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Memorial Tributes Volume 21 (2017) / Chapter Skim
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HOWARD K. BIRNBAUM
Pages 30-35

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From page 31...
... ROBERTSON SUBMITTED BY THE NAE HOME SECRETARY HOWARD KENT BIRNBAUM, 73, emeritus professor of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and emeritus director of the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois, died January 23, 2005, in ­ hampaign. C He was known throughout the world for his pioneering contributions to the fundamental mechanisms controlling the m ­ echanical properties of metals and in particular for the discovery and development of the hydrogen-enhanced localized plasticity mechanism of hydrogen-induced degradation of materials.
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From page 32...
... Throughout his career, Howard was a champion of interdisciplinary research. This was exemplified in his leadership of the broad materials science and engineering community at Illinois as director of the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory, a position he held from 1987 until he retired from the University of Illinois in 1999.
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From page 33...
... For example, he was a member of the board of governors for Argonne National Laboratory and Acta Metallurgica, he served on advisory committees for the Advanced Photon Source at Argonne National Laboratory and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory at Stanford University, as well as on the APS, MRS, and ASM councils. Through these and many other activities Howard helped to shape the field of materials science and engineering both nationally and internationally.
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From page 34...
... As I think back to the events that brought me in contact with Howard and his family, I feel very fortunate to have had the privilege of having had such a mentor and friend. Petros Sofronis, who was mentored by Howard during his graduate days and throughout his career, recalled that "every meeting I had with him turned into an instructive and exciting tutorial session spanning the disciplines of materials science and solid mechanics.
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  • sybil licht
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  • mechanisms controlling


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