Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- Papers of Massoud T. Simnad (1921-2002), an engineer in nuclear energy and UCSD adjunct professor of materials science and engineering. The collection documents Simnad's work in the field of nuclear reactor technologies and superconductivity and contains files related to his research, consulting, journal articles, grant proposals, and conference papers.
- Extent:
- 8 Linear feet (20 archive boxes and 2 oversize folders)
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
-
Massoud T. Simnad Papers, MSS 577. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The papers of Massoud Simnad (1921-2002), an internationally recognized expert in nuclear energy and UCSD adjunct professor, document his work in nuclear reactor technologies and superconductivity. Files related to his research and consulting work comprise materials pertaining to committee work, correspondence, grant proposals, writings, and subject files. Also included are biographical materials that contain his curriculum vitae and resume, list of publications and patents, photographs, and awards.
The papers are arranged in seven series: 1) BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS, 2) COMMITTEES, 3) CORRESPONDENCE, 4) CONSULTING MATERIALS, 5) GRANT PROPOSALS, 6) WRITINGS, and 7) SUBJECT FILES.
SERIES 1: BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS
The BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS series comprises materials documenting Simnad's recognition with American Nuclear Society Outstanding Achievement Award (1993) and American Nuclear Society Sidney Leadership Award (2002), Simnad's election to the National Academy of Engineering (1995), and his participation in conferences. Also included are his curriculum vitae, resume, supplemental biographical forms, and list of patents. The materials are arranged in alphabetical order by folder title.
SERIES 2: COMMITTEES
The COMMITTEES series documents his involvement in advisory committee work on nuclear reactor technologies and UCSD's Materials Science Program. The series contains program descriptions, agendas, memos, notes, minutes, and correspondence. The materials are arranged in alphabetical order by name of the committee.
SERIES 3: CORRESPONDENCE
The CORRESPONDENCE series documents Simnad's communications with his colleagues in the field of nuclear reactor technologies and superconductivity, as well as his teaching at UCSD. The series is arranged in two subseries: A) General, and B) Alphabetical. The General correspondence subseries follows chronological order. The Alphabetical correspondence subseries is arranged in alphabetical order by name of the correspondent and then in chronological order on folder level.
SERIES 4: CONSULTING MATERIALS
The CONSULTING MATERIALS series documents Simnad's consulting work and comprises correspondence, reports, and reference materials. The series is arranged in alphabetical order by company name for which Simnad provided his services.
SERIES 5: GRANT PROPOSALS
The GRANT PROPOSALS series documents Simand's research which was supported by grant funding. The series is arranged in alphabetical order by title of the grant proposal. Files contain drafts of grant proposals and correspondence.
SERIES 6: WRITINGS
The WRITINGS series comprises reprints of his published chapters in books, articles, and conference presentations as well as notes on various topics. The series is arranged in two subseries: A) Books, Articles, and Conference Presentations and B) Notes.
SERIES 7: SUBJECT FILES
The SUBJECT FILES series contains correspondence, reports, papers, notes, and reference materials primarily related to various aspects of nuclear reactor technologies. The files are arranged in four subseries: A) General, B) Fusion related materials, C) ITER related materials, and D) TRIGA related materials.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Massoud T. Simnad was born in Iran in 1921 and grew up in Istanbul. At the age of 15, he left Istanbul for London where he studied mining engineering at London University's Imperial College of Science and Technology. He earned his B.S. in 1942 and his Ph.D in 1946 at Cambridge University specializing in materials science. After graduation he accepted a guest fellowship at the Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh. From 1949, Simnad lived in the U.S. and served as an educator, technical adviser, and consultant to various academic institutions and scientific corporations. For over thirty years, he worked as senior technical advisor on materials and fuels for nuclear energy and fusion research programs at General Atomics and as an adjunct professor of materials science and engineering at UCSD.
During his career, Simnad wrote three books, published more than 135 scientific articles, and was issued more than 15 patents, including two involving nuclear fuel. He also lectured worldwide and was an authority on the application of materials in the aerospace industry. Simnad was very instrumental in setting up nuclear reactors for General Atomics and in converting nuclear reactors from military to civilian use.
Simnad supported international initiatives leading to scientific exchange in developing civilian applications of nuclear reactors. In April 1977, he helped to organize the first international conference on the transfer of nuclear energy in Shiraz, Iran. In 1994, Simnad was instrumental in arranging a meeting in Vienna for the Federation of American Scientists with the Atomic Energy Commission of Iran. Later in 1999, he participated in a scientific delegation sent by the U.S. for the Congress of Non-Renewable Energy Sources in Tehran, which happened the first time since the Islamic Revolution of 1979.
Simnad was honored in 1993 with the Outstanding Achievement Award by the Materials Science and Technology Division of the American Nuclear Society for his contributions to materials science and technology for nuclear energy. In 1995, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, which is one of the highest honors in his specialty.
Massoud Simnad died in 2002.
- Acquisition information:
- Acquired 2002.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Preferred citation:
-
Massoud T. Simnad Papers, MSS 577. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.
- Location of this collection:
-
9500 Gilman Drive, Dept. 0175La Jolla, CA 92093-0175, US
- Contact:
- (858) 534-2533