May 31, 2023 — Dr. Thomas E. Briggs, an Institute engineer in Southwest Research Institute’s Powertrain Engineering Division, has received the Forest R. McFarland Award by SAE International, an organization that works to advance mobility, knowledge and solutions for humanity’s benefit.
Established in 1979, the award serves to honor the late Forest R. McFarland, a long-time SAE International member, for his many contributions to the organization. The award recognizes outstanding contributions by volunteers who further the goals of SAE International events in planning, development and dissemination of technical information. Briggs received the award, in part, because of his support and work as associate editor of the SAE International Journal of Engines.
Over the years, Briggs has served as chair, moderator and panelist at many SAE International events. He recently helped organize and chair a multiday session about experimental work in the field of fuel injection and sprays at the SAE International World Congress Experience (WCX™), held April 17-20, in Detroit. He also shared a presentation on the potential of hydrogen engines and moderated a panel discussing the viability of different mobility decarbonization pathways.
“It was a pleasure to receive the award from SAE for my service as an associate editor and meeting session organizer,” Briggs said. “I appreciate the support that SwRI gives its staff to participate in professional societies and to support their meetings and activities.”
Briggs has been active in internal combustion research and development for nearly 30 years, joining the SwRI staff in 2011. He specializes in combustion and alternative fuels, ignition systems and computational modeling. He was promoted to Institute engineer, the highest technical level at SwRI, in 2023.
Briggs received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in agricultural engineering, both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has authored more than 45 papers and presentations on his research, and he holds six patents on engine technologies. He is a member of SAE International and the Combustion Institute.
For more information, visit Powertrain Engineering or contact Jesús Chávez at +1 210 522 2258, Communications Department, Southwest Research Institute, 6220 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78238-5166.