 Dr.
J. Richard Elliott, Jr., professor of Chemical
Engineering, and this year’s recipient of the 2003
Outstanding Researcher of the Year Award, says that the
importance of research in
engineering education should not be underestimated.
“Accountants have the CPA exam. Lawyers have to pass
the bar exam. High school students have proficiency exams.
Engineering professors write papers and proposals,” he
said. “Each time a paper or proposal is accepted, it
validates that the professor is in touch with the latest
technology. Moreover, it does so in a way that is more constructive
and creative than writing or grading exams.”
Dr. Elliott’s research centers on making molecular
modeling an integral part of chemical engineering design.
When you can analyze the molecular mechanisms underlying
novel research problems, you can eliminate misconceptions
based on past empiricisms. Since atoms and molecules are
roughly one nanometer in diameter, molecular engineering
must become an integral part of the engineering that supports
research in nanotechnology. Based on their latest efforts,
researchers can conceive a new molecule on Monday, molecularly
simulate its properties by Thursday, put the results into
the chemical process simulator on Friday, and be making (virtually)
kilotons per hour by Friday evening.
Since joining the University in 1986, Dr. Elliott’s
research has generated more than $2.3 million. His primary
investors have been the Ohio Board of Regents Investment
Fund and the National Science Foundation; however, he has
received additional backing from B.P. America, Ohio Aerospace
Institute, NIST, ChemStations Inc., and the Norton Chemical
Process Corp.
He holds a patent in “Microcellular Foams” (1992)
and is the author/co-author of 42 publications in archival
journals and refereed books. He is also the lead author on “Introductory
Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics,” a textbook published
by Prentice-Hall in 1999. Through this text, The University
of Akron is setting the standard for students at Michigan
State, University of Michigan, Purdue, University of Wisconsin,
Notre Dame, Texas A&M, University of Texas, and UCLA.
Dr. Elliott has presented 12 invited seminars.
In the classroom, Dr. Elliott specializes in thermodynamics,
teaching such classes as Classical Thermodynamics, Equilibrium
Thermodynamics, and Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics,
and others.
His research also carries over into the classroom where
he encourages his students to continually be aware of their
surroundings.
“You never know when a new idea will come along that
really works out,” he says. “You need to work
really hard on wrapping up the obvious work at hand, and
keep scouting for the new idea, so you will be read when
that new idea arrives.”
Dr. Elliott says it is his students who make winning this
award the most meaningful. “I have worked very hard
for many years, but helps a lot when people notice,” he
said. “I feel I owe a lot to my graduate students.
The group I have now is the best ever.”
He has directed seven doctorate, 11 master’s theses
and 12 honors students and undergraduate research theses.
He said he has always been intrigued by engineering. When
asked why he chose engineering as a profession, he replied, “One
of my favorite quotes by Lord Kelvin. ‘When you can
measure when you are speaking about, and express it in numbers,
you know what you are talking about. All else is meager and
unsatisfactory.’ Engineers understand this.”
Dr. Elliott earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Math/Chemistry
from Newport College in 1980 and his master’s of science
and doctorate degrees in Chemical Engineering from Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University, and The Pennsylvania
State University, in 1982 and 1985, respectively.
At the college level, Dr. Elliott chairs the Graduate Curriculum
Committee and has served on the Graduate Curriculum Committee,
the Computer Planning and Coordination Committee, and others.
In 1994, he served one year as a Fulbright Senior Lecturer
in Chemical Engineering in Turkey. In 19996, he was elected
as the college representative to the President’s Advisory
Committee.
University-wide, he serves on the advisory committee to
the campus bookstore and the committee for day care planning.
Past service includes the original Interim Budget Advisory
Committee (the predecessor of the Budget Planning and Coordination
Committee), the President’s advisory committee, the
Library subcommittee for the Chemistry Department, and the
Faculty Senate ad-hoc subcommittee for review of salaries.
In addition to the University, Dr. Elliott serves on a number
of professional committees. He has been session chair at
several AIChE National meetings and has organized the 1990
Midwest Thermodynamics Symposium. In addition, he has worked
as a reviewer for both journals and funding agencies and
has done consulting work for Avery-Dennison and ChemStations.
Dr. Elliott’s spare time is focused on family. He
and his wife, Guliz, have two daughters. He says
because his “social director” is of Turkish descent,
a lot of their time is spent with other Turkish-American
families. Among the family’s activities is dancing
with the Turkish Folklore Group at the state fair. In addition,
Dr. Elliot is also active in the Nordonia Hills Public Education
System and the Longwood Y-Indian Princess program.
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