Larbalestier named to National Academy of Engineering

Materials Science and Engineering professor David Larbalestier has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). He joins 2,000 other members, 17 of whom are current or emeriti faculty from UW–Madison’s College of Engineering.

The NAE, a branch of the National Academies and founded in 1964, advises the federal government on public-policy issues involving technology and engineering, as well as conducts independent studies. Membership to this academy is accorded to those in the field who have made significant contributions and advances to engineering theory and practice; it is considered one of the highest honors awarded to engineers.

“This is a tremendous honor for David and serves as recognition of the world-class work done by our faculty,” says Paul Peercy, dean of the College of Engineering.

Larbalestier, director of the college’s Applied Superconductivity Center, has been at the forefront of understanding and developing superconducting materials. The NAE cited his work in advancing the materials science of high-field superconductors and in developing processing techniques that incorporate this knowledge.