William J. Parker

30th International Thermal Conductivity Conference Award Co-Winner 2009

Dr. William Parker worked at the US Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory (NRDL) for 16 years and was involved in the nuclear testing of the 1950’s. His thermophysical began in 1954 when he earned his MS degree in Physics at the University of Oregon. As the leader of the High Temperature Physics Section, Parker and his colleagues began developing the Laser Flash Method for measuring thermal diffusivity and specific heat or heat capacity. In 1966, Dr. Parker became the head of the Fire Research Station and later accepted a position at the Fire Research Section of the National Bureau of Standards. Before retiring in 1990, he attended George Washington University and received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering. Parker’s Laser Flash Method remains the most popular method of measuring thermal diffusivity of solids.

Published Proceedings of the 30th ITCC:

Proceedings of the Thirtieth International Thermal Conductivity Conference, 30th, Gaal, D.S., Gaal, P.S. (2010). Thermal Conductivity 30. DEStech Publications.

Most Cited Works by William Parker:

1. Parker, W. J., Jenkins, R. J., Butler, C. P., and Abbott, G. L. 1961. Flash method of determining thermal diffusivity, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity. Journal of Applied Physics, 32(9): 1679-1684.
2. Parker, W. J. 1984. Calculations of the heat release rate by oxygen consumption for various applications. Journal of Fire Sciences, 2(5): 380-395.
3. Parker, W. J. 1982. Calculations of the heat release rate by oxygen consumption for various applications. NASA STI/Recon Technical Report N, 83: 10304.