University of Delaware
Office of Public Relations
UpDate - Vol. 16, No. 15, Dec. 19, 1996
Visiting prof. recognized with award at the White House

     Richard Cairncross, visiting assistant professor of
mechanical engineering, was one of 60 researchers to receive a
Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers at
the White House on Dec. 16.
     The Presidential Award, created last spring, is the highest
honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists
and engineers beginning independent careers.
     The awards are intended to recognize some of the finest
scientists and engineers who, while early in their research
careers, show exceptional potential for leadership on the
frontiers of scientific knowledge during the 21st century. The
awards foster innovative and far-reaching developments in science
and technology and highlight the importance of science and
technology for the nation's future.
     A native of Delaware and graduate of Concord High School,
Cairncross received the award from Jack Gibbons, director of the
U.S. Office of Science and Technology and science adviser to
President Bill Clinton. Along with other award recipients,
Cairncross took part in a symposium exploring science policy
issues before attending a celebratory reception at the White
House.
     Earlier this year, Cairncross received the Department of
Energy's Defense Program Award, which qualified him for
consideration for the Presidential Award. His original nomination
came from colleagues at the U.S. Department of Energy's Sandia
National Laboratory in Albuquerque, N.M., where he began the
postdoctoral work he is continuing at UD. With the award, Sandia
will continue to support his research for five years, and he will
receive a citation and a plaque.
     The award recognizes his "outstanding achievement in support
of the Department of Energy's national security mission through
the advancement of direct computational technology for
manufacturing processes of critical importance to the weapons
complex."
     Cairncross works in the area of fluid mechanics in materials
processing. His work involves using computers for large-scale
computation to predict where and how fluids will flow within
manufacturing processes.
     His work has applications for the production of chemically
derived ceramic membranes that exhibit changing properties as
they dry; for coating processes; and for mold filling of polymers
and solid rocket propellants.
     Cairncross earned a bachelor of science degree in chemical
engineering from the University of Rochester and his doctorate in
chemical engineering from the University of Minnesota. He has
been at the University of Delaware for a year.
                                             -Beth Thomas