Leon Mark Headings

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Leon Mark Headings
872 Havendale Drive
Columbus, OH 43220
(614) 406-2818
Headings.4@osu.edu

EDUCATION

The Ohio State University,Columbus, OH
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Expected 2008
Overall GPA: 3.90

The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
M.S. Mechanical Engineering, September 2005
Overall GPA: 3.90

 

The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, June 1999
Magna Cum Laude and Honors with Distinction
Overall GPA: 3.69

Goshen College,Goshen, IN
B.A. Physics, June 1999
Overall GPA: 3.72

EXPERIENCE

Techriculture, Columbus, OH
Consultant, Founding Member (2006 to present)

• Founding member and consultant for Techriculture, a nonprofit entity focused on facilitating technology innovation and commercialization. Techriculture works with inventors and scientists through educational, networking, technical, and financial consulting. Techriculture also aims to motivate and train the next generation of scientists, leaders, and job creators.

The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Graduate Research Assistant, Intelligent Structures and Systems Lab (September 2003 to present)

• Advisor: Dr. Gregory N. Washington


• Ph.D. Dissertation Research: Modeling, Design, and Control of Thermoelectric Systems


• Currently developing models for thermal energy systems in hybrid vehicles, including the design of thermoelectric energy recovery systems.


• Awarded Department of Energy fellowship for Graduate Automotive Technology Education 2006 to present.


• Master’s Thesis Research: Modeling, Characterization, and Design of Smart Material Driven Stick-Slip Actuation Mechanisms


• Designed and constructed a test setup and developed characterization methods for smart material driven actuators. Designed new compliant mechanisms and actuator configurations for stick-slip screw-type piezoelectric actuators and evaluated them for improvements in speed and output force authority.

Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., Akron, OH

• Engineer, GM Passenger & Light Truck Tire Development (October 2001 to July 2003)


• Engineer, Latin America Tire Development (July 2001 to September 2001)


• Jr. Engineer, Latin America Tire Development (June 1999 to June 2001)


• Project leader for OE, trade, and cost reduction tire development projects. Responsible for mold design, tire building specifications, and testing to meet governmental, corporate, and customer performance targets. Successful development accomplished by working with customer, OE representatives, production plant, chemists, technical specialists, and testing engineers.

Fitch, Inc., Powell, OH
Engineering Co-op, Product Development (June 1998 to September 1998, August 1997 to December 1997, March 1997 to June 1997)

• Worked with engineers and industrial designers to develop a diversity of consumer products. Projects involved Pro/Engineer modeling, working with vendors and clients, and research and development. Earned patent number 6,296,196 for S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.

Goshen College, Goshen, IN
Research Assistant, Laboratory Assistant, Tutor (January 1994 to May 1996)

• Research work in x-ray crystallography laboratory included fluorescence microscope photography, x-ray scan preparation, and diffractometer modifications/alignment. Laboratory assistant and tutor for General Physics, tutor for Accounting.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate coursework includes technology commercialization, controls, smart materials, FEA, and vibrations.


• Proficient with dSpace and Siglab data acquisition systems. Software includes Matlab, IDEAS, Pro/Engineer, Solid Edge, Unigraphics, and Microsoft Office.


• Engineer-in-Training since 1999.


• Speak and write intermediate Spanish.

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH

1^st place in mechanical engineering at Denman Undergraduate Research Forum, 1999, for “The Design and Analysis of an Automotive Thermal Energy Recovery System.” Advisor: Dr. Yann G. Guezennec.

INTERESTS

Technology Commercialization, Innovative Product Development, Mechatronic Systems, System Dynamics, Intelligent Control, Mechanical Design.

PATENTS

“Control system for atomizing liquids with a piezoelectric vibrator,” US Patent 6,296,196, S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.

PUBLICATIONS

• Headings, Leon, Vincenzo Marano, Christopher Jaworski, Yann Guezennec, Gregory Washington, Joseph P. Heremans, and Giorgio Rizzoni, “Opportunities for Thermoelectric Energy Conversion in Hybrid Vehicles,” ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE ’06), Chicago, Illinois, Nov. 2006.


• Headings, Leon M., and Gregory N. Washington, “Stiffness Controlled Piezoelectric Stick-Slip Actuator for Rapid Positioning Applications,” ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition (IMECE ’05), Orlando, Florida, Nov. 2005.