota).

Development Engineer

Soprefa – Componentes Industriais SA 2018–2024

Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal

Led technical development on advanced extrusion die design and high-performance computing initiatives.

Technical lead on EU-funded project HPC4PE (High-Performance Computing for Profile Extrusion), delivering computational tools that reduced die optimization cycles by 40%
Developed CAD integration framework enabling automated extrusion die optimization using Dakota
Designed and validated extrusion dies for profile production, improving dimensional accuracy and material efficiency
Key Achievement: Paper published in Meccanica (2025) demonstrating HPC-accelerated die optimization methodology

Research Fellow

University of Minho – Institute for Polymers and Composites 2016–2017

Guimarães, Portugal

Smart Pool Cover & Deck – Developed simulation models for sustainable pool infrastructure solutions
Simulprint – Conducted finite element analysis of flexographic printing deposit processes

Technical Skills

Computational Methods & Software

CFD: OpenFOAM (expert)| CSM: FEA modeling | CAD: SolidWorks, Fusion360, FreeCad, Salome, ParaView, CfMesh

Programming Languages

C++ (advanced) – OpenFOAM solver development | Python (proficient) – automation, post-processing | Bash – HPC scripting

Optimization & Analysis

Dakota optimization framework | Design of experiments | Multi-physics simulation

Key Technical Domains

Polymer processing & extrusion | Multiphase flows | Thermal analysis | Additive manufacturing simulation | Rheology & material characterization

Research Output

Journal Publications

Vidal, J., Nóbrega, J. M. “An Enhanced Temperature Control Approach to Simulate Profile Extrusion.” Polymers, 2024. DOI: 10.3390/polym16070904

Gross, H.; Gross, S.; Nóbrega, J. M.; Vidal, J. P. O. “3D-Printed Minimalists – Improved Extrusion Head Designs thanks to Additive Manufacturing.” Kunststoffe International, 109(1-2): 40-43, 2019.

Bjørge, I. M.; Costa, A. M. S.; Silva, A. S.; Vidal, J. P. O.; Nóbrega, J. M.; Mano, J. F. “Tuneable spheroidal hydrogel particles for cell and drug encapsulation.” Soft Matter, 14(27): 5622-5627, 2018. DOI: 10.1039/c8sm00921j

Book Chapter

Groß, H.; Groß, S.; Nóbrega, J. M.; Vidal, J. (2017). “Sind selektiv lasergeschmolzene Blasköpfe eine Option für die Zukunft?” In Blasformen 2017 (pp. 173-184). VDI Verlag. DOI: 10.51202/9783182443506-173

Magazine Article

Vidal, J.; Sacramento, A.; Nóbrega, J. M.; Guerreiro, J. “High Performance Computing for Profile Extrusion.” Futurities, 2024. View Article

Conference Presentations

18th OpenFOAM Workshop (2023, Genova, Italy) – “Optimization of Profile Extrusion Dies in HPC Systems” (Oral)
18th OpenFOAM Workshop (2023, Genova, Italy) – “Enhanced Modeling of Temperature Control in Polymer Extrusion Processes” (Oral)
PPS-38 Conference (2023, St. Gallen) – “Resorting to High Performance Computing to Optimize Profile Extrusion Dies” (Poster)
4th FOAM@Iberia Meeting (2022, Santander) – “Assessing effects of polymer extrusion temperature control approaches on process stability” (Oral)
2º Foam@PT / 1º Foam Ibérico (2017, Coimbra) – “Assessing Selective Laser Melting In Extrusion Blow Molding” (Oral)
Polímeros 2017 (2017, Guimarães) – “Assessing Selective Laser Melting In Extrusion Blow Molding Tooling” (Poster)
12th OpenFOAM Workshop (2017, Exeter, UK) – “Assess the application of metal additive manufacturing in extrusion blow molding” (Poster)

Languages

Language	Proficiency	Reading	Writing	Speaking
Portuguese	Native	C2	C2	C2
English	Fluent	C2	C2	C2
Spanish	Basic	B1	A2	A2

Research Projects & Funding

Project	Role	Funder	Period	Status
PhD in Polymer Engineering & Science – FCT Grant	Doctoral Researcher	FCT, Portugal	2024–Present	Ongoing
HPC4PE – High-Performance Computing for Profile Extrusion	Technical Development Lead	EuroHPC Joint Undertaking	2022–2023	Completed
Smart Pool Cover & Deck – Sustainable Pool Solutions	Research Fellow	Agência Nacional de Inovação	2017	Completed
Simulprint – Flexographic Printing Simulation	Research Fellow	Agência Nacional de Inovação	2016–2017	Completed

Key Competencies

Technical Leadership

Project direction and technical decision-making
HPC infrastructure strategy and optimization
Multiphysics simulation methodology

Industry Application

Polymer processing and extrusion expertise
Client-focused consulting and advisory
Complex manufacturing optimization

Research & Development

Peer-reviewed publication authorship
International conference presentation
Research commercialization

Team & Engagement

Cross-functional collaboration
Technical communication (English & Portuguese)
Knowledge transfer and mentoring

Professional Engagement

OpenFOAM Community – Active technical contributor and international conference presenter
Regular participant in advanced computational engineering workshops and international conferences