Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) News
Printer Friendly VersionWalker named Institute scientist at Southwest Research Institute
San Antonio - April 4, 2008 - Dr. James D. Walker has been promoted to Institute scientist in the Mechanical and Materials Engineering Division at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). The rank of Institute scientist, engineer or analyst is the highest technical position an SwRI staff member can attain.
Walker joined SwRI in 1988 as a postdoctoral fellow after completing his doctorate in mathematics at the University of Utah.
Walker's research efforts have focused on the mechanical response of a variety of systems and materials to impact loads.
Specifically, he has modeled the penetration of projectiles into metal armors. The model, known as the Walker-Anderson model, is used widely to study armor penetration. He also has developed models for the penetration and perforation of ceramics, for ceramic tiles backed by substrates and for the ballistic limit of fabrics. Armor studies range from vests worn by soldiers and police officers to design for ground vehicles, the space station and satellites. Recent work is in armoring military vehicles against the range of threats in the Middle East.
In 2003, Walker and SwRI colleagues were part of a team that helped the Columbia Accident Investigation Board determine the cause of the loss of the space shuttle Columbia. Walker authored the chapter "Impact Modeling" in the Report of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. He also performed studies in support of the space shuttle return-to-flight program and the New Horizons mission to Pluto. He led the development of impact models that are baselined as critical math models in the space shuttle program and were instrumental in performing the risk assessment required for the space shuttle's return to flight.
Walker is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, and is the winner of best paper, best poster and best presentation awards. Of note, he was recognized as one the "Brilliant 10" scientists to watch by Popular Science magazine. In 2005, he received the Holley Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for his work in support of the Columbia accident investigation. He also has been part of teams that received NASA Group Achievement Awards for work on various aspects of the space shuttle return-to-flight program.
The author of more than 100 papers and publications, Walker holds bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in mathematics from the University of Utah. Walker is an adjunct faculty member at The University of Texas at San Antonio where he teaches graduate courses in mechanical engineering and mathematics.
He is a member of several professional engineering and scientific societies including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. He has served as local section chair of AIAA and chair of the AIAA Weapon System Effective Technical Committee; currently serves on the national AIAA Board of Directors as director of Region IV (south central United States); and is an AIAA Distinguished Lecturer. Walker is also on the Board of Directors of the Hypervelocity Impact Society.
Editors: A photo for James D. Walker is available at http://www.swri.org/press/2008/Walker.htm.
For more information contact Tracey M.S. Whelan at (210) 522-2256, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, PO Drawer 28510, San Antonio, TX 78228-0510.
