Outstanding!: UDRI Recognizes Award Winners
UDRI recognized its outstanding researchers, support persons and technician on April 12. For the first time in the history of the awards program, two researchers – Endel Iarve (Nonmetallic Materials division) and Pani Varanasi (Metals and Ceramics division) – tied for the Wohlebben-Hochwalt Outstanding Research Award. Also nominated for the outstanding research award were Wally Hoppe (Structural Integrity division), Nick Jacobs (Materials Engineering division), and Ran Kim (Nonmetallic Materials division).
Paul Childers (Materials Engineering) was named Outstanding Technician, and Rebecca Koesters and Shae Gleason (Subcontracts) won as a team for the Outstanding Support Person award. Hung Nguyen (Research Information Technologies Office) was also nominated for the Outstanding Technician award, and Patrice Miles (Aerospace Mechanics division) and Emma Brown (Sustainment Technologies Integration Office) were also nominated for the Outstanding Support Person award.
Endel was recognized for his work in composites designed to improve safety and efficiency of commercial and military helicopters and other rotorcraft, according to nominator Allan Crasto. In response to Air Force initiatives to make composite structures for aerospace more affordable by eliminating the need for joints and fasteners, Endel developed a suite of unique tools to evaluate the design and performance of composite materials under specific states of stress. These statistical tools identify the sub-region having the greatest probability of failure in a composite structure. Some of the tools have been transitioned for use by the United Technology Corporation Research Center in Hartford, Conn., and by Sikorsky Aircraft in Stamford, Conn. In addition, Endel developed a computer-modeling method that accurately models complex cracking and delamination networks in composite materials – a process critical to understanding failure analysis in countless applications, including rotorcraft structures. Endel’s design process improvements will result in a significant reduction in part manufacturing, which will have a direct and positive impact on the environment and on workers’ health.
Pani was recognized for his work in high-temperature superconductors, which hold appeal in a variety of applications for their ability to deliver more electrical current with less resistance. Nominator Jeff Fox said Pani’s research yielded significant improvements to the processing of nanoparticles in films used in superconducting materials, and to the understanding of the effects of such nanoparticles on the materials’ ability to carry current. Superconducting wire has the potential to greatly impact society in countless ways. Among those potential applications, superconductors can: reduce the transmission losses incurred and improve the effective use of natural resources that are used in the generation of electricity, hence reducing environmental pollution; facilitate high-speed levitated trains, improving transportation; enable lighter generators and motors for use in more efficient airplanes and ships; and spawn better MRI magnets for improved diagnostic capability. Pani’s accomplishments have re-established the international reputation of UDRI’s scientific excellence in high-temperature superconducting materials.
Paul was recognized for outstanding work in support of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials Integrity Branch in its Adhesives, Composites and Elastomers group, according to nominator Dan McCray. Specifically, Paul was instrumental in developing a repair process for an Air Force jet bulkhead that will be implemented fleetwide, providing the Air Force a cost savings of $10 million. Paul also led a key portion of a program aimed at improving adhesion of metal erosion strips for the propeller blades of an Air Force cargo plane. Because of the harsh weather often encountered by this plane, its protective erosion strips were debonding. Paul’s efforts led to an improved bonding process that is now being implemented by the propeller manufacturer. In addition, Paul’s contribution during the recent Unit Compliance Inspection conducted within the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate proved invaluable.
Rebecca and Shae were recognized for outstanding service to external and internal customers, in particular while helping to build UDRI’s volume of business with the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Air Vehicles Directorate. Nominator Tim Fry said their work has helped UDRI develop a reputation as the “go-to team” for subcontracting efforts in the Reusable Access to Space and Thermal Protections Systems research areas. The majority of credit for success with AFRL/VA goes to the outstanding productivity and quality of work that Shae and Rebecca consistently produce. They have worked to develop efficient subcontracting procedures that allow UDRI to put money on-contract in record time, thus enhancing the ability of our customer to accomplish its mission.
April 12, 2007
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