Personal introduction of material master Alan Arnold GriffithPPT
Alan Arnold Griffith was a British materials scientist and engineer, born in ...
Alan Arnold Griffith was a British materials scientist and engineer, born in the United Kingdom in 1902. He was an early exponent of the use of physical metallurgy principles in materials selection and engineering design, and is considered one of the founders of the modern field of materials science and engineering.EducationAlan Griffith received his undergraduate degree in physics and his master's degree in physics and metallurgy from the University of Manchester. In 1926, he received a Ph.D. degree from the Department of Physics at the University of Birmingham for his research on the crystal structure of nickel and nickel-iron alloys.Professional careerAfter receiving his doctoral degree, Griffith joined the staff of the University of Birmingham as a lecturer in metallurgy. He remained at the university until 1937, during which time he conducted fundamental research on the physical metallurgy of alloys, including nickel-iron alloys, copper-tin alloys, and aluminum alloys. He also developed an understanding of phase diagrams and their importance in understanding alloys behavior.Government serviceIn 1937, Griffith left the University of Birmingham to join the government's Scientific Advisory Committee on Explosives (SACE), where he began his long career in government service. He remained with SACE until 1946, serving as its chief scientist during World War II. His work involved research on the physical properties of materials important for ordnance applications, including the behavior of high explosives and their containment and safety measures.Atomic Energy Research EstablishmentIn 1946, Griffith was transferred to the Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE) at Harwell, England, where he became head of the Metallurgy Division. His responsibilities included research on radiation damage in metals and alloys, radiation-induced phase transformations, and the radiation behavior of materials used in nuclear reactors. He also played a leading role in establishing a strong link between materials science and nuclear energy technology.Return to universityIn 1957, Griffith returned to the faculty of the University of Birmingham as professor of materials science and head of its Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science. He remained at the university until his retirement in 1970. During this period, he continued his research on phase transformations and other aspects of physical metallurgy, while also establishing one of the first courses in materials science taught in English universities. He also authored or co-authored three books: The Metallurgy of Steels (1963), The Properties of Steels (1965), and The Properties of Wrought Iron and Steel (1968).Post-retirement activitiesAfter his retirement from the University of Birmingham, Griffith continued to be active in various professional organizations and activities. He was an early proponent of using computers in materials science and engineering calculations and authored a number of articles on this topic. He also served as a visiting professor at several universities in Europe and Japan. In recognition of his contributions to materials science and engineering, he was awarded numerous honors, including Fellowships of the Royal Academy of Sciences (both the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of London) and the Institute of Metals.