Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly the University of Missouri at Rolla) awarded an honorary professional degree to Virginia Tech Engineering Science and Mechanics Professor David Dillard in May at their commencement. In bestowing this distinction on selected alumni, Missouri S&T noted that Dillard had “established an international reputation for his work in adhesives and sealants…”
Dillard of Blacksburg, Va., holds Virginia Tech’s Adhesive and Sealant Science Professorship endowed by the Adhesive and Sealant Council.
Dillard served for five years as director of Virginia Tech’s Center for Adhesive and Sealant Science (CASS) and served as founder and interim director of the Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute (MII) at Virginia Tech.
Dillard recently completed a term as president of the Adhesion Society, and is a Robert L. Patrick Fellow of that organization.
A major thrust of his research work is the development of appropriate test methods for evaluation of adhesive bonds, analysis and design procedures for adhesive joints, and studies of the durability of such systems when exposed to a variety of environmental conditions. Recent efforts include durability of fuel cell materials and behavior of adhesives under impact conditions.
Dillard has co-authored more than 120 referenced journal articles and several book chapters, has received best paper awards from the Society for Experimental Mechanics and the Society for Wood Science and Technology. He received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Missouri S&T in Engineering Mechanics in 1976 and 1978, respectively.