Education
Brief Bio
Dr. Thompson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at South Dakota Mines. Prior to 2024, Dr. Thompson worked as a Research Scientist with the Arbegast Materials Processing & Joining Laboratory at South Dakota Mines, where he led research efforts involving one of the laboratory’s core technology areas (plasma-assisted surface engineering). Dr. Thompson is a member of the American Vacuum Society (AVS) and The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS). Outside of work, Dr. Thompson enjoys running, biking, and hiking with his wife, three kids, and two dogs.
Research Expertise
Dr. Thompson’s research focuses on the study of processing-structure-property relationships in advanced materials. His specific research areas of interest include: (i) plasma-assisted physical vapor deposition techniques (such as high-power impulse magnetron sputtering), (ii) synthesis and characterization of multifunctional transition metal nitrides, (iii) the tribology of metals and ceramics, (iv) development of refractory metal coatings for biomedical and aerospace applications.
Teaching
Dr. Thompson teaches courses related to the structure and properties of metals and advanced ceramics. While at South Dakota Mines, Dr. Thompson has taught “Fundamentals of Glass and Ceramic Engineering” (MET400/500) and “Materials Characterization Methods & Applications” (MES602/MES602L). Dr. Thompson has also taught as a Visiting Instructor at his alma mater, Colorado College.