Beach, Elvin

Biography

Dr. Elvin Beach is an Associate Professor of Practice in Materials Science and Engineering. Elvin coordinates laboratory staff support; ensures lab equipment is updated; and develops, implements, and enforces safety guidelines and procedures.

He leads new initiatives in laboratory instruction and class demonstrations, trains TAs who can support teaching of the labs, develops and implements hands-on testing and characterization of materials, and coordinates undergraduate student employees to support the educational programs of the department.

He is also part of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering's climate and inclusivity committee as a faculty mentor

Education

  • B.S. Metallurgical Engineering - Michigan Technological University (2000)
  • M.S. Materials Science & Engineering - Michigan Technological University (2001)
  • Ph.D. Materials Science & Engineering - The Ohio State University (2009)

Professional background

Dr. Beach acquired extensive industrial experience at Dow Chemical, Owens-Corning, Battelle Memorial Institute, and Worthington Industries. He is the editor-in-chief for the Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention and the associate editor for Metallography, Microstructure, and Analysis.

Honors and awards

Expertise

  • General materials science and engineering
  • Physical metallurgy
  • Materials characterization
  • Failure analysis
  • Fracture and fatigue

Research background

Professor Beach had the opportunity to work across a range of materials during his educational and professional experiences. He began as an undergraduate research assistant working on surface chemistry and atomic force microscopy. His internship while at Michigan Tech was at IBM where he developed advanced lead-free solder joints. When he returned to complete his M.S. degree, this research involved surface modification to minimize drug particle adhesion.

Beach worked in industry for four and a half years, during which he worked on early OLED development and failure analysis at the Dow Chemical Company. While there, he enjoyed the opportunity to work extensively with ion and electron beam microscopes.

Elvin first came to Ohio State to pursue a Ph.D. and his research was specific to developing ceramic microsensors using ink-jet deposition. This work involved chemical synthesis, microhotplate fabrication and device testing at NIST. After graduation, he worked at Owens Corning developing coatings for roofing that prevented algae and other microorganisms from forming.

A transition to Battelle Memorial Institute doing contract research and development allowed him to focus on failure analysis and materials selection work with both government and industrial customers.

Dr. Beach eventually took a position at Worthington Industries leading the research and development team in the Materials Lab. This involved significant work in failure analysis for customers, rapid manufacturing process troubleshooting, developing new joining methods (high speed friction stir welding), and creating a hot stamping simulation system for press hardenable steels.  

He enjoys learning new things and transferring that knowledge to others in order to advance their professional and educational growth. When the opportunity to work in the labs at Ohio State presented itself, he jumped at it. He enjoys creating laboratory-based class experiences that reinforce fundamental concepts learned in core classes and providing context for how these will translate to practice in industry.

In the news

Reflections: A professor during a pandemic, January 2022

Dr. Elvin Beach joins faculty roster of Department of Material Science and Engineering, September 2019