Mr. Mark Wells

Research Engineer VI, CAO

Contact

301 Sparkman Drive
Optics Building
Room 400K
Huntsville, AL 35899
Campus Map

256.824.2526
mark.wells@uah.edu

Biography

Specialization in Opto-mechanical and precision engineering. Aerospace and Manned spaceflight hardware engineering and design, mechanism design, precision motion systems, metrology frames, materials selection, failure analysis. 35+ total years engineering experience.

Education

  • 1986-1989: Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN : ABD, Completed coursework and research requirements for a Doctoral degree in Materials Engineering with a Mechanical Engineering minor.. Research in Characterization of high temperature Directional Solidif
  • 1983: Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. Thesis topic: “Correlation’s Between Processing Variables and the Optical Properties of Germanium Dioxide Glass”. Minor in Mechanical Engineering
  • 1981: Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering; Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky
  • 1980: Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology; Western Kentucky University, May 1980
  • HAZMAT training and certification 2010
  • Pro-E CAD training 2004
  • NASA continuous risk assessment course 2001
  • Autocad course 1995
  • SPIE short course in Optomechanical Design 1992
  • Vibration analysis shortcourse 1984

Honors & Awards

  • Two NASA Technology Innovation Awards

Patents

  • US Patents: 4932975, 5032172, 7118626, 7198940, 9164111

Recent Publications

  • Development of 90% Hydrogen Peroxide Mono-Propellant Propulsion System for Warm Gas Test Article, Wayne W. Neumaier Jr. , Mark Wells , Anthony Brinkley , Thomas Talty , AIAA Propulsion Conference, 2012. AIAA 2012-3755

  • Wells, M. and A. Brinkley, “From Rocket Belts to Lunar Landings: Peroxide’s Quite Revolution”, HAL5 Technical Presentation, Huntsville, Al. Dec. 1, 2011.

  • Maule JG, Wainwright NR, Steele A, Monaco LA, Morris HC, Gunter DL, Damon M, Wells M. Rapid Culture-Independent Microbial Analysis aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Astrobiology. 2009 October; 9(8): 759-775. DOI: 10.1089/ast.2008.0319. PMID: 19845447.

  • Maule JG, Wainwright NR, Steele A, Gunter DL, Flores GN, Effinger MR, Damon M, Wells M, Williams S, Morris HC, Monaco LA. LOCAD-PTS: Operation of a new system for microbial monitoring aboard the International Space Station. AIAA Space 2008 Conference and Exposition, San Diego, CA; 2008

  • Maule JG, Wainwright NR, Steele A, Gunter DL, Flores GN, Effinger MR, Damon M, Wells M, Williams SL, Morris HC, Monaco LA. Rapid Monitoring of Bacteria and Fungi Aboard the International Space Station. 47th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Orlando, FL; 2009

  • Wells, M. “The Work and Inventions of Thomas Moore”, presentation at the first International Rocketbelt Convention & Bell Aerosystems reunion in Niagra, NY, 2006

  • Wells, M., G. Jenkins, J. Howard, L. Hendrix, A. McPherson, The Observable Protein Crystal Growth Apparatus: A Compact Diagnostic Crystal Growth System for Space Flight Application, Montreal Spacebound Conference Proceedings, 2000

  • McPherson A., Malkin A., Kusnetsov Y., Koszelak S., Wells M., Jenkins G., Howard J., Lawson G., The Effects of Microgravity on Protein Crystallization: evidence for concentration gradients around growing crystals. Journal of Crystal Growth 196 (1999)572-586

  • Wells, M., T. Cole, A. Kathman, S. Koszelak, A. McPherson, “Development of a Compact Diagnostic Intensive Protein Crystal Growth System for Space Flight Application”, AIAA Space Programs and Technologies Conference, September 28, 1994.

  • Overfelt, R.A., M. Wells, C. Matlock, “Viscosity of Superalloy 718 by the Oscillating Vessel Technique”, Metallurgical and Materials Transactions, Vol. 27B, Aug. 1996.