Joel Lipkin earned a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA in 1965. Continued studies in Solid Mechanics at Brown University, Providence, RI led to ScM and PhD degrees being granted in 1967 and 1970, respectively. His ScM and PhD research areas involved experimental and analytical studies of combined stress (axial and torsional), inelastic wave propagation in thin-walled tubes.
Joel joined Sandia National Laboratories/NM in 1969, and between 1969 and 1979 he worked in a number of areas involving applications of engineering mechanics and materials science.
He was especially involved in developing novel experimental methods to investigate material behavior at high rates of loading and in incorporating new models of material behavior into state-of-the-art numerical methods used to simulate the behavior of materials and structures.
In 1976 Joel undertook a 12-month temporary assignment as a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford, Oxford, England. During this assignment, Joel developed unique experimental tools and techniques for investigating the behavior of materials undergoing complex histories of dynamic torsional deformation.
Between 1979 and 1984, Joel was involved in a nuclear waste management project at Sandia/NM investigating the use of the deep ocean sediments as a repository for high level waste.
In 1984 Joel transferred to Sandia/CA where he initially returned to studies of dynamic material behavior. He later assumed responsibility for managing projects focused on environmentally conscious dismantlement of both conventional and nuclear weapon systems. These projects identified and commercialized innovative concepts to process and re-use energetic materials derived from the demilitarization of excess weapon systems. An additional area of interest was the development and application of advanced sensors to monitor gas and particulate emissions from thermal treatment operations.
Beginning in January 2001, Joel undertook an 18-month temporary assignment as a laboratory detailee working in the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of Defense Programs in Washington DC. While in this office, he helped develop strategic partnerships between U.S. universities and the National Security Laboratories managed by the Office of Defense Programs.
After returning to Sandia/CA, Joel became involved in new research thrusts related to homeland security. These areas included refinement of decision analysis tools to address terrorist threats and to mitigate consequences of possible attacks.
Joel retired in February 2004 and has since worked as a consultant to Sandia where he has contributed to munitions systems studies and to the development of unique numerical simulations that are being used to enhance the security of the U.S. border system.