Expert Details
Metallurgy, Tribology, Corrosion, Failure Analysis (Fatigue, Fracture, Wear, etc.), Legal Support
ID: 725266
California, USA
Expert is qualified as an expert in both civil and criminal court. He has testified for both the defense and plaintiff. One example involved a triple vehicular homicide where the defendant was accused of gross negligence when a horse was ejected from a trailer he was towing and killing the three people riding in the car behind him. The case stemmed from the corrosion and overall poor condition of the trailer. Expert represented the District Attorney on this particular case.
The core of Expert's consulting practice involves determining the root cause failure analysis of a variety of engineering components. He has worked on over 100 projects ranging from medical devices to 320 mm journal bearings in natural gas fired engines. Additionally, he taught the failure analysis series while a professor of Materials Engineering.
Array
Following the death of three motorists whose vehicle was struck by a horse that fell out of a trailer Expert was retained by the District Attorney's office to investigate the cause of the accident. The failure of the trailer door allowing the horse to be ejected was due in part to poor maintenance but mainly by metal fracture and corrosion of the door hinges. The case went to trial where Expert testified on behalf of the prosecution, describing the overall poor condition of the trailer and the fundamental causes of the metal failure / fracture.Large journal bearings from a natural gas fired engine were failing prematurely. The failures were particularly challenging as within an engine only some bearings would fail and the specific location (center, front, etc.) of the bearing did not influence the failure. After analysis of the lubricant and design of the engine it was determined the lubricant was breaking down prematurely and wear particles and corrosion were further attacking the bearings. A more vigorous oil analysis A cauterizing tool used in heart bypass surgery was binding during normal use. This binding didn't prevent the tools operation, but was alarming to the surgeons using it. Disassembly of the unit revealed wear between components and lack of lubrication in key locations. Any design changes were very limited due to FDA protocols. As such, the solution came in slight changes of contact points and lubricating method. Additionally, surface treatment of some materials allowedWhile operating a gas powered lawn edger a shaft broke allowing the main blade to be ejected and subsequently striking the operator in the face causing severe injury. Expert was retained by the blade manufacturer's counsel to investigate why the shaft broke. Working with plaintiff's experts and another defense expert it was mutually concluded that the shaft failed due to torsional fatigue which was exacerbated by repeated shock loading (striking the concrete).Following a significant oil spill at a local refinery, Expert was contacted by the company to assess the cause of the leak and evaluate the corrosion damage of several components. After investigation it was determined poor maintenance couple with employee sabotage was the cause of the spill.
Education
Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
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Year: 1997 | Degree: Ph.D. | Subject: Materials Science & Engineering | Institution: Oregon Health Science University |
Year: 1993 | Degree: B.S. | Subject: Materials Engineering | Institution: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo |
Work History
Years | Employer | Title | Department |
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Years: 2006 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: President | Department: |
Responsibilities:Run all aspects of consulting business: obtain new clients, advertise, web development, execute projects, generate reports, testify in court, etc. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1997 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Lecturer | Department: Physics and Chemistry |
Responsibilities:Teach undergraduate students physics and chemistry (teach in 2 departments). Both lectures and labs are taught and are focused on first year curriculum. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1999 to 2006 | Employer: Cal Poly State University, SLO | Title: Assistant Professor | Department: Materials Engineering |
Responsibilities:Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Materials Engineering, develop research program and produce publications, develop curriculum, engage in assessment, committee assignments, student advising, etc. |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1997 to 1999 | Employer: Quantum Corporation | Title: Design Engineer / Tribologist | Department: Advanced Technology & Design |
Responsibilities:Develop and test hydrodynamic bearings for use in disc drive motors, assess wear and degradation of materials, advise other engineers in metallurgical design parameters |
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Years | Employer | Title | Department |
Years: 1993 to 1997 | Employer: Oregon Health Science University | Title: Graduate Student | Department: Materials Science and Engineering |
Responsibilities:Research and develop self lubricating metal coatings using plasma spray as a means of metal deposition onto a surface. Coating were tested in severe rolling /sliding environments to assess wear and friction behavior compared to baseline materials |
Government Experience
Years | Agency | Role | Description |
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Years: 1999 to Present | Agency: Cal Poly State University | Role: Professor / Lecturer | Description: He was a professor of Materials Engineering for 7 years, before starting his consulting business. He is currently a part lecturer in both the Physics and Chemistry Department. |
Years: 2003 to 2003 | Agency: NASA / Jet Propulsion Laboratory | Role: Visiting Scholar | Description: As a summer scholar he investigated the morphology of quantum dots using an Atomic Force Microscope. The quantum dots were a proposed method of detecting life on future Mars missions |
Years: 2002 to 2002 | Agency: NASA / Jet Propulsion Laboratory | Role: Visiting Scholar | Description: As summer scholar he developed a method to measure friction and wear of components in a partial vacuum(Martian) environment |
International Experience
Years | Country / Region | Summary |
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Years: 1998 to 1998 | Country / Region: Japan | Summary: While working for Quantum Corporation (hard disk drive manufacturer) he was assigned to Japan to solve a critical solder failure occurring in read / write heads. The failure was significant as it prevented mass production implementation. The solder failure stemmed from contamination and inadequate heating during the process. Brittle intermetallics were forming in the solder joints that exacerbated the problem. After analyzing the process of four vendors a solution was determined and a standard method was implemented |
Career Accomplishments
Associations / Societies |
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ASM, NACE |
Professional Appointments |
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Reviewer Metallurgical and Materials Transactions Reviewer for National Science Foundation |
Awards / Recognition |
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Eagle Scout |
Medical / Professional |
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He received fellowships to work at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for 2 summers ( '02 & '03) |
Publications and Patents Summary |
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He has 12 publications in the area of materials engineering and failure analysis. He has given over 50 technical presentations on various topics within materials engineering |
Additional Experience
Expert Witness Experience |
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Qualified as an expert in both criminal and civil court. Testimony experience in deposition and trial |
Training / Seminars |
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As a professor of materials engineering over a dozen courses and labs were developed that ranged from freshman to graduate level |
Fields of Expertise
corrosion, tribology, expert witness, metal failure analysis, nonferrous metal failure analysis, steel failure analysis, root cause failure, legal support, homicide, corrosion rate, aluminum material selection, metal testing, corrosion-resistant metal, fatigue failure, abrasion testing, lubricant corrosion, corrosion fatigue, storage tank corrosion, surface coating corrosion, corrosion-resistant alloy, metal material selection, forensic engineering, aqueous corrosion, erosion-corrosion, crevice corrosion, abrasion, corrosion protection, uniform corrosion, stress corrosion, pitting, localized corrosion, fretting corrosion, cavitation erosion, atmospheric corrosion