Southern Research today announced that Daniel Duke, Ph.D., P.E., will lead its newest engineering department, the Engineering Solutions Group. The group will resolve engineering challenges through methods ranging from classical approaches to contemporary high level computational methods, while enhancing Southern Research engineering service to existing clients and opening doors into new markets. "The Engineering Solutions Group will expand our engineering expertise, providing a complementary service that is applicable in most of our core business areas," said Michael D. Johns, vice president of the Engineering Division at Southern Research. "We have long been known for our expertise in physical testing and characterization in the high-temperature materials sector, complex systems design and construction and environmental research. With the addition of this modeling and simulation business, we now provide a wide range of comprehensive engineering services that can tackle projects from power plant failure investigations to complex design and modeling of next generation space systems." Johns said he expects the new department to ramp up quickly and to grow by leveraging the Engineering Division's 60-plus years of experience and resources and by working with university partners to develop joint programs. "Computer modeling and simulation are cost-effective tools that can guide design and product development processes by revealing design flaws and demonstrating design improvements well before a prototype or a product is built," said Duke. "So much of Southern Research's engineering reputation is based on problem-solving, and taking on the tough challenges. The Engineering Solutions Group will add a substantial evaluative component to what we already do." Duke said this group will go well beyond theoretical analysis into product development and design, failure analysis, design optimization, field vibration analysis and problem solving. "While this group will support and enhance the research efforts of Southern Research, the department will also open up new areas where near-term problem solving is a critical issue," he added. "Many clients value research if it leads directly to solving their particular problem. That is what the Engineering Solutions group is about -- solving problems." "One of my most rewarding experiences as an engineer was in performing some of the design for the Pentagon renovation prior to the Sept. 11 attacks, and then providing engineering support to the rebuilding effort," said Duke. "Some of the renovations completed before 9-11 were credited in helping to save lives during the attack. We were all saddened by the attack, and my efforts were a small piece of a very large puzzle, but it was rewarding to be involved." Earlier in Duke's career, he worked in industry before joining UAB in 1983 where he served several years on the faculty of the Dept. of Civil Engineering. There he conducted applied research in solid mechanics and taught various courses in structures and solid mechanics including Finite Element Analysis and Structural Dynamics. Since 1991, he has worked as an independent consultant for equipment manufacturers, design engineers, product development specialists and end-users located all across the United States. End products and facilities include industrial, commercial, government, defense and anti- terrorist applications for both domestic and international locations. Duke earned both his Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in Engineering from UAB. His undergraduate focus was in Machine Design while his master's work was primarily associated with Structural Mechanics. He received his Ph.D. in Engineering Mechanics from The University of Alabama where his doctoral research involved nonlinear finite element analysis. He is a registered Professional Engineer in several states including Alabama.