Researcher of the Year|National award goes to ERDC scientist for nanotube work

Published 12:00 am Sunday, September 27, 2009

A senior scientist and research physicist in the Information Technology Laboratory at the Engineer Research and Development Center has been named the 2009 Researcher of the Year by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Dr. Charles R. “Bob” Welch received the honor for his work with carbon nanotube research. He was presented the national award at the Senior Leaders Summer Conference in July in Orlando. He was also named ERDC’s 2009 Researcher of the Year for the same work.

“It was very nice of them to give me this award,” said Welch, program manager for the carbon nanotube research. “There were a lot more people involved on this project than just me.”

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Dr. James Houston, ERDC’s director, said, “At ERDC we recognize that our people are our greatest asset, and Dr. Welch is a perfect example of that. He and the carbon nanotube team are developing materials for the future that we can barely comprehend today, but those materials will be of vital importance to our way of life in years to come.”

During the four-year research project, Welch and a team have used computer simulations to design carbon nanotube technology, the development of a super-strong building and protective material that is expected to revolutionize military and civilian building projects.

“Civil engineering and military engineering is about to change,” Welch said. “When you’re dealing with materials 10 times stronger than steel, bridges and roads become much stronger.”

No commercial products are currently being made from the material, but Welch said that could change in 10 to 20 years.

Welch has published more than 80 journal articles and technical reports. He has also given more than 60 presentations and lectures.

Welch has a bachelor’s degree in physics from Old Dominion University, a master’s in engineering mechanics from Mississippi State University and a doctorate in engineering mechanics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He possesses five patents and one pending.

Welch and his wife, Terry, live in Vicksburg and have four children and two grandchildren.

ERDC, an arm of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, maintains seven research facilities in four locations — Vicksburg; Hanover, N.H.; Champaign, Ill.; and Alexandria, Va. ERDC has more than 2,500 employees with an annual research program exceeding $1 billion. It conducts research in both military and civil works for the U.S. Department of Defense and the nation.

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Contact Manivanh Chanprasith at mchan@vicksburgpost.com