James Smith

Professor Smith received his PhD in Solid State Science from Pennsylvania State University in 1967. From 1967 to 1975 he worked at the Sullivan Park Research Laboratory of Corning Glass Works where his research involved dielectric properties of glass ceramics and thin oxide films. From 1976 to 1978 he worked on PTC thermistors as a senior research engineer for the GTE Sylvania Lighting Laboratories in Danvers, Mass. In 1978 he moved to the GTE Control Devices Operation in Standish, Me. as Assistant Chief Engineer and Section Head in charge of new product development. He joined USM in 1986.

His primary scholarly interests are in the failure of passive electronic components, particularly those based on electroceramics and in methods for predicting failure. He is also interested in developing new applications for electroceramics based on perovskite compounds. His other scholarly interests are in the area of general education. He is particularly concerned with reconciling the tensions between classical liberal learning and professional education.