Goodwin Lecture

May 4, 2017, 4:00 PM
Jim and Sandy Hall Auditorium, 135 Gates-Thomas
Reception to follow in Room 235

The Lecture is in memory of David G. Goodwin, Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Applied Physics, Emeritus, who passed away on November 11, 2012. Professor Goodwin was best known for developing ways to grow thin films of high-purity diamond. Diamond films—transparent, scratch-resistant, and efficient dissipaters of the heat generated by high-powered computer chips—are now routinely used to protect electronic and optical components, and diamond-coated drill bits can be found at any hardware store.

The Lecture will be held annually and is made possible by the Division of Engineering and Applied Science and the support of family, friends and colleagues through donations to the David G. Goodwin Memorial Fund.

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Douglas Hart, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

An accident in an undergraduate class, casually disposed of in the sink, resulted in a minor explosion. What the terrified student unwittingly discovered turned out to be a inexpensive way to surface treat bulk aluminum allowing it to react with water at room temperature and produce hydrogen gas on demand. The result is one of the most energy dense, non-toxic, stable fuels known. Presented is the method for producing this fuel and research into how and why it works along with examples of power systems developed to utilize it.

Professor Douglas Hart MIT Skolkovo Foundation Professor of Mechanical Engineering. Doug serves as a technical advisor for numerous companies and professional organizations and has been involved in the commercial development of technologies ranging from satellite propulsion and unmanned drones to surgical robots. BSc U. of I., S.M. MIT, Ph.D. Caltech.