Over 70 scientists, researchers, and support personnel perform applied research, product development, and testing in a wide variety of physical and organic sciences. TRI Austin’s areas of recognized technical expertise include: materials science, composite materials and products, environmentally compliant alternative material development, adhesives, polymer science, coatings, nondestructive testing, accelerated life testing, reliability engineering, and specialized instrument development. TRI Austin performs contract research and development, and product development for DOD, other government and private industry, as well as operating certification testing laboratories for compressed air, geosynthetics and protective clothing.
Dr. Michael Dingus
Vice President and Technical Director
Dr. Dingus has over 30 years experience in Applied Physics, Materials Science, Business Development, Product Development, Intellectual Property Development, and Technology Transition. He has a Ph.D. and M.A. in Physics from Duke University and a B.A. in College Scholars Studies with Concentration in Physics from the University of Tennessee. Dr. Dingus joined TRI as a Senior Project Scientist in 1994 and became the Vice President and Technical Director in 1999. In January of 2016, Dr. Dingus accepted the Tibbetts Award to TRI Austin for firms or projects that made a visible technological impact on the socio-economic front and exemplify the very best in Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) achievements.
Patents
- Chemically and biologically resistant hydration system (USP #8,166,969)
- Non-Toxic Lead Substitute (USP # 6,048,379)
- Decontamination Aid for Hazardous Material Responder Protective Clothing (USP # 5,670,469)
- Perforated Plate Technology for Filters, Injectors, Catalyst Reactors, and Spinnerets (USP #5,510,194)
Honors
- Phi Beta Kappa, University of Tennessee College Scholars’ Program
Recent Publications
- Army 2017 SBIR Commercialization Success Story – ecoMASS® non-toxic lead substitute – P.33
- Interview for “While the Nation Slept – The Struggle of Small Innovative Businesses in the U.S.”, by David Metzger, Mascot Books, Sept. 2016, pp 213-215 and 241-243.
- Interview in “SBIR at the Department of Defense”, National Research Council of the National Academies, The National Academies Press, 2014, pp 378-385.
- “TRI SBIR Transitions” – Invited presentation, 2014 National SBIR Conference, Austin, TX.
Robert Brushaber
Engineering Division Director
Mr. Brushaber joined TRI Austin, Inc. in 2003 as a mechanical engineer focused on advanced composite structure technology development and transition. He has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin. His interests include high performance, multi-functional polymer matrix composites and nano-composites. He is experienced in metallic and composite product engineering; finite element analysis; product development; structural testing methodology, including: static loads, shock, vibration, thermal, environmental screening, and non-destructive testing. He is experienced with various composite manufacturing methods such as pultrusion, hand lay-up, compression molding, resin transfer molding (RTM), vacuum assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) and filament winding. He performs material and manufacturing trade off studies using thermal, dynamic and static structural analysis and classical hand calculations on composite structures.
Patents
- Tire Deformation Sensor and Tire Inflation System (US Patent # 9,588,019 B2)
Cindy Hines
ARTEC Division Director
Cindy Hines joined TRI in 1994. Cindy began her career with TRI Environmental in the Protective Clothing Division working in the Permeation Lab, then managing the Physical Properties lab. Cindy moved over to the ARTEC division in 1998. Throughout the years her expertise in materials development, forensic evaluation of materials, new product design, and project management, Cindy assumed program management responsibilities is now the Director of the ARTEC Division.
Doyle Motes
Non Destructive Evaluation Division Director
Doyle Motes joined TRI Austin in 2010. Prior to this he was a research engineer with the University of Texas at Austin designing and testing high voltage and high current electromagnetic systems. He received a BS in Mechanical Engineering in 2005 and an MS in Mechanical Engineering in 2008, both from the University of Texas at Austin. His expertise includes CAD design, engineering analysis, finite element analysis, manufacturing, metallurgy, project management, additive manufacturing, and ultrasonic, microwave, and eddy current nondestructive inspection/evaluation. Mr. Motes is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Texas (PE 120541, Mechanical) and has a number of publications in a wide variety of venues.
Patents
- Motes , D. T., & Zielinski, A., U.S. Patent 9,360, 285., 2016.
Vince Newton
Business Development & Technology Transition Director
Located in the Washington DC area, Mr. Newton has over 20 years’ experience in successful business development, product development, and commercialization/technology transition. His experience includes license agreements, joint ventures, sales distribution, and direct sales and marketing to both government and commercial customers.