Thomas Meitzler

Research Scientist
US Army TACOM Research and Engineering Center (TARDEC) in Survivability
Troy, Michigan

Biography:

Thomas J. Meitzler received his B.S. and M.S. in Physics from Eastern Michigan University, completed graduate coursework at the University of Michigan, and received a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Wayne State University in Detroit.

His doctoral dissertation in Electrical Engineering at Wayne State University was on Modern Methods for Computing the Probability of Target Detection in Cluttered Environments. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society (APS) and Senior Member of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He is the Ground System Survivability Senior Technical Expert.

During the time from 1988 to present, Dr. Meitzler has been a research scientist at the US Army TACOM Research and Engineering Center (TARDEC) in Survivability. For the U.S. Army, Dr. Meitzler has been involved with the validation, verification, and development of infrared, electro-optical and human visual acquisition models and atmospheric simulation. Dr. Meitzler was the principal scientist of the TARDEC Visual Perception Laboratory and the principal investigator on a CRADA with GM and Ford Motor Company to apply visual target acquisition models to vehicle conspicuity and novel sensors to automobile 360 degree safety. Dr. Meitzler has been the lead on several CRADA’s with NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and with the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He has authored/co-authored many papers in the area of Electro Optic system simulation and visual detection, sensor validation, nondestructive testing on armor materials, spintronics and metamaterials.

Dr. Meitzler has developed and integrated technologies for embedded armor health-monitoring, armor Non Destructive testing, and armor embedded radio signal detection. His research interests include infrared sensor characterization, non-destructive testing, nano-electronics, and spintronics. Dr. Meitzler proposed a method for embedded armor health assessment that involves embedded piezoelectric transducers and nano electronics and built a laboratory around that idea.

Statement:

I have worked both in the academic and Department of Defense sectors for most of my professional career. As a treasurer/secretary of the FIAP I hope to get greater familiarity with the technical fields that my colleagues are working on and encourage the growth and membership of the FIAP technical society.

As our country strives to make our economy stronger, the role that Applied Physicists play in industry and government is crucial if we expect to expand the rate of innovation and maintain our technical leadership. Government and Industry must work together to foster and nurture workplaces and opportunities for technical creativity. If elected to the position of FIAP treasurer/secretary I will try to maintain growth of the FIAP and at the same time apply due diligence to the monitoring of our available fiscal resources.