Young Australian scientist cracks international award
An aerospace engineer whose work supports the safe operation of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) air fleet is the first Australian to receive the international Jaap Schijve award for young aeronautical engineers.
Dr Chris Wallbrink from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) is the recipient of this prestigious award, which is sponsored by the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory and the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands.
Dr Wallbrink said he was humbled by the international recognition and appreciated the opportunity to have made a worthwhile contribution.
"I have been able to contribute to the development of new and improved techniques for predicting fatigue and fatigue crack growth in aircraft structures and these techniques are critical to maintaining aircraft within the safe bounds of operation," Dr Wallbrink said.
Dr Wallbrink will deliver the Jaap Schijve lecture at the 27th Symposium of the International Committee on Aeronautical Fatigue and Structural Integrity (ICAF) in Jerusalem on 7 June, when he will receive a medal and cash prize of €5000.
The Jaap Schijve award recognises young researchers for outstanding contribution to advancing scientific knowledge about fatigue and damage tolerance in aircraft. It is named after Delft University veteran and structural integrity expert Professor Jaap Schijve.
