Theodore Martin Besmann

Education:

  • Ph.D., Nuclear Engineering and Solid State Science, Pennsylvania State University, 1976
  • M.S., Nuclear Engineering, Iowa State University, 1971 
  • B.E., Chemical Engineering, New York University, 1970

Research Experience:

  • 1985 to present – Head, Surface Processing and Mechanics Group, Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Supervise research of 6 scientists/engineers, 7 technicians, and several post-docs and students in preparation and properties of fuel cell materials, high-temperature composites, coatings, thermodynamics and wear behavior. Responsibilities also include acquiring funding and pursuing individual research. Funding level of $3 million.
  • 2000-2001 – Section Head, Ceramic Science and Technology Section, Metals and Ceramics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. While retaining my group leader role I also was line management for my section that included 5 other groups (~70 staff). Responsibilities included program development, staff development, strategic planning, management of R&D and office space, and ES&H oversight. The Section Head level of management was eliminated at ORNL in October of 2001 and I returned to my sole group leader function.
  • 1975 to 1979 and 1981 to 1985 – Development Staff, Chemical Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Performed research on high-temperature chemistry, coatings, and the chemical thermodynamics of energy-related systems.
  • 1979 to 1981 – Associate Director, ORNL National Energy Perspective. Directed development of the Laboratory's own view of U.S. energy futures which led to publication of the book A Desirable Energy Future.
  • 1972 to 1975 – Graduate assistantship and Ph.D. thesis research, The Materials Research Laboratory, The Pennsylvania State University. Performed research on chemical vapor deposition in the titanium-boron system.
  • 1971 to 1972 – Graduate assistantship, The Pennsylvania State University, Developed techniques for the neutron activation analysis of human hair and the production of Na18F for biomedical purposes.
  • 1970 to 1971 – M.S. thesis research, Iowa State University. Studied the changes in morphology of gamma-irradiated polyethylene.

Teaching Experience:

  • 2000 to present – Guest appointment to the Chemical Engineering Department, University of Florida
  • 1992 to present – Adjunct Professor, Materials Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee
  • 1990 – American Vacuum Society Workshop on "Chemical Vapor Technology"
  • 1988 – UCLA Short-Course in "Deposition Technologies"
  • 1979 – Associate Professor (part-time), University of Tennessee.

Publications Summary:

  • Over 100 refereed journal or proceedings papers and three book chapters. Review articles in Science, Bulletin of the American Ceramic Society, and the MRS Bulletin (2).
  • Five patents
  • Associate Editor of the Journal of the American Ceramic Society and Editorial Advisory Board member for Advanced Materials – CVD.
  • Editor of the three proceedings: Chemical Vapor Deposition of Refractory Metals and Ceramics, Materials Research Society, 1990; Chemical Vapor Deposition of Refractory Metals and Ceramics II, Materials Research Society, 1992; Chemical Vapor Deposition XIII, Electrochemical Society, 1996.
  • Coauthor of the book, A Desirable Energy Future, Franklin Institute Press, 1982
  • Complete Listing

Society/Conference Positions:

  • Chair year 2002 Gordon Conference on “High Temperature Materials, Processes, and Diagnostics”
  • Editor of “Chemical Vapor Deposition” proceedings series for the Electrochemical Society
  • Member of Council (1997-99), Materials Research Society
  • Vice President for Corporate Relations (1995-98), American Ceramic Society
  • Editor, Advanced Materials CVD
  • CoChair, Fall 1994 Meeting of the Materials Research Society
  • Chair, 13th International Conference on Chemical Vapor Deposition, 1996
  • Organizing Committee, "High Temperature Ceramic Matrix Composites" International Meetings
  • Past Division Chair, American Ceramic Society
  • Twice Symposium Chair, Materials Research Society

Awards/Appointments:

  • American Ceramic Society 2004 Spriggs Phase Equilibria Award
  • Federal Laboratory Consortium 2002 Excellence in Technology Transfer Award
  • 2002 U.S. Dept. of Energy National Laboratory Fuel Cell R&D Award
  • Fellow of the American Ceramic Society, 1990
  • Martin Marietta Energy Systems Technical Achievement Award, 1993
  • R&D-100 Award for "Fiber-Reinforced Ceramic Composite Fabrication," 1987
  • Significant Accomplishment Award, Materials Science and Technology Division, American Nuclear Society, 1985
  • American Nuclear Society Young Member Engineering Achievement Award, 1985
  • U.S. Department of Energy Award for Research in Materials Chemistry of Significant Implication for Energy Technology, 1983
  • Best Paper Award, Nuclear Division, American Ceramic Society, 1983
  • U.S. Representative to United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency 1979 Conference on the Thermodynamics of Nuclear Materials.
  • Recipient of U.S. Atomic Energy Commission Traineeship

 

Group Members

Surface Processing and Mechanics Group