Kathy W. Hylton
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
P.O. Box 2008
Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6075
Phone No.: (865) 574-0342
Email: hyltonkw@ornl.gov
Qualitifcations
Extensive experience in system engineering with an emphasis on working with multi-disciplinary teams to solve tough engineering problems.
Work History
1988 to present, Research and Development Engineer, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
2005-2006:
United States Enrichment Corporation’s (USEC) American centrifuge technology is based on U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) enrichment technology originally developed in the 1980’s, a proven, workable technology advanced by the DOE in the mid-1980s. This technology will be used to replace gaseous diffusion technology for uranium enrichment for the commercial nuclear industry. USEC plans to demonstrate and deploy what it expects will be the most efficient second generation uranium enrichment technology in the world. Played key role in the transfer of this critical energy technology to the private sector. Developed and implemented algorithms and software that were successfully used to balance centrifuges, culminating in the first USEC centrifuge to reach operating speed. One of a two-person team who implemented the methods and technologies required to balance these large centrifuges. Developed a technique for successfully calibrating the column that is used inside the centrifuges. Key player in the successful demonstration and deployment of centrifuge technology. Awarded an ORNL Significant Event Award for work on centrifuge project.
2003-2005:
The ORNL Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) team has a national reputation for expertise in RFID technology and was chosen by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to design and deploy a functional system for RFID enabled portals and conveyors at its two main distribution warehouses in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania (DDSP) and Tracy, California (DDJC). ORNL was selected to lead this effort to prepare the DLA to meet the DoD's RFID mandate because of our proven and thorough knowledge of the technology and capability to pull together a multi-discipline team to accomplish the goals of the implementation in a very short time-frame. Tasks included design/development of RFID reader system for reading RFID tags entering a portal, determining if all pallets were successfully read, and turning on a “go” or “no-go” light for operator feedback. Also reader evaluations were performed to determine best performing reader in a given snapshot of time. RFID system was also designed and deployed at the Navy port in Norfolk, VA. Efforts include serving a project manager for the Navy portion of the project. All tasks were completed in a very short time frame, on time, and under budget.
2000-2003:
Key participant in the development of next-generation semiconductor inspection equipment. nline, a venture capital startup company, worked with ORNL to develop a direct-to-digital holography device for measuring defects on semiconductors. Activities involved the design and development of algorithm for traversing a semiconductor wafer, moving controls to correct height for a given location, and calculating the defects. Project received a Significant Event Award from the Laboratory. Co-author on paper describing the technology.
1999 –2000:
In concert with National Sematech (a consortium of semiconductor manufacturers) conducted a survey with all key semiconductor manufacturers such as Intel, IBM, and AMD to determine the future technological advances needed for these manufacturers to meet their milestones on the technology roadmap developed at Sematech. This effort required substantial interaction with major players in the semiconductor industry. Much effort was placed into working with people, at their convenience, to help determine common needs among manufacturers. Wrote paper outlining the needs and paths forward to meet those needs.
1991-1998:
Engineer in the optics MODIL (Manufacturing Operations Development and Integration Laboratory) ion beam milling facility. Responsibilities included integrating control system, designing hardware and software, and designing experiments. Author of several papers which contain ion milling experiments and results. Also presented ion milling successes at the Division Information Meeting. Met award fee milestone a month early by successfully ion milling an optic for figure correction. Efforts led to promotion to project manager of the ion milling facility. Other activities included leader various tours through the facility. Provided information of DOE display for the World Standard Day exhibit in the Senate building in Washington, DC. Coordinated and manned exhibitor’s booth a the American Ceramic Society Conference and Exhibition. Nominated fore significant event award for successes achieve in ion beam milling technology. Nationally recognized for on beam milling achievements. Member of Technical Support Award selection committee for Martin Marietta Awards Night. Received Extra Mile Team Award. Won national Rising-Star Award from the Association for computing machinery. Served as the United Way division coordinator for the Instrumentation and Controls Division. Served as United Way group coordinator.
1989-1991:
Served as liaison between the Metal Preparation Division and Engineering Division for the automated O-Wing gantry project. Duties were expanded to include software and hardware development on the gantry cell control system. Worked on off-site assignment in Minnesota for 3 months. Task involved working at robotics company to alter functionality of robot to be installed at the Y-12 enriched uranium facility. Met award fee milestone for successfully bringing the O-Wing automated gantry control system on-line.
May 1988-1989:
Hired full time at Martin Marietta Energy Systems (ORNL) in May 1988. Involved in checkout and startup of the rotary hearth furnace system at the Y-12 facility. Efforts included troubleshooting a complex control system with over 200 I/O points and associated hardware. Equipment included a rotary hearth furnace, conveyors, load/unload tables, and a robot.
June 1986 to June 1987: June 1984 to June 1985:
Co-oped at Martin Marietta Energy Systems (ORNL) in the Process System Development and Research Support Group in the Instrumentation and Controls Division and the Computer Applications Department in the Engineering Division.
Education
B.S. in Computer Science, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville TN, March 1988.