UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 23, Page 3
March 9, 1995
Alumni return to campus as researchers, liaison personnel

     In 1988, 1st Lt. Bruce K. Fink-selected for fully funded civil
schooling by the U.S. Army Engineering Branch-began working toward a
doctoral degree in materials science at the University of Delaware.
     Three years later, Fink had earned both a promotion and a
doctorate. Co-advised by Center for Composite Materials affiliated
faculty Roy L. McCullough and John W. Gillespie Jr., Capt. Fink
completed his dissertation research on induction welding of carbon-
fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites in 1991.
     Now a civilian employee of the Army, Fink is in residence at the
center conducting research for the Composites Development Branch of
the Army Research Laboratory's Materials Directorate (ARL-MD). One of
his formal duties is to serve as "forward liaison" for ARL-MD during
the transition from Massachusetts to the Delaware/Maryland area (see
accompanying story).
     Fink's work at the center focuses on two main areas: flow
monitoring and sensing for the resin transfer molding process and
invesigating the effect of elevated temperature exposure on the
properties of composites processed using the center's robotic tow-
placement workstation. He currently is chairing focus groups in these
two areas; both groups-which include faculty, students and industrial
representatives-meet biweekly to share results and discuss cross-
disciplinary research issues.
     "One goal in having me here is to help develop a true
collaboration between the Materials Directorate and the University of
Delaware," Fink said, "as well as to help ARL develop the kind of
'roots' in this area that were established in Massachusetts."
     "Bruce's presence at the center has greatly facilitated
collaborations with key Army researchers," McCullough said. "He
interacts with faculty and students and provides stimulating ideas.
His knowledge of the center has allowed him to establish effective
working relationships that can serve as a model for future Army
interactions."
     Fink is not the only University alumnus to offer the center a
continuing connection with the Army. Travis A. Bogetti, Delaware '90
Ph.D., completed his doctoral work in mechanical engineering on a
fellowship through CCM's Army Research Office/University Research
Initiative (ARO/URI) program. Advised by Gillespie, Bogetti focused
his research on cure and residual stress development in thick-section
thermosetting composites. Now an ARL employee, he is collaborating
with Gillespie in several research areas, including thick-section
design and analysis, simulation and design of mine-blast-resistant
sandwich structures and the effect of hydrostatic pressure on failure
of wrapped concrete columns for infrastructure rehabilitation.
     "As former adviser to both Bruce and Travis," Gillespie said ,
"it is very gratifying for me to see both of them successfully
transitioned to the Army and in a position where we can continue the
collaboration initiated when they were students here at CCM."
                                                         -Diane Kukich