AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE SCIENCE RECOGNISED INTERNATIONALLY

The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, today congratulated Defence corrosion expert Dr Bruce Hinton on winning the prestigious 2009 Frank Newman Speller Award, from the US-based professional organisation NACE International.

Dr Hinton, from the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), was recognised for his ‘sustained and insightful application of science and engineering to the solution and prevention of corrosion on Australian Defence Force aircraft’.

“Over a 40-year period Dr Hinton has made invaluable contributions to Defence with his research into corrosion problems, including atmospheric corrosion, corrosion sensors and corrosion inhibition,” Mr Snowdon said.

“His work has increased aircraft availability for operational use, and significantly reduced the time and money spent on aircraft maintenance.”

Mr Snowdon said a program to proactively manage corrosion in Australia’s Black Hawk fleet in the 1990s was one of Dr Hinton’s most significant contributions to Defence.

On 25 March Dr Hinton delivered the 2009 F. N. Speller lecture at the Corrosion 2009 conference in Atlanta, Georgia, on ‘Prevention and Control of Corrosion in Aircraft: Changes Over Four Decades’.

Dr Hinton is the first Australian to win the F. N. Speller award, named after a US pioneer in metallurgy and corrosion control engineering.  Dr Hinton has also received the Defence Minister’s Award for Achievement in Defence Science for his work on corrosion control and management.

“Recognition for Dr Hinton shows that DSTO’s work continues to be highly regarded around the world,” Mr Snowdon said.

NACE International, formerly the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, is dedicated to protecting the environment and reducing the economic impact of corrosion through science and engineering.

Media contacts:

Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):                                     02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689

Steve D’Arcy (DSTO):                                                     03 9626 7128 or 0419 991 909

Defence Media Liaison:                                                    02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664