Wolfgang Knauss Young Investigator Award

This new award has recently been approved by the Society of Experimental Mechanics (SEM) with the support of its Time Dependent Materials Technical Division (TDM TD) and the Mechanics of Time Dependent Materials (MTDM) Journal and Conference. The award is a special achievement award for young investigators and has been named in honor of Professor Wolfgang G. Knauss, Theodore von Karman Professor of Aeronautics (Emeritus), California Institute of Technology.

The award will be given in recognition of an individual who has made significant research contributions to the broad field of experimental mechanics, with a focus on time dependent materials. For the purpose of this award, the broad field will encompass all areas of Mechanics (solid as well as fluid) and all fields of engineering and applied science that involve mechanics. Nominees for this award must not have reached their 40th birthday at the time of selection by the Award Committee. The award will be given at the biannual Mechanics of Time-Dependent Materials Conference, organized by jsem.jp, and the awardee(s) will present (a) special lecture at the MTDM conference and a track keynote at the SEM Annual Conference on odd numbered years.

The Wolfgang Knauss Young Investigator Award Committee will select the nominee for the Wolfgang Knauss Young Investigator Award. The Chair of the TDM Technical Division of SEM will be the Chair of the Wolfgang Knauss Young Investigator Award Committee.

 

The following nomination documents should be included in the nomination package:

• A curriculum vitae of the nominee (including the date of birth)
• A nomination form (can be obtained from award committee chair)
• Two letters of recommendation in support of the candidate

These documents should be sent to the award committee chair (MTDM TD Chair) in electronic format (PDF format is preferred). Recommendation letters can be sent to the award committee chair directly, but it is preferred that the nominator collects all the reference letters and includes them in the nomination package. Self-nomination is not permitted. Also, the nominator cannot provide a reference letter. A candidate can be nominated any number of times, but the nomination package will be considered for three years or until the end of eligibility.

If you have any questions concerning the application, please do not hesitate to contact (SEM).

 

Process:

The Chair of the MTDM TD is Chair of the selection committee and process.

Members of the MTDM Selection committee:

1. Igor Emri
2. Ken Liechti
3. Alex Arzoumanidis
4. Hongbing Lu
5. The current Chair of the MTDM TD

The winner for even years will receive nominations will be due on April 15th of the odd year. We can then get the letter out to the recipient in the July timeframe of the odd year and be sure that the TDM Technical Division has properly planned for the keynote slot within the planning for the even year conference. The winner will also be able to participate in the Call for Papers sent out in August.
 

Specifics:

• The award will be presented every 2 years
• The winner will offer a keynote lecture at the bi-annual MTDM meeting, which is held in even numbered years
• The award will be presented at the MTDM conference in even years
• The winner will present a keynote at the SEM Annual Conference (odd years)
• The award itself will be:
  • laser-etched acrylic
  • Image of Prof. Knauss as drawn by his son
• There will be no cash prize, but up to $6,000 is provided for:
  • travel to both conferences
  • conference fees
  • hotels
  • food during travel
  • These expenses will be reimbursed through the SEM
  • Need 100 word profile and photo for the SEM website sent to SEM

SEM will require two invoices to reimburse (1) the awardee expenses up to a $6,000 (must include contact details for the awardee) and, (2) to reimburse the cost of the crystal award.

Funds will be withdrawn from the WK endowment fund to support the award and expenses.