Professor Hardt’s teaching and research have been focused on manufacturing process control and design.  His research has addressed diverse processes from welding and sheet forming to polymer micro-embossing and micro-contact printing; and most recently large-scale additive manufacturing.  His current research is focused on large-scale manufacturing of low-cost homes using recycled polymers. 

He has served as Director of the MIT Laboratory for Manufacturing and Engineering Co-Director for the MIT Leaders for Manufacturing (Now LGO), and as Associate Department Head and Graduate Officer in the Mechanical Engineering Department. 

Prof. Hardt led the Singapore MIT Alliance (SMA) program on Manufacturing, which led to the creation of the Master of Engineering in Advanced Manufacturing degree (AMDP) program.  Most recently he led the development of a MicroMaster credential on the EdX platform in the “Principles of Manufacturing”, which has awarded more than 4700 course certificates in the first three years of operation.     

He currently serves on the Technical Advisory Board of two companies: Industrial ML and MyTide Therapeutics.