Chad Barklay

Dr. Barklay, Space & Power Systems Director, oversees the design, fabrication, and testing of space power systems at the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI). He manages a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technical staff to execute advanced research and development initiatives sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DOD), and commercial entities. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Barklay has led efforts related to the assembly, testing, and transport of Radioisotope Power System (RPS) units. He has also contributed his expertise to multiple DOE and NASA programmatic review committees in relevant technical domains.

Dr. Barklay is a paratrooper, combat veteran, and retired Colonel from the U.S. Army Reserve.

• Ph.D., Materials Engineering, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
• M.S., Materials Engineering, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
• M.A., National Security and Strategic Studies, Naval War College, Newport, RI
• B.S., Materials Science Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, OH

• Honorary Visiting Fellow, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester
• Achievement Award, Next Generation RTG, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
• Achievement Award, Mars Science Laboratory, NASA
• Mahan Scholar, U.S. Naval War College
• Pacesetter Award, Argonne National Laboratory
• Outstanding Achievement Award, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
• Award of Excellence, Director of Military Applications, Department of Defense (DoD)
• Recognition Award, Cassini–Huygens mission, NASA
• Group Achievement Award, Cassini–Huygens mission - RTG/RHU Team, NASA
• Competitive Tuition Scholarship, Dayton Area Graduate Studies Institute (DAGSI)

• Sherick, K.S., Ray, A., Berneron, P., Tolson, B.A., Barklay, C.D., and Heijer, M., “Feasibility of a Small Low-Power RTG Concept Utilizing a GPHS Heat Source,” Nuclear Technology, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00295450.2024.2369825.
• Barklay, C.D., “Chapter 1: The Invention History of Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators (RTGs) for Space Exploration,” The Technology of Discovery: Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators and Thermoelectric Technologies for Space Exploration, Woerner, D.F. Ed., Wiley Publishing, 2/1/23, ISBN: 978-1119811367
• Barklay, C.D., Caillat, T., et al., “Chapter 10: Advanced US RTG Technologies in Development,” The Technology of Discovery: Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators and Thermoelectric Technologies for Space Exploration, Woerner, D.F. Ed., Wiley Publishing, 2/1/23, ISBN: 978-1119811367
• Sherick, K, Hoffman, R, Ray, A., Berneron, P., Tolson, B.A., Whiting, C.E., Barklay, C.D., and den Heijer, M., “Development of a Small-Low Power Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Using the General Purpose Heat Source,” IEEE: Aerospace, Big Sky, MT, March 2024.
• C.D. Barklay, R. Hoffman, G. Pohl, B. Williams, "A Novel Approach Design for Post-Reentry Impact Survivability of Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Fuel,” IEEE Aerospace, Big Sky, MT, March 2023.
• T. DeMichael, H. Wang, R. Venkatasubramanian, C.D. Barklay, I. Chi, J-P. Fleurial, “SiGe Task Force Risk Mitigation Assessment,” NGRTG-RPT-0020, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, 71 pages.
• H. Wang, R. Venkatasubramanian, C.D. Barklay, I. Chi, J-P. Fleurial, T. DeMichael, “SiGe Task Force FY21 Round Robin Testing Results,” NGRTG-RPT-0021, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH, 20 pages.
• C.D. Barklay, N. Duckwitz, E. George, G. Hula, S. Johnson, D.P. Kramer, J. Lopez-Barlow, R.G. Miller, R. Mulford, G. Ulrich, R. Wingo, “Mars 2020 Iridium Safety Review Summary Report,” INL-LTD-18-44322, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, January 2018, 53 pages.
• R. Mesalam, H. R. Williams, R. M. Ambrosi, D. P. Kramer, C. D. Barklay, J. Jorge-Canadas, K. Stephenson, D. P. Weston, “Impedance Spectroscopy Characterization of Neutron Irradiated Thermoelectric Modules for Space Nuclear Power,” AIP Advances 9, 055006 (2019); doi.org/10.1063/1.5095619
• C.D. Barklay, D. P. Kramer, C.E. Whiting, R.M. Hoffman, A.B. Morgan, J.C. Giglio, R.M. Ambrosi, R. Mesalam, H. Noravian, “Phase 1 - Proof of Concept for a Cascaded Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (cMMRTG),” UDR-TR-2019-2, University of Dayton Research Institute, Dayton, OH, January 2019, 79 pages.
• C.D. Barklay, N. Duckwitz, E. George, G. Hula, S. Johnson, D.P. Kramer, J. Lopez-Barlow, R.G. Miller, R. Mulford, G. Ulrich, R. Wingo, “Mars 2020 Iridium Safety Review Summary Report,” INL-LTD-18-44322, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID, January 2018, 53 pages
• J.H. Matonic C.D. Barklay, G.H. Rinehart, C.E. Whiting, “Chapter 30. Use of Plutonium in Heat Sources and Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators,” The Plutonium Handbook, 2nd Ed.; Clark, D.L; Geeson, D.A.; Hanrahan, R.J.; Editors, American Nuclear Society, In Press, 2018, ISBN: 978-0-89448-201-4.
• Woerner, D., et al. "Next-Generation Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator Study Final Report." JPL D99657, NASA Radioisotope Power Subsystem Program, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 2017.
• Whiting, C.E.; Du, M.; Felker, L.K.; Wham, R.M.; Barklay, C.D.; Kramer, D.P. “Kinetics of the High Temperature Oxygen Exchange Reaction on 238PuO2 Powder” J. Nucl. Mater., v.467, Part 2, December 2015, p. 770-777.
• C.E. Whiting, C.D. Barklay, D.P. Kramer, E.A. Kaufman, and J.M. Douglas, “Mechanisms and Kinetics of the Oxygen Exchange Reaction with CeO2 at High Temperatures” Solid State Ionics, 2015, 272, 18-23.
• C.E. Whiting, J.M. Douglas, B.M. Cremeans, C.D. Barklay, D.P. Kramer, “Oxygen exchange reaction kinetics for cerium(IV) oxide at 1000°C,” Journal of Solid State Chemistry, Volume 218, October 2014, Pages 116–123.
• R.A. Brockman, D.P. Kramer, C.D. Barklay, D. Cairns-Gallimore, J.L. Brown, J.C. Hurling, and C.E. Van Pelt, “Modeling of Selected Ceramic Processing Parameters Employed in the Fabrication of 238PuO2 Fuel Pellets,” Physics Procedia 20 (2011) 397-403, Elsevier B.V.- Publisher.
• C. D. Barklay, D. P. Kramer, and J Talnagi (2007) “Investigation of Effects of Neutron Radiation on Tantalum Alloys for Radioisotope Power System Applications,” in the proceedings of Space Technology and Applications International Forum (STAIF-2007), edited by M.S. El-Genk, Melville, NY, AIP Conf. Proc. 880.