2018 Robert E. Wilson Award

This year at the AIChE Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, Robert Eby (pictured left) was presented with the 2018 Robert E. Wilson Award winner by Division Chair, Dr. Michael Simpson (pictured right). The Wilson Award recognizes outstanding chemical engineering contributions and achievements in the nuclear industry, and promotes the objectives of the Nuclear Engineering Division of AIChE. Bob has had a distinguished 44-year career in radiochemical processing and uranium processing and has provided leadership as both a researcher and a manager in government and the private sector. His career is a model of the practice of chemical engineering focused on the nuclear energy field. He has done individual research and development that has advanced our fundamental technical knowledge (e.g., his work in desublimation, an important unit operation in uranium processing). He has designed, built and operated pilot facilities. He has managed important programs (such as the uranium processing portion of the AVLIS program). He has managed critical projects (including the decommissioning of the Georgia Tech reactor). He has managed large facilities and operations (e.g., the 4,000-person K-25 Site). He has provided leadership to critical and complex R&D activities and organizations (most recently, leading the development and demonstration of the American Gas Centrifuge, deemed by DOE to be the most advanced enrichment technology available today). He has taken time to mentor young engineers and students. In each of these endeavors, Bob has served with distinction and has demonstrated the qualities of personal character that are examples for our profession.