SwRI’s Dr. Sergey Vinogradov to receive Ward Rummel Engineering Excellence Award

SAN ANTONIO — July 30, 2024 —SwRI’s Dr. Sergey Vinogradov has been named the recipient of the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Ward Rummel Engineering Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding sustained contributions in nondestructive testing (NDT) by a single individual. NDT, also known as nondestructive evaluation (NDE), uses technology to evaluate and inspect materials and components for safety and reliability without damaging them.

“Dr. Vinogradov pioneered using magnetostrictive transducer technology in NDE applications, developing the original designs as well as producing countless custom applications of this technology,” said Dr. Adam Cobb, manager of SwRI’s Sensor Systems and NDE Technology Section. “He has a long history of not only delivering cutting-edge research and novel products, but also serving as an advocate and leader in the field of guided wave testing. Through his efforts, the world is a safer place.”

Vinogradov has more than 33 years of experience developing advanced NDE techniques. He has master’s and doctorate degrees in mechanical engineering from the Obninsk Institute of Atomic Energy at the National Research Nuclear University in Russia. He joined SwRI in 2011 and has specialized in developing guided wave technology, sensors and procedures utilizing magnetostrictive transducers (MsT).

“I’m honored to be recognized by the ASNT, and to be placed in such remarkable company with the many extraordinary engineers who have received this award,” Vinogradov said.

Vinogradov also studies the structural health monitoring of components, particularly at high temperatures, and recently developed MsT probes that can perform high-frequency testing to identify potential material flaws in aircraft fuselages, buried anchor rods and electrical poles. He is the author of 76 published papers on NDT-related research and holds 15 patents in the United States as well as 20 in Russia.

He has been a member of the ASNT since 2011. In 2018, he received the ASNT Donald O. Thompson Research Recognition for Innovation Award, which recognizes highly distinguished individual breakthroughs in research in the field of NDE and NDT within the past five years. He also serves on the ASNT Teacher and Education Certification Council, Engineering Council and as the vice chair of the Guided Wave Committee.

The Engineering Excellence Award was named in honor of Ward D. Rummel for his pioneering work in NDT engineering, the creation of the ASNT Engineering Council and for inspiring engineering concepts. Vinogradov will receive the award at the annual ASNT conference in October.

For more information, visit https://www.swri.org/magnetostrictive-sensor-based-guided-waves.

Credit: Southwest Research Institute