Dr. R. Bruce Thompson
Dr. R. Bruce Thompson received a B.S. degree in physics from Rice University in 1964 and a Ph.D. degree in applied physics from Stanford University in 1971. Before coming to ISU, Dr. Thompson led the Ultrasonic Applications Group at the Rockwell International Science Center. In 1980 Dr. Thompson came to ISU as a professor in the College of Engineering and as an Ames Laboratory scientist. He accepted the directorship of CNDE in 1997.
Research Interests
Dr. Thompson’s research interests fall in the area of ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation, with specialties in the analysis and development of noncontact sensors, characterization of material microstructure, development of theories for flaw response, and use of those theories to assess probability of flaw detection.
Awards & Recognitions
Dr. Thompson received the Roy Sharpe Prize from the British Institute for Nondestructive Testing and presented the President Honour Lecture for the British Institute for Nondestructive Testing in 2006. He has also presented the Fall Presidential Lecture at ISU in 2005 and the Lester Honor Lecture at the American Society for Nondestructive Testing in 2004. Dr. Thompson received the Sustained Excellence Award from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Research Council in 2007, the ASNT Tutorial Citation Award in 2006; the Distinguished Fellow Award from the Iowa Academy of Science in 2006, and the D. R. Boylan Eminent Faculty Award for Research in 2001. Dr. Thompson is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (2003) and a fellow of Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (1992).
