Michael Valley, Ph.D., P.E.
Senior Manager, Materials Science R&D Group
Materials Science and Engineering Center
Sandia National Laboratories
mtvalle@sandia.gov
Abstract: Sandia seeks knowledge of materials structure, properties and performance and the processes to produce, transform, and analyze materials. To this end, Sandia’s Materials Science Research Foundation (MSRF) goal is to enable sound, science-based engineering judgments, and by innovating, to provide new materials and processes that enhance performance in diverse applications. Virtually every class of materials, including metals, polymers, glasses, ceramics, and electronic and optical materials, as well as their interfaces and their interactions with their environments, are critical to the safety, security, and effectiveness of technologies important to Sandia. MSRF promotes expertise across this broad spectrum of materials, encouraging collaborations with academia to conduct revolutionary research. MSRF is structured around four discipline areas: Structural (ductile, brittle) Materials, Soft (organic and biological) Materials, Electronic and Optical Materials, and Material Surfaces and Interfaces. This seminar will present a general overview of Sandia and its research portfolio, as well as discuss the research objectives of the MSRF disciplines, including key enablers such as computational materials and data analytics, materials characterization and diagnostics, and advanced/additive manufacturing. Sample research programs, including energy technologies and DOE Office of Science (BES, OE, EERE, AMO, etc.) sponsored research, will be discussed.
Biography: Dr. Michael Valley is the senior manager for the Materials Science R&D group, which is part of Sandia National Laboratories’ Material Science and Engineering Center. In this position, he shares responsibility to lead research endeavors that seek to explore and understand the foundational mechanisms and processes underlying material performance, reliability, and aging with an aim to develop and optimize advanced multifunctional materials and manufacturing technologies. He works across Sandia, with other government agencies, and with academic partners to coordinate, leverage, integrate, and apply an understanding of the structure, composition and properties of materials to develop better material solutions. Throughout his career he has provided international science and technology leadership. Highlights include Technical Director for the Joint U.S. – Former Soviet Union research collaboration in atmospheric sciences, US representative on a NATO Sensor and Technology Panel, Science and Technology Manager for various national security R&D programs, Investment Area Lead for a Sandia Lab Directed R&D program, and special projects officer for various worldwide Air Force test and evaluation launch vehicle and satellite programs. Prior to joining Sandia Labs, he was an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering department at New Mexico State University. Mike received a B.S. from the United States Air Force Academy (1980) and his M.S. (1987) and Ph.D. (1991) from New Mexico State University.
Sponsored by the Center for Sustainable Energy and the Colleges of Engineering and Science at the University of Notre Dame
Originally published at energy.nd.edu.