UA Engineering Professor’s Japanese Award is an ‘American First’

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dr. Richard C. “Dick” Bradt, professor of materials engineering and department head of metallurgical and materials engineering at The University of Alabama, has been chosen as the recipient of the Academic Achievement Award of the Ceramic Society of Japan, becoming the first American to receive this honor.

Bradt recently attended the society’s annual ceremony in Tokyo, where he was recognized for his research on the behavior of brittleness and plasticity of ceramics as related to the crystal structure and microstructure.

“I feel tremendously honored by the respect shown to me by the presentation of this award,” said Bradt. “Any time you receive an award it feels good, but to receive an international award such as this is most gratifying.”

The award consists of a large parchment scribed in Japanese and a silver medal with a phoenix set in intricately designed red enamel.

The Ceramic Society of Japan deals with the applied chemistry and physics of technical ceramics, such as those with special optical, electrical, mechanical and magnetic properties. Many of these types of ceramics are found inside televisions and computers. Bradt has been a member of the society for more than 30 years.

Bradt, who speaks some Japanese, has worked closely with students and researchers in Japan for many years. The UA College of Engineering professor spent a sabbatical in that country in the 1970s. He has studied mechanical properties, hardness and toughness of different glasses, and has published more than 300 papers in various areas of ceramics and mechanical metallurgy, many with Japanese co-authors.

Bradt was recently appointed to the advisory board for UA’s Japan Program. He will help identify new directions and projects for the program and support the program through personal involvement.