John Colvin Research Technical Specialist
email: jcolvin@harc.eduphone: 281-364-4039cell: 832-797-8875fax: 281-363-7935
Mr. Colvin is a research scientist within the Energy and Buildings Solutions group at HARC. He is currently the principal investigator and co inventor of a post treatment chemical process known as HARCwood. The HARCwood process enhances the physical characteristics of medium and high density fiberboard products. The HARCwood process is patented in both the US and a number of foreign countries. Two additional patents relating to the HARCwood process and products are pending. HARCwood was displayed in the New Products Show Case at the 2003 Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers Fair in Anaheim California. HARCwood received an Innovative Technology Award for Wood Treatment Processing. The first HARCwood manufacturing facility was established in 2003 in Houston, Texas. Mr. Colvin is currently consulting with Panchem Industries LTD in Auckland, New Zealand, to construct a HARCwood processor to be located at a MDF manufacturing facility in New Zealand. Mr. Colvin has over 30 years experience in equipment design, fabrication and operation of cryogenic and superconducting devices. His experience includes 13 years at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory during the construction and operation of the 15 Foot Bubble Chamber and later the transition of the particle accelerator main ring to superconducting magnets. After joining Texas A&M University’s Department of Physics in 1984, he designed, assembled and maintained a liquid helium cryogenic test facility at HARC to support the testing of superconducting superferric accelerator magnets for the DOE funded Supercollider (SSC) project. In 1992, he joined HARC as a research scientist and modified the cryogenic testing facility to include temperatures down to 1.8 Kelvin for magnetic energy storage research. Projects he has served as the designer and principal investigator include Pratt Whitney RL-10 rocket engine flow bench and the writing of the technical specifications for Johnson Space Center’s 20 Kelvin cryogenics refrigeration systems. Out side of HARC, his interests include woodworking, carpentry, classic car restoration, and physical / strength train. He and his wife work with the Refugee Aid Ministry in cooperation with the Aid Sudan Foundation Houston to provide tutoring in mathematics and physics.
Engineering
Programs & Projects
HARCwood ® (PI)
