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Robert G. Bryant, PhD, H.

Updated: Feb 4

Dr. Robert G. Bryant, PhD, H. is an expert in polymer synthesis and processing, composite manufacturing, thermal analysis and more.

SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE

  • Polymer Synthesis

  • Polymer Processing

  • Composite Manufacturing

  • Thermal Analysis

  • Polymer Structure/Property Relationships

  • Films and Coatings

  • Piezoelectric Polymers and Ceramics


LANGUAGE FLUENCY

English


PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS, LICENSES, AND SKILLS

  • American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA)– Thermoplastic Committee Member; High Performance Committee member; Thermoplastic Composite Conference (TCC) Organizing Committee

  • Society for Advanced Material Process and Engineering (SAMPE) –Thermoplastics Technical Committee


 

CURRICULUM VITAE

Robert G. Bryant holds a BS in Chemistry and a Doctor of Science—honoris causa from Valparaiso University. He also earned an MS and Ph.D. from the Polymer Institute at the University of Akron.


In 1990, Dr. Bryant joined NASA Langley Research Center as a Materials Engineer where he focused on aerospace polymers, composites, and piezoelectric materials. During his NASA tenure, he held the following positions: Research Materials Engineer; Branch Head; and Chief Engineer for Materials and Structures. In 2012, Dr. Bryant formed a consulting firm, Technoir LLC, offering subject matter expertise in areas related to: materials, processing, structural design, testing and analysis. In 2024, Dr. Bryant retired form NASA and continues as a consultant for Technoir LLC. Dr. Bryant has over 150 technical publications and presentations, and over 40 US and foreign patents.


Dr. Bryant currently serves as a graduate student invention judge for the National Inventors Hall of Fame and as an executive board member for School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at the University of Akron.


 

COMPUTER LANGUAGES & PROGRAMS

  • Fortran IV

  • Pascal


 


EDUCATION

Valparaiso University, Minors Math and Physics, BS Chemistry, 1985

University of Akron, Polymer Institute, MS Polymer Science, 1990

University of Akron, Polymer Institute, PhD Polymer Science, 1995

Valparaiso University, H - Doctor of Science Horonis Causa, 2019


 

AWARDS

Three R&D 100s

NASA Medal of Exceptional Achievement

NASA’s Government Invention of the Year

Valparaiso University Distinguished Alumni

Space Foundation Space Technology Hall of Fame

NASA Inventors Hall of Fame

National Inventors Hall of Fame

New Trier Hall of Honor

Eagle Scout


 

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Robert Bryant worked under Dr. Frank W. Harris as a NASA Graduate Student Research Fellow, where he developed high performance thermoplastics and hot melt adhesives (polyimides) and thermosets (BMI’s and acetylene-terminated elastomers). In 1990, he was employed by NASA as a civil servant materials research engineer. During his career, Dr. Bryant held several positions with NASA including Branch Head, Chief Engineer, and Deputy Program Manager. Dr. Bryant’s research work focused on resin development and testing, hot-melt adhesives, composite processing, piezoelectric actuator packaging, film casting, carbon-carbon, and durable coatings. This required the development of novel lab scale polymer processing equipment. Some of the more notable national programs he has worked on include: NASA-HSR, New Millenium, and various internal NASA programs and projects.


He has been a member of technology demonstrations teams that have or had space projects including STS-123 (USAF - REGEX) and CubeSats Sheilds-1 and ACS3. Dr. Bryant is the inventor of LaRC-SI, and a coinventor on NASA’s PETI resin series. He was also a key member of the groups that developed the THUNDER actuator, the MacroFiber Composite (MFC) actuator and the Radial Field Diaphragm (RFD). Dr. Bryant has given many invented lectures and keynote addresses at various technical meetings and companies throughout the world. Amongst his many citable publications, he has written several chapters on Polyimides for the Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology. In 2012, Dr. Bryant formed his consulting firm, Technoir, LLC. He is an inducted member of several technical Halls of Fame including the National Inventors Hall of Fame.


Dr. Bryant retired from NASA in 2024 and now works as a full time consulting member of Technoir LLC and currently serves as a Graduate Student Invention Judge for the National Inventors Hall of Fame and an Executive Board Member for School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering at the University of Akron.




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