Testing of Materials in Extreme Environments

Dr. Carmen Carney is the Hypersonics Key Initiative Lead at the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, AFRL, Wright Patterson Air Force Base. She serves as the primary focal point for materials and manufacturing technologies for hypersonic systems.  As part of her role she identifies new technology developments and transition opportunities, leading a team of over 40 S&Es to execute these programs. Dr. Carney also serves as the Senior Technical Advisor to the OSW ManTech Hypersonics portfolio where she leads the cross-service Manufacturing of Carbon-Carbon Composites for Hypersonic Applications (MOC3HA) program working with industry to strengthen the C-C industrial base.

Dr. Carney entered the Air Force in March 2014 after working for 7 years as an onsite research contractor in the field of high temperature ceramics and composites.  She has 17 years of experience in developing, testing, and characterizing high temperature composites and ceramics both as a researcher and program manager.  She has authored over 30 peer reviewed papers, two review articles, a book chapter, and multiple presentations on both high temperature ceramic and composite processing methods and test evaluation.

Erica L. Corral is a professor and distinguished scholar of materials science and engineering at the University of Arizona. She focuses on advancing the fundamental understanding of high-temperature materials for use in hypersonic applications.

Corral has over 20 years of experience in the subject matter of manufacturing ultra-high temperature ceramics and their behavior under high enthalpy flow environments relevant to hypersonics. She also serves on the leadership team to The University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics (UCAH) and contributes her technical expertise on the UCAH Interim Governance Board, as co-director, and on the Consortium Engagement Board focusing on industry engagement and technology transition.