Directory

Ronald Hoffman

Senior Research Physicist

University of Dayton Research Institute: Applied Mechanics

Profile

Dr. Hoffman has over 24 years of experience in most areas of lightweight-armor design, materials, and testing. He has specialized in transparent and opaque armor technology since joining UDRI. He has operated both as a program manager and principal investigator for government and industrial sponsored research programs. Ron investigates and evaluates light armor against advanced small arms threats. His responsibilities include prototype design, test-plan development, and validation.

Ron currently manages the small arms ranges within the Impact Physics Lab. He is responsible for directing and completing research programs conducted in these facilities. Within this role, he has worked with all of the pertinent government laboratories and vehicle manufacturers and knows the armor community. Managing small arms research has given Ron vast knowledge of armor technology and integration strategies that are applicable to many different armor platforms.

Prior to joining UDRI, Ron worked for the Dow Chemical Company at their central research facility in Midland, Michigan. During his 12 years with Dow, Ron was involved in the research fields of energy storage and structural as well as electro-ceramics. His research in nonaqueous electrochemistry, organometallic electrolytes, and ion insertion chemistry lead to the issue of six U.S. patents. Ron's ceramic materials research touched on most aspects of their manufacture, from starting precursors (synthesis) to the finished article. Within ceramics research he coordinated the company's internal ceramic armor program.