Expert Details
Abrasives & Grinding Technology; Manufacturing Engineering; Materials Science (Superabrasives, Vitrified Bonding); Applications Engineering
ID: 733627
Kansas, USA
Expert began an industrial career as a materials technologist and later technical manager for a European abrasive products manufacturer, developing vitrified abrasive products and superabrasive grinding technologies for international industrial markets. Expert then transitioned into academia, holding postdoctoral, lecturer, and professorial appointments at universities in the United Kingdom and United States, consistently combining teaching with applied industrial research in grinding, machining, and manufacturing technology. At one university, Expert co-founded a spin-off company commercializing micro- and nanotechnology research into abrasive products, securing federal and venture funding and providing technical consultancy to more than 50 companies, generating measurable job creation, cost savings, and sales growth for client organizations. Expert subsequently returned to industry as a research leader at a major abrasives manufacturer before returning to academia, where Expert currently holds an endowed professorship and serves as an academic department head and director of research.
Over the course of this career, Expert has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific publications and presented more than 100 technical conference papers, and has directed applied research projects for numerous major industrial clients in the abrasives, aerospace, and manufacturing sectors.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 2017 | Degree: Doctor of Science | Subject: Mechanical Engineering | Institution: Liverpool John Moores University |
| Year: 1995 | Degree: PhD | Subject: Mechanical Engineering | Institution: Liverpool John Moores University |
| Year: 1991 | Degree: Master of Engineering | Subject: Mechanical Engineering | Institution: Liverpool Polytechnic |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2013 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: Professor, Academic Department Head, and Director of Research | Department: Technology and Aviation |
Responsibilities:Leads an academic department engaged in teaching, research, and industry collaboration in engineering and manufacturing; currently developing programs on camshaft/crankshaft grinding for small engines used in unmanned aerial vehicles and light aircraft, and a high-precision 3D printer for printing abrasive grains. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2013 to 2013 | Employer: Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology | Title: Department Chairperson and Associate Professor | Department: |
Responsibilities:Lead an academic department to provide teaching and research activities and engage with industry in the area of mechanical engineering and manufacturing. Conducted consultancy projects for Bates Technologies, IN, on the development of bonding systems and structures for honing applications. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2011 to 2013 | Employer: Saint Gobain Corporation | Title: Research Leader and Research Associate | Department: |
Responsibilities:Conducted customer-focused R&D of vitrified abrasive products applied across a variety of industrial markets; managed a team of research engineers supporting bonded and superabrasive products, including diamond dressing tools and cBN grinding wheels; developed a five-year product development strategy for vitrified alumina products (cam/crank grinding, creep-feed grinding, double-disc grinding, coated abrasives, and abrasive cut-off/foundry applications); developed new bonding systems for seeded-gel abrasives to reduce frictional resistance and improve chip-making function. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2004 to 2011 | Employer: Purdue University/Micro Machinists LLC | Title: Associate Department Head for Research and Director of Research/ Coordinator of the Technical Assistance Program | Department: |
Responsibilities:Provided teaching and research activities; co-founded a university spin-off company to commercialize micro- and nanotechnology research into products, secure funding (SBIR, NSF, venture capital), and sell nanotechnology products. Co-founded the company and led high-value abrasive development research (segments for vertical spindle surface grinding on behalf of Duramic and Eagle Grinding Wheel, IL) and 3D printing of abrasive structures; authored a business plan winning second prize ($15,000) in a state business plan competition; performed technical consultancy for over 50 companies on product design (creating 10 new jobs, saving companies over $1M, and generating over $5M in increased sales); developed an economic analysis methodology for optimum tooling selection; developed an implementation strategy for new coating technology (Y-12 National Security Complex) yielding 50–300% tool life improvements and 30–70% cost savings; conducted creep-feed grinding development at Rolls-Royce's Indianapolis plant. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2002 to 2004 | Employer: Tennessee Technological University | Title: Associate Professor | Department: |
Responsibilities:Provided teaching and research activities and engaged with industry in the areas of mechanical engineering and manufacturing technology. Conducted research to develop laser-dressed vitrified bond formulations for applications in the area of micro grinding, i.e., polishing, bearing ring grinding, injector pumps for TRW and Timken) and processing of nuclear materials for Y12 at Oak Ridge, TN |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1998 to 2002 | Employer: University of Liverpool | Title: University Lecturer | Department: |
Responsibilities:Provided teaching and research activities and engaged with industry in the areas of mechanical engineering and manufacturing technology (Machining and grinding technology). Conducted research in the area of resin-bonded grinding wheels for grinding of rolls, rail grinding applications, tool and cutter grinding, and creep-feed grinding on behalf of Consort Diamond Products, Centrax, Harlequin International, and Phoenix Abrasives). |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1997 to 1998 | Employer: University of Cambridge and University of Oxford | Title: Post Doctoral Research Fellow | Department: |
Responsibilities:Provided teaching and research activities and engaged with industry in the areas of mechanical engineering and manufacturing technology (diamond and other hard materials). Conducted research into the wear of diamond and cBN and developed vitrified bonding systems for cam and crankshaft grinding applications (on behalf of Unicorn International). |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1992 to 1997 | Employer: Unicorn Abrasives | Title: Technical Manager – Applications Engineering/ Materials Technologist | Department: |
Responsibilities:Conducted customer-focused R&D of vitrified abrasive products applied across European industrial markets; managed a team of applications engineers supporting bonded and superabrasive products, including dressing tools and grinding wheels; developed nanotechnology-based training tools for high-performance vitrified cBN grinding wheels for the cam/crank market in the USA and Europe; produced monthly technical reports for management. |
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Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| • Fellow of the Institute of Minerals, Materials and Mining, (UK). • Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (UK). • Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, London (UK). • Member of the ASME, ‘American Society of Mechanical Engineers’, (USA). • Member of the ASM, ‘American Society of Materials’, (USA). |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| UK: Chartered Engineer (1998) Chartered Scientist (2016) Chartered Environmentalist (2016) |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| • Holder of an endowed professorship in recognition of academic and research leadership • Second-prize winner, state collegiate business plan competition |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| • 100+ peer-reviewed scientific papers, plus edited books and book chapters (topics include abrasive/grinding technology, vitrified bonding, superabrasive materials, and manufacturing applications engineering) • 100+ technical papers presented at professional conferences |
Fields of Expertise
metal surface grinding, grinding wheel, grinding (machining), creep-feed grinding, belt grinding, Abrasives, Grinding Technology, Vitrified Bonding, Superabrasives, cBN Grinding Wheels, Applications Engineering, Coated Abrasives, Camshaft Grinding, Crankshaft Grinding, diamond tooling, materials science, 3D printing, nanotechnology