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Dr. Ali Abdul-Aziz is an administrator for the Materials Research Lab.

Applied general engineering practice in taking on duties in Management, and leadership roles and research, nondestructive evaluation (NDE), quality assurance, experimental testing, safety and compliance. Excellent background in materials characterizations and composites, structural analysis, finite element, experimentation and computer applications.

Professional Experience & Career Hightlights

Current activities

• Involve in developing laboratory classes which includes interacting with educational resources and vendors to acquire needed equipment and instrumentation that are in line with the curriculum offering.
• Assist in updating the current course road map of the Aerospace Program by offering advice, input and changes on the course syllabi and course descriptions to fulfill requirements of ABET Accreditation.
• Providing research support under a NASA Glenn Research Center funded contract; The focus of this project is the identification and development of structural health monitoring techniques related to conducting spin experiments on subscale turbine engine rotor like disks and performing analytical calculations to verify and correlate test results into meaningful relations in attempt to develop physics based model for crack detections methodology and support the need for advanced on-board detection & health monitoring. In addition, this task is to cover the work associated with the checkout, calibration, installation, and operation of the capacitive blade tip clearance and optical blade tip timing probes (light probes) required for the Boundary Layer Ingestion Test Program that is scheduled to occur in late FY2016.

Duel Post as Senior Research scientist, August 1985-August 2016

NASA Glenn Research Center, Optics and Photonics Branch, Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland State University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 1999-August 2016.

• Senior Research Associate, Ohio Aerospace Institute-NASA Glenn Research center, Cleveland, Ohio. Jan. 1998- Sept. 1999
• Senior Project Engineer, NASA Glenn Research Center/NYMA, Inc. Jan. 1994-Dec. 1997
• Senior Research Engineer, NASA Glenn Research Center/Sverdrup Technology, Inc. Aug.1988-Dec. 1993
• Part-time Faculty, College of Engineering, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio. Jan. 1986- March. 1991

Professional Activities, Management & Technical Leadership

Project Engineer

Wind Tunnel project responsible for the Boundary Layer Ingesting Inlet –Distortion Tolerant Fan (BLI2DTF) and spin rig testing support. Duties includes products design-ordering and identifying test phases, data collection, data analyses. Accountable for light and blade cap probes calibration, installation, functionalities and operation. Control project plan by reviewing design, specifications, and plan and schedule changes; recommending action. Confirms product performance by conducting tests.

Lead Research Scientist responsible for overseeing activities in the Rotordynamics Spin Rotor Test Facilities

Conducted applied research and supervise precision controlled spin tests that can facilitate the application of various sensing technologies for in situ detection of rotor damage. It included performing systematic evaluations of crack detection techniques through the implementation of highly controlled crack initiation and growth tests on subscale spinning rotors up to 46 cm (18 in.) and 15000 rpm under centrifugal force and motion mechanics loads. Collecting, analyzing and evaluating test data, update, improve maintain data acquisition system, develop supportive analytical finite models for studying deformation behavior of the disk in undamaged and damaged (i.e., notched) states. Assess potential for detecting damage based on virtual and experimental data.  Read More

Managed lab safety issues and compliance, safety permit, equipment maintenance, develops, promotes, and maintains safety standards, practices, and procedures including purchasing….etc.… Ensure that the laboratory meets full compliance with OSHA, NASA and other safety statutes, regulations, and directives. Write laboratory manual describing measures and controls for the safe operation of the facilities and protection of Center personnel and property.

Performed analytical studies and experimental durability and structural tests (Tensile and 4 Point bend) on advanced aerospace specimens, components and materials (CMC’S, EBC, TBC…) in support of various research tasks. This included studying the mechanical behavior of high temperature structural composites, ceramics, environmental-thermal barrier coatings (EBC-TBC), and super alloys under complex thermo-mechanical loading conditions, and the integration of related analytical software, conducting finite element analyses, thermal and structural, validating test data, and characterization of fatigue life models.

Performed nondestructive evaluation (NDE) research and quality checks and use specialized software for automating the generation of finite element and rapid prototyping models based on 3D imaging data sets as obtained from Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Imaging (MRI), Digital Correlation Image Camera (DIC) and Ultrasound. Utilize various NDE tools/software to visualize and segment regions of interest from any volumetric 3D data (e.g. MRI, CT, Micro. CT). Exploited and customized related software available i.e. ScanFE/ScanIP to enhance interpretation of NDE data and coordinate findings for better characterization of cycled tested aerospace components such as disks, blades, rings, flywheels etc.

Computer Expertise

Experience in most scientific computer software, such as, Sigma Plot, Microsoft Office, Windows etc…and Computer operating systems such as, UNIX, and PC's. Hand on knowledge and experience in using MARC, ANSYS Workbench finite element code, Solidworks, MSC/PATRAN Graphics, to Pre and Post Process finite element models for various geometries. Experience with ScanIP/FE image processing software, familiar with LabVIEW National Instruments.

Teaching Experience

• Part-Time Faculty (1/86 to 12/91): College of Engineering, Department of Engineering Technology, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio. Courses Taught: Thermodynamics I and II, Heat Transfer, Thermal Environmental Engineering
• Research and Teacher Assistant (6/80 to 8/85): Department Of Mechanical Engineering, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio
• Research assistant (1/82-6/85) worked under a cooperative agreement between NASA and Cleveland State University at the Fuel Cells Laboratory. Developed and designed an experimental research project to investigate the applicability of various cooling systems in phosphoric acid fuel cell power plants.

Mentoring and Partnering

• Actively involved in mentoring summer students including both college and high School students, as well as summer faculty fellows.
• Served on Awards, editorial committees (ASNT), software assurance, program committee and communications teams for International Society of Optical Engineers (SPIE) conferences.
• Held duties that included supervise visiting graduate interns from universities, direct, and set up work plans.
• Interacted-directed visiting universities faculty members and collaborated on conducting combined research activities.
• Planed seminars, Organized, chair technical sessions, setup discussion groups for presenting and reporting relevant findings.
• Additional assignments included evaluating research proposals and reviewing technical papers as well as directing visiting universities scholars.

Facilities Construction

Designed, constructed, and managed Spin laboratory at NASA.

Certifications, Honors and Additional Professional Activities

• Elected as Member Expert peer reviewer, The European Commission of Research and Innovation; Brussels, Belgium, April 2015-present
• Professional Engineer License, State of Ohio Seal # E-52686
• Fellow, American Society Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)
• Fellow, American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

As a principal investigator, received numerous awards throughout career, won 4 International Journal and branch articles of the year, recognition, appreciation, excellence, etc.

• Published over 170 articles/papers/NASA Technical Memorandum/Conference Proceedings, lectures, etc.)
• Presented at the SPIE conference in Portland, Oregon on March 27, 2017. 

Other duties pertaining to supporting research programs

Selected List: March 1999-present

• Aeronautical Science
• Intelligent Vehicle Health Monitoring (IVHM)
• Aviation Safety Program (AVSP).
• Striling Engine Technology and Heater Head Design
• High Operating Temperature Propulsion Components (HOTPC)
• Revolutionary Aero propulsion Concepts (RAC)
• Flywheel Energy Storage (FES), Reusable space launch (RLSV)
• High Temperature Structural Testing and Analytical Modeling Of Advanced Composite Materials
• High Speed Research Program (HSR)
• Enabling Propulsion Materials (EPM).
• Ultra Engine Efficient Technology (UEET)
• Space Shuttle Main Engine Durability (SSME)
• Hot Section Engine Technology (HOST)

Grants, Contracts, Awards

NASA Research Announcement (NRA): NNC07ZRP001N (Research and Technology Directorate), “Optical Instrumentation, Non-Destructive Evaluation, High Temperature Materials and Structures and Numerical Modeling for Advanced Aerospace Application”, July 2007-December 31, 2012. Total Amount Awarded $1,303,000.00

Co-Investigator with Professor S.N. Tewari; Awarded NASA Grant under announcement NNH06ZEA001N-Sup; Entitled” Impact Resistant Barrier Coatings for Si-Based Ceramics, SiC and Si2N4” January 2007-December-2009. Total amount awarded $619,608.00

Editorialship & Editorial Activities

• Associate Technical Editor, Editorial Board of the American Society of Non Destructive Testing (ASNT), Journal of Materials Evaluation, April 2006-present
• SPIE; international society for optics and photonics; Visiting Lecturer, April 2011-Present;
• Guest Technical Editor, January 2008, for the Journal of Materials Evaluation, Sponsored a Special Focus Issue on “Finite Element Analysis and NDT”, Volume 66-Issue 1, January 2008   Read More
• Guest Technical Editor, May 2005, for the Journal of Materials Evaluation, Sponsored a Special Focus Issue “on NDT of Ceramics”, Volume 64-Issue 1, January 2006
• Continuous Post; March 1999-present; Program Committee member and Multi-sessions Chairman, “NDE Of Materials And COMPOSITES”; SPIE’S-The International Society for Optical Engineering, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th , 11th etc…. and the upcoming 17th Annuals International Symposium on NDE and Health Monitoring of Aerospace Materials and Composites”, Portland, Oregon, March 1999-2017
• Peer Technical Reviewer; The American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM), Journal of Materials Evaluation, International Journal of Power and Energy Systems, Journal of Composite Materials, Materials Bulletin, Metallurgical Transactions, Advances in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Science and Technology, Journal of Aerospace and Computing, International Journal of Solids & Structures, journal of materials research innovations; ASTM-Journal of Testing and Evaluation, British Journal of Applied Technology, Engineering Fracture Mechanics, Enterprise Information System, Journal of Composites, Journal of Sensors, Materials, Materials Bulletin, Measurements, Mechanical system and signal Processing, Science Domain International, Machines, and many more. Also, Reviewer for NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Honors, Activities, Organizations

• Reviewer Recognition Certificate, Journal of Aerospace Science and Technology, Elsevier publications, September 27, 2016
• Received NASA Vehicle Integrated Propulsion Research (VIPR3) Project Group Achievement Award, August 31st, 2016
• Awarded Outstanding Reviewer Status! You are awarded this status as you are in the top 10th percentile in terms of the number of reviews completed for Journal of Composites Part B in the past two years. Elsevier publications, May 2015
• Awarded the prestigious membership grade “ASNT Fellow”, The America Society of Non Destructive Evaluation, April 2015
• Optics and Photonics Branch Paper of the year award, 2014
• Letter Of recognition, Materials Evaluation, November 2010   Read More
• Cited by the Optical Instrumentation and NDE Branch Chief for the effective and timely upgrades of the rotor dynamics high precision spin rig. August 2009
• Member of Materials Evaluation Journal Outstanding Paper of the year Award selection committee. Recommended paper was chosen for the 2008 outstanding paper award
• Letter of Recognition Being Prompt and Accurate Technical Reviewer from Metallurgical Transactions Editor, October 15, 2008
• NASA Certificate of Recognition Advanced Stirling Convertor Team, September 25th, 2008
• NASA Certificate of Appreciation, Educational Programs Office, July 23, 2008
• NASA Special Achievement/Act Group Award for exceptional performance in NDE for shuttle operations and for ARES welds under exploration and for in timely dissemination of information warrants recognition. August 15, 2007.
• NASA Glenn certificate of appreciation for outstanding contribution as a mentor to the 2007 Summer Internship Program. July 2007
• Awarded the prestigious membership grade “ASME Fellow”, The America Society of Mechanical Engineers, April 2005
• The American Society for Nondestructive Testing, Inc. 2003 ASNT Outstanding Paper Award for Materials Evaluation; Volume 60, Number 4, April 2002, ME
• Life Prediction Branch, NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field Paper of the Year Award, 2003
• NDE BEST Paper Award SPIE’S 6th Annual International Symposium on NDE for Health Monitoring and Diagnostics, New Port Beach, California, 4-8 March 2001
• NASA Glenn Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contribution as a Mentor to the 2002 College L.E.R.C.I.P Internship Program. Summer 2002
• Turning Goals into Reality” Award for outstanding contributions to Enabling Propulsion Materials Team and Exceptional progress toward Revolutionary Technology Leaps, October 10, 2000
• NASA Glenn certificate of appreciation for outstanding contribution as a mentor to the 1999 Summer Internship Program. August 1999
• Appreciation Award/Glenn educational and Research Collaborative Internship program, 1999
• Certificate of Appreciation for significant contributions toward achievement of the NASA High-Speed Research Program goals, 1999
• NASA High Speed Research (HSR) Program Phase I Award. November 1995
• United States Army Commendation for participating in the investigation of the thermal aspects involved in the life analyses of the Black Hawk Helicopter replacement parts. July 1994
• NASA-Lewis Team AWARENESS Award for Significant Contribution to the Advanced Earth-to-Orbit Propulsion Team project, August 1993
• Space Shuttle Main Engine Durability Team-NASA Group Achievement Award, June 1992
• NASA-Lewis Team AWARENESS Award For Significant Contribution on the HOST (Hot Section Engine Technology) Project, July1987
• Member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). (Since 1985), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). (Since 1988), and the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). (Since 1998). International Society of Optical Engineers (SPIE) (since 2000)

Patents/NASA Tec briefs

Ali Abdul-Aziz et al., NASA Case Number: LEW-18758-1, Titled: “Integrating Multiple Data-Driven Anomaly Detection Techniques with Real Test Data from a Spinning Turbine Engine Like Rotor;“ selected for publication in NASA’s Tech Briefs magazine, May 2, 2011