Chris Smith
Chris Smith
Biography
Mr. Smith is a Project Management Professional (PMP)® certified project manager who primarily manages projects involving the development of new solid phase manufacturing processes to join metals or modify their material properties. He leads the cold spray operations at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and supports PNNL’s robotic-based equipment. Mr. Smith has significant experience with friction stir welding and cold spray coating, as well as a background in the development of related automation technologies to support these manufacturing processes and fusion welding processes, such as gas metal arc welding, laser welding, and tungsten inert gas welding.
Before joining PNNL, Mr. Smith spent over 20 years in private industry in organizations ranging from small start-ups to large organization, supporting a wide range of industries, including automotive, rail car, marine, energy production, aerospace, and general transportation. His roles ranged from process development engineering and robotic software development to engineering and operations management, with all positions involving project management.
Education
MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1995.
BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, 1993.
Awards and Recognitions
A. F. Davis Silver Medal, American Welding Society, 1999.
Publications
Jiang X., N.R. Overman, C.B. Smith, and K.A. Ross. 2020. "Microstructure, hardness and cavitation erosion resistance of different cold spray coatings on stainless steel 316 for hydropower applications." Materials Today Communications 25. PNNL-SA-153058. doi:10.1016/j.mtcomm.2020.101305