Leigh Griffith Email & Phone Number

Applied Physics Division

Manages Institute-wide development and growth of specific technology areas, coordinating large, multi-divisional programs. Leads large project promotion in cybersecurity, network solutions, embedded systems, and metamaterials. Initiated internal research and development in 35-94 GHz radiometers, rubidium magnetometers, acoustic demining, magnetometer-based magnetic anomaly detection, electronics printing on unconventional substrates, nanogenerators, laser photolithography for fabrication of miniature devices, graphene fabrication, miniature COTS camera modules, a 30-year battery, gas pipeline moisture sensors, synchronization techniques for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing, and a multi-million dollar initiative in metamaterials. Continues extending work to external customers, focusing on both commercial and government needs.

Applied Physics Division

Instrumental in developing a $1.1M commercial program for an energy company focused on magnetic technology. Conducted research on a multi-rotor wind turbine using the NASA Langley large-scale wind tunnel as a test bed. Set up $1.5M Advanced Electronics Laboratory to conduct state-of-the-art sensor development including tools for patterning, assembly and characterization.

Chemistry And Chemical Engineering Division

Continued growing the toxicity area of the Fire Technology department, expanding into a program management role. Added staff and increased number of clients and revenue. Contributed to shaping departmental policy and served in a management capacity for the group. Served on the toxicity standards committee for the International Maritime Organization, developing standards and coordinating with toxicity experts around the world focused on improving the safety of life and health during fire scenarios.

Chemistry And Chemical Engineering Division

Developed smoke toxicity program for the Department of Fire Technology, conducting fire performance evaluation programs that included dynamic profiling and quantifying of toxic gas using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and digital signal processing. Completed Master's thesis on "Optimization of toxic gas sampling from fire effluents and analysis by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy." The research was extended to and included a major program for the U.S. Coast Guard for both toxic and incapacitating gas species to develop U.S. capability and protocols for meeting International Maritime standards; studying sulfur traps and lean NOx catalysts for the Department of Energy; and, developing a new fire gas toxicity standard for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division.

Chemistry And Chemical Engineering Division

Translated spectroscopy experience in polymers to develop a toxicity evaluation program to evaluate the toxicity of smoke from fires using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Conducted standard and nonstandard small-scale fire evaluation tests in accordance with ASTM, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and European fire standards. Expanded the tests to include a variety of smoke evaluations, including FTIR, Draeger tube, gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, and the University of Pittsburgh test protocol for the City and State of New York. Evaluated smoke for both toxic and incapacitating gas species, as well as dioxins and furans.

Materials And Materials Engineering Division

Research focused on thermal characterization of polymers, contributing to a major proposal effort and subsequent grant award from the National Institutes of Health for a new dental composites program; developing advanced process sensors based on fiber optic and light scattering approaches for materials processing of polymers and composites, coupling a near infrared Raman spectrometer to an industrial autoclave and using the vibrational spectrum as a signature of the degree of cure of the resin for a major defense contractor.

Master Of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Program Management

Master Of Science (M.S.), Applied Physics

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Physics

Activities and Societies: Sigma Pi Sigma

Associate'S Degree, Physics