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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (February 21, 2005) – Southern Research Institute was recognized for its numerous engineering contributions to the state of Alabama and the field of engineering by being inducted into the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame (AEHoF) on Saturday, Feb. 19 at the 2005 Induction Ceremony held in Montgomery.
The AEHoF was established by the Governor of Alabama in 1987 to honor, preserve and perpetuate the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of individuals, projects and corporations/institutions that have brought and continue to bring significant recognition to the State of Alabama.
“The engineers at Southern Research have often played a pivotal role in some of the world’s most fascinating engineering accomplishments,” said Michael D. Johns, vice president of the Engineering Division at Southern Research Institute. “This recognition by the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame is a tremendous honor and a testament to the hard work, superior talent, and dedication to Southern Research Institute that our engineers, technicians and their predecessors have shown throughout our history.
“From our early engineering pioneers Coultas Pears, Sabert Olglesby, and Al Thomas, to our current group of leaders John Koenig, Steve Piccot, Stuart Starrett and Gary West, the Engineering Division is well positioned to continue our scientific success going forward,” Johns added.
Supporting Space Exploration and Defense
Southern Research has provided critical information leading to the selection of heat-shield materials used in the Apollo space mission. Working with NASA, engineers were able to use the extreme temperature testing facility at Southern Research – the leading facility of its kind – to submit materials for heat testing up to 5,000-degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme temperatures testing and analysis has become one of the Institute’s hallmark competencies, and is still used to test materials in support of the NASA Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters and heat shield programs, and many other manned and unmanned space vehicle platforms.
Institute engineers also developed the radiometer, used with a telescope to make temperature measurements of the moon’s surface and to select landing sites for manned missions. Southern Research also used graphite sensing elements to build several calorimeters to measure heating rates on various portions of the Saturn booster exit.
More recently, a Southern Research engineer served on the Committee investigating the Columbia Shuttle disaster, and the engineering team continues to work closely with NASA as it prepares for its return to flight mission now set for May 2005.
Engineers are also developing innovations in gimbal and stabilized platform systems development and manufacturing for such applications as high-definition image analysis and tracking for space vehicles. Teams are also developing and manufacturing innovative cutting-edge tracker designs for the U.S. manned space flight program. Southern Research also performs advanced high-temperature materials research on next generation reusable space launch vehicle platforms.
Helping to Make a Cleaner Environment
The Environment and Energy Department of Southern Research’s Engineering Division has provided environmental research and services to government, industry, and private institutions around the world. A primary focus of the department has been in developing better ways to reduce air pollution and solid waste emissions from energy and other sources. This work, much of it groundbreaking in nature, has led to the discovery of new emission species, the development of new test methods and instruments, the improvement of process and emission control technologies, the development of new emission control technologies, and other important contributions to the field of environmental science.
Continuing the Founding Mission
The automotive industry has moved south, and Southern Research continues its mission to help local industry by developing comprehensive automotive engineering capabilities. With decades of expertise in aerospace engineering, Southern Research engineers now serve as a local go-to resource for the growing automotive manufacturing industry in Alabama and the Southeastern United States.
“Our engineers are proud to conduct engineering research that helps to resolve global issues of safety, security, and a cleaner environment,” said Johns.
Learn more about Southern Research Institute and its engineering capabilities, or contact us for more information.