Kenneth W. Miller, Ph.D., P.E.
101 Engineering and Computing Center
720 Fourth Avenue South
St. Cloud State University
St. Cloud, MN 56301-4498
kwmiller@stcloudstate.edu

EDUCATION

University of South Carolina Columbia, SC

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering August 2000
Dissertation: Impact Strength and Failure Mechanisms of Spot Welds in Automotive Materials

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering December 1991
Thesis: Dynamic Analysis of Off-Road Motorcycles for Suspension Adjustments

Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering June 1979

WORK EXPERIENCE

St. Cloud State University St. Cloud, MN
Assistant Professor Since August 2001

• Graduate director for M.S. M.E. program
• Supervision of senior design groups
• Director for ABET Review
• Development of a Thermal Sciences teaching laboratory
• Faculty advisor for ASME student section

Teaching experience includes

• Engineering Thermodynamics (MME 300)
• Fluid Mechanics (MME 301)
• Heat Transfer (MME 302)
• Engineering Materials Processing I and II (MME 330 and 331)
• Senior Design (MME 481)
• Thermal Science in Materials Processing (MME 601)
  

University of South Carolina Columbia, SC
Visiting Assistant Professor August 2000 to August 2001

• Performing spot weld research. This ongoing program includes testing the strength of resistance spot welds and friction stir welds in static and dynamic conditions.
• Development of fixtures, instrumentation, and procedures for impact testing equipment, including a drop-weight tower, air-gun, and instrumented pendulum
• Supervision and maintenance of the department metrology lab
• Teaching experience includes:
• Statics (ENGR 200)
• Introduction to the Mechanics of Solids (ENGR 260)
• Fluid Mechanics (ENGR 360)
• Measurements and Instrumentation (EMCH 361)
• Control Theory (EMCH 561)

University of South Carolina Columbia, SC
Research Assistant August 1995 to August 2000

• Performing spot weld research program. This ongoing program includes modeling and testing the strength of the weld in static and dynamic conditions.
• Creating a dynamic testing laboratory at the University of South Carolina. This includes the design and construction of:
  • an air gun to supply impact speeds up to 200 MPH
  • an impact fixture for the air gun to perform tensile tests of sheet materials and welds
  • a set of Kolsky Bars (Split Hopkinson Pressure Bars) in configurations for compressive and tensile tests
• Other significant aspects of the laboratory are:
  • modification of a Charpy Pendulum tester for instrumented tensile tests
  • specification of transducers and instrumentation for the dynamic test equipment
• Creating FEM models of spot welds for dynamic analysis using ABAQUS and DYNA-3D

University of South Carolina Columbia, SC
Teaching Assistant August 1994 to December 1999

• Taught Measurements and Instrumentation (EMCH 361) for 8 semesters since August 1995. This sophomore-level class (averaging 30 students per semester) is required for Mechanical Engineering students.
• Taught Control Theory (EMCH 561) for the Summer Semester 1996 . This senior- and graduate-level course was taught in a combination classroom and videotape format for both on- and off-campus students.
• Laboratory assistant for Measurements and Instrumentation (EMCH 361) from August 1994 to May 1995 (2 semesters).
• Laboratory assistant for Fundamentals of Microprocessors (EMCH 367) from August 1994 to May 1995. This is a required sophomore-level class.

General Motors Research Corporation Warren, MI
Engineering Intern May to August 1995

• Analyzed and reported on impact test data from vendor for modeling crash-worthiness of automobiles
• Generated finite element model of impact loading using ABAQUS
• Evaluated fracture surfaces with SEM

Michelin Americas Research Corporation Laurens, SC
Test Engineer 1991 to 1994

• Examined and summarized analytical tire test results
• Managed off-site analytical tire testing for non-standard test requests
• Planned, supervised, and analyzed snow and ice traction testing at winter test site
• Administered Michelin's participation in the tire industry uniformity program
• Selected materials for test surface repaving program and supervised surface preparation
• Maintained and updated data acquisition hardware and software for test vehicles

Michelin Tire Corporation Greenville, SC
Mechanical Engineer 1979 to 1991

• Participated in CAD / CAM system selection and development for tooling design and machining for international operations
• Directed American group for development of international modeling and machining standards for production tooling, including international assignments for coordination of activities between the American and European groups
• Selected tooling and planned implementation of 6-axis machining center
• Developed software for coordinate measuring machine

REGISTRATION

• Licensed as a Professional Engineer in Minnesota
• Licensed as a Professional Engineer in South Carolina

PUBLICATIONS

• Miller, K W, Y J Chao, and P C Wang, "Impact Characteristics of Resistance Spot Welded Galvanized SAE 1008." General Motors Research and Development Center Internal (2000)
• Chao, Yuh J, Yang Wang, and Kenneth W Miller, "Friction Stir Welding Effects on Dynamic Properties of AA2024-T3 and Aa7075-T7351." Welding Journal. 80.08 (2001)
• Miller, K W, and J S Lyons, "Casting and Phase Diagram for Aluminum-Copper Alloys." Journal of Materials Education 18.3 (1996)

PRESENTATIONS

• Miller, K.W., Y. J. Chao, A. Martinez, X. Zhu, S. Liu, P. C. Wang, "Quasi-Static and Impact Strength of Fatigue Damaged Spot Welds", Accepted for SAE International Conference (March 2003)
• Miller, K.W., Y. J. Chao, and Alexander Martinez, "Quasi-Static and Impact Strength Of Spot Welds In Used Vehicles", SEM Annual Conference, Milwaukee, WI (June 2002)
• Miller, Kenneth W., Jamil Khan, and Mir Zahedul Huq Khandkar, "Evaluation of Celotex for Shock Protection of Pressure Vessels." ASME International Piping and Pressure Vessel Conference, Atlanta, GA (July 2001)
• Khan, Jamil A, Yuh-Jin Chao, and Lijun Xu, "Modeling and Simulation of Resistance Spot Welding Process for Al-Alloy." AWS International Sheet Metal Welding Conference IX. Detroit, MI (October 2000)
• Miller, K W, Y J Chao, and P C Wang, "Spot-Weld Strength of Multiple Welds." SAE International Bodywork Engineering Conference, Detroit, MI (October 2000)
• Miller, Kenneth W, Y J Chao, and P C Wang, "A Comparison of Testing Techniques for Spot Weld Strength." AWS International Sheet Metal Welding Conference IX, Detroit, MI (October 2000)
• Duncan, A J, et al., "Development of Mechanical Properties Database of A285 Steel for Structural Analysis of Waste Tanks." 32nd National Symposium (June 2000)
• Duncan, A J, et al. "J-Integral Fracture Toughness Testing and Correlation to the Microstructure of A285 Steel for Fracture Analysis of Storage Tanks." ASME Piping and Pressure Vessel Conference, Atlanta, GA (July 2000)
• Miller, Kenneth W, Y J Chao, and P C Wang, "The Effect of Loading Rate on the Failure Mode of Spot Welded Lap-Shear Joints." SEM Annual Conference on Theoretical, Experimental and Computational Mechanics, Cincinnati, OH (May 1999) - 3rd place in student paper competition
• Chao, Y J, et al. "Accelerator Production of Tritium Materials Degradation, Fracture Mechanics and System Performance." Department of Energy Accelerator Production of Tritium Conference, Albuquerque, NM, (October 1999)
• Miller, K W, Y J Chao, and P C Wang, "Performance Comparison of Spot-Welded, Adhesive Bonded and Self-Piercing Riveted Aluminum Joints." ASM 5th International Conference on Trends in Welding Research, Pine Mountain, GA (June 1998)
• Chao, Y J, K W Miller, and P C Wang, "An Investigation of Static and Dynamic Strength of Structural Joints." Taiwan International Welding Conference on Technology Advancements and New Industrial Applications in Welding. Taiwan, ROC (May 1998)
• Miller, Kenneth W, and Yuh J Chao, "Development of an Impact Tester for Studying the Dynamic Strength of Structural Joints." SEM Annual Conference, Seattle, WA (May 1997)
  

GRANTS AND AWARDS

• University Researchers Grant - St. Cloud State University, 2002, $3,300.00
• Faclulty Development Grant, St. Cloud State University, 2002, $620.00
• Outstanding Graduate Student - Department of Mechanical Engineering, 1998 - 1999 school year
• Industrial Graduate Research Training Grant, 1997 - 1998, $22,000 per year
• National Science Foundation Grant for Undergraduate Course on Instrumentation, May 1998, $20,000
• NASA Space Grant, 1995-1996, 1996-1997, and 1997-1998, $5,000 per school year
  

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (former chairman and vice-chairman of Greenville, SC Section)

American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers

American Society for Engineering Education

American Society for Testing and Materials

American Welding Society

Society of Automotive Engineers

Society of Experimental Mechanics