Acoustics expert Henry A. Scarton, associate professor of mechanical, aerospace, and nuclear engineering and director of the Laboratory for Noise and Vibration Control Research at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been named a Life Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

“Professor Scarton has been an important member of the Rensselaer faculty for nearly 40 years, and he brings an incredible amount of enthusiasm, passion, and dedication to his research and teaching,” said Timothy Wei, head of the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Nuclear Engineering at Rensselaer. “I congratulate Henry on his much-deserved election as an ASME fellow.”

The ASME recognized Scarton for his “significant engineering achievements and contributions to the engineering profession.” The professional society presented the award to Scarton on November 15 at a conference in Buena Vista, Florida.

Scarton, who joined the Rensselaer faculty in 1971, is best known for his work in acoustics, vibrations, noise control, and sensors. He holds 17 patents, most of which are in the area of noise control and vibrations. One of Scarton’s most recent patents is a synthetic ivory — trademarked as RPIvory — for use in piano keys. In addition to developing a new hardness scale, Scarton Dynamic Hardness (SDH), and dynamic hardness testing device, Scarton pioneered new analysis methods for acoustic fluid-structural interaction that resulted in several acoustic and physics discoveries.

His current research interests include a six-degree-of-freedom sensor, new novel vibration and acoustic emission sensors, and the development of sensors for determining the integrity of dental implants. Additional thrusts include investigating piano hammer tonal regulation, developing an ultrasonic inspection system for large cylindrical aluminum ingot, devices to measure the dynamic hardness of sports equipment, and dynamic simulation of a baseball on a wooden bat and a softball on an aluminum bat.

The author of more than 80 journal and proceeding papers, Scarton is a co-founder of the ASME Noise Control and Acoustics Division and previously served as secretary of the ASME National Nominating Committee. He is a past vice president of the ASME Environment and Transportation Technical Group, and an active member of ASME Codes and Standards task force. In 1991 he received the ASME Dedicated Service Award, and in 1992 received the Rensselaer Center for Manufacturing Productivity and Technology Transfer Faculty Partner Award.

Scarton received his bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University, and went on to earn his master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University. He served as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Cambridge.