J.W.Sheffield

John W. Sheffield

Dr. Sheffield is the Associate Chair for Graduate Affairs and Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR) and currently serves as Director of the UMR Industrial Assessment Center. Dr. Sheffield has been a faculty member at UMR since 1980. He has served as an associate editor of the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy since 1984 and the assistant editor from 1978 to 1984. Dr. Sheffield received his Bachelor of Engineering Science degree from University of Texas at Austin in 1971; his Master of Engineering Mechanics degree from North Carolina State University in 1973; and his Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science & Mechanics from North Carolina State University in1975.

Over the years, Dr. Sheffield has held numerous positions at UMR, including Director of the Institute of Public Service and Economic Development (2001 to 2002); Interim Program Director of Business and Industry and Economic Development (1998 to 2000); Director of the Office of University Outreach and Extension (1997 to 2001); and Director of the Center for Technology Transfer and Economic Development (1996 to 1997). In 1980, Dr. Sheffield served as a Research Fellow at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology, and from 1978 until 1980, he served as a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Miami. From 1975 until 1976, Dr. Sheffield served as a Senior Analytical Engineer in the Scientific Analysis Group of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut, and from 1976 until 1978, he served as a Senior Experimental Engineer in the Advanced Energy Group of Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Florida.

More recently, Dr. Sheffield has developed student programs on hydrogen energy. For example, the pre-college summer camp “Hy-Tech 2004 Camp” gave young pre-college students an opportunity to learn about hydrogen technology and the use of hydrogen as an energy carrier through hands-on activities such as building and testing solar and hydrogen model cars, computer-based simulation and games, movies, science learning with UMR faculty and students. This camp was held June 14-18, 2004. The two age groups for the Hy-Tech Camp were 5th-8th grade and 9th-12th grade. Dr. Sheffield also served as an advisor to the UMR student design team that participated in the 1st Annual University Hydrogen Design Contest - HYDROGEN FUELING STATION, which seeks to aid in the development of the hydrogen economy and engage students in the progression of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The National Hydrogen Association and the U.S. Department of Energy sought innovative and imaginative designs for the next-generation hydrogen fueling station.