Erik G Herbert

Bio

Erik is an experimentalist with extensive experience in the mechanical behavior of materials. His area of expertise is the development of structure-property-processing relationships informed by nano and micromechanical testing. Using state-of-the-art ambient, non-ambient, in-operando and in-situ mechanical testing platforms, his goal is to elucidate the complex coupling between the microstructure, its defects, and the mechanisms of action that control the mechanical behavior of metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and structured devices. Methodical, repeatable, verifiable, and hypothesis driven experiments are performed to fill critical knowledge gaps and identify key cause and effect relationships. The targeted outcomes are improved constitutive models that more accurately capture the dominant material physics and improved estimates of the inputs for modeling and design work. For Erik’s industrial partners, this translates directly into a competitive advantage in the marketplace by enabling more accurate simulations and minimizing the time required to develop successful products. 

Education

University of TN, Knoxville            Political Science and Business Admin.         B.A., 1992

University of TN, Knoxville            Materials Science and Engineering              M.S., 2006

University of TN, Knoxville            Materials Science and Engineering              Ph.D., 2008

University of TN, Knoxville            Materials Science and Engineering              Postdoctoral 2009-10

Trinity College Dublin                    Physics (nanoimprint lithography)               Visiting scientist 2009

Professional Experience

2023-current    Group Leader, Mechanical Properties & Mechanics, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Materials Science and Technology Division

2021-2022       Associate Professor, Michigan Technological University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Houghton, MI

2015-2021       Assistant Professor, Michigan Technological University, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Houghton, MI

2010-2014       Assistant Research Professor, University of Tennessee, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Knoxville, TN

2009-2010       Post-doctoral research associate, University of Tennessee, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Knoxville, TN

2009                Visiting Scientist, Centre for Research on Adaptive Nanostructures and Nanodevices (CRANN) at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

2008-2009       Staff Scientist, Research and Development, Agilent Technologies, Oak Ridge, TN

2007-2008       Staff Scientist, Research and Development, MTS Systems Corporation, Oak Ridge, TN

2003-2006       Manager, Analytical Services Laboratory, MTS Systems Corporation, Oak Ridge, TN

1998-2002       Applications Engineer, MTS Systems Corporation, Oak Ridge, TN

1997-1998       Laboratory Technician, Nano Instruments, Oak Ridge, TN

Publications