Title: Member
Company: American Nuclear Society
Location: Bloomington, Indiana, United States
Robert Joseph Purtell, PhD, a Member of the American Nuclear Society, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Scientists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in nuclear electric power generation.
Over the course of his 44-year career, Dr. Purtell has maintained a steadfast interest in nuclear power and has dedicated himself to the semiconductor industry. As a member of the American Nuclear Society, his focus extends beyond education and teaching. He excels at connecting with scientists worldwide and advocating for nuclear power, a subject he is deeply passionate about. One of his key contributions is producing a weekly newsletter for his nuclear interest group, garnering 150 subscribers since its inception. He acts in a volunteer capacity, driven by his commitment to advancing nuclear technology rather than financial gain. Prior to his work for the American Nuclear Society, he served as a scientist for The Thorium Network and taught in various schools throughout Monroe County, Indiana. As an engineer, he spent 25 years of his career with the International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) and another seven with Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc. in Utah. He began his studies in the industry at Case Western Reserve University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1973. He went on to graduate from the University of California, Berkeley, with a master’s degree in chemistry in 1976, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy in chemical engineering in 1981.
Dr. Purtell’s career in the semiconductor industry has given him a unique perspective on nuclear development, as both fields share complexities and require the collaboration of engineers from various disciplines, including nuclear, chemical, electrical, and project engineers. When teaching, he draws parallels between the two industries, noting that while semiconductors are widely accepted, public perception of nuclear energy remains a challenge. This disparity motivates him to engage with younger generations, particularly in places like Singapore, where he hopes to educate and inspire youth to advocate for nuclear energy as a solution to climate change.
When reflecting on the totality of his career, Dr. Purtell considers his most notable achievement to be the accumulation of approximately 30 patents in the semiconductor industry, many of which concentrated on technology and semiconductor cleaning. While some of these patents are now considered obsolete, he takes great pride in the innovative work he has contributed to the field. In addition, he has published 14 articles on semiconductor processing. Outside of his career, he spent 15 years as a member of the Rescue Squad of the Mohegan Volunteer Fire Department. Moving forward, he plans to continue working with the American Nuclear Society, providing education and information on nuclear power throughout the United States.
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