W. C. Harrigan, Jr. received a Ph.D. in Materials
Science from Stanford University. He received a Master
of Science from Stanford University and a Bachelor of
Science in Metallurgical Engineering, Cum Laude, from
the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Harrigan is the CTO
of Gamma Technology which is a commercial manufacturer of metal matrix composites. Dr. Harrigan
worked at the Aerospace Corporation where he developed graphite fiber reinforced aluminum and other metal
composites. He worked at DWA Aluminum Composites
where he helped to develop hardware made from
graphite/metal composites and developed particle reinforced aluminum composites. Dr. Harrigan helped three
companies qualify an aluminum matrix composite for
use in nuclear spent fuel storage: Alyn Corporation,
DWA Technologies, and Ceradyne, Inc. He also managed programs to commercialize metal matrix composite
automobile engine components and recreation products.
He has also consulted with several companies that are
developing new manufacturing methods for aluminum
matrix composites. Dr. Harrigan has taught classes in
design with composites at the University of California,
Irvine and California State University, Northridge.
In 1985, Dr. Harrigan was the chairman of the
International Conference on Composite Materials V,
held in San Diego CA. Dr. Harrigan was honored as a
Fellow of ASM International in 1999 with the citation
for commercialization of metal matrix composites.
While working at The Aerospace Corporation, he was
awarded US Patent 4,223,075 for alloy modification for
graphite fiber reinforced aluminum composites. At Alyn
Corporation, he received two patents for use of metal
matrix composites for computer disk drive substrates,
5,948,495 and 5,895,696.
About the Editors
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