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Memorial Tributes Volume 1 (1979) / Chapter Skim
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Richard William Roberts
Pages 239-242

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From page 239...
... He quickly also became an internationally recognized authority in ultrahighvacuum science and technology and on the properties of atomically clean metals. Among his outstanding research achievements was his discovery of iodine-based lubricants for difficult-to-lubricate metals.
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From page 240...
... Within three years, he had become Research and Development Manager of Materials Science and Engineering, directing the efforts of 250 scientists and engineers. "Dick Roberts' achievements as a manager," a close associate has written, "grew out of his ability to motivate People." Another has r - - r noted, "He never started a conversation by telling me what he was doing; he always told me, with understandable pride, what his people were doing." Among his people's achievements during his five years' tenure were the first laboratory production of gem quality diamonds; unique cutting tools for machining space-age materials; new polymers and composites; a wide variety of medical diagnostic devices; and (anticipating the emergence of the energy crisis)
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From page 241...
... He was a member of numerous scientific and honorary societies, including Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi. His scientific and technical work resulted in over 70 papers and 3 U.S.
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From page 242...
... : ~ ~~ :: ::~::: :: :::: ::~: :::::::::: ::~:~ ~~ Air:; ~ : ::: :~ Aid: ~:~:~::~ ~~:::~:::~:~:~:~:~ ~:~ ~~:~:;~:~ ~~ ~~ ~~:~ :::::: :;~;~;~:~:~::::~::;~:~:~ : ::: ::: ~ ::::::::: ~~:~::~:::::::::.~::: : - I
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Key Terms

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  • reduce friction

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  • successive management
  • created energy
  • fivefold increase

  • nuclear energy
  • energy crisis
  • cutting tools
  • challenging period
  • film compounds

  • management positions
  • newly created
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  • significantly reduce
  • research magazine


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