Atakan Peker

Scientific Interests and Current Work

Dr. Atakan Peker’s area of expertise is advanced materials and their applications, particularly structural materials combined with novel functional properties. Client specific applications include development, processing, and characterization of novel alloys and composites. Areas of expertise include:

  • Bulk metallic glass and composites
  • Ultra-high strength alloy design and development
  • Synthesis and processing of novel alloys
  • Melting and casting reactive alloys
  • Net-shape forming
  • Physical, thermal and mechanical properties
  • Microstructure characterization
  • Prototyping and material selection
  • Failure analysis

Background

During his Ph.D. thesis under Prof. W. L. Johnson, Dr. Peker worked on the development of bulk metallic glass (an amorphous alloy) and discovered Zr-Ti base Vitreloy series alloys, which are considered the most processable bulk metallic glasses to date. After earning his Ph.D., Dr. Peker joined Liquidmetal Technologies where he started commercial development of bulk metallic glass.

At Liquidmetal Technologies, Dr. Peker led several research projects, sponsored both by commercial companies and DoD agencies. He initiated the development of fabrication methods for bulk metallic glass/tungsten composites for the KEP (Kinetic Energy Penetrator) application, which resulted in over $8M of DOD funding. He also managed corporate intellectual property and collaborative research activities with research institutes worldwide. Dr. Peker is inventor/co-inventor of over 30 issued or pending patents covering commercial products with over $40 M sales in the last 5 years.

Dr. Peker joined the Institute for Shock Physics’ Applied Sciences Laboratory at Washington State University in August 2007.

Education

  • Ph.D. (Materials Science) 1994, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
  • B.S. (Mechanical Engineering and Physics) 1989, Bogazici University, Istanbul, Turkey

Representative Publications & Patents

  1. Peker & W. L. Johnson, “A Highly Processable Metallic Glass: Zr41.25Ti13.75Cu12.5Ni10.0Be22.5,” Appl. Phys. Lett., 63, 2342 (1993).
  2. Peker & W.L. Johnson, “Beryllium Bearing Amorphous Metallic Alloys Formed By Low Cooling Rates,” U.S. Patent No. 5288344, February 1994.
  3. Peker, “Method of Forming Molded Articles of Amorphous Alloy with High Elastic Limit,” U.S. Patent No. 6875293, April 2005.
  4. S. Collier & A. Peker, “Encapsulated Ceramic Armor,” U.S. Patent No. 7157158, January 2007.