Scott A. Wright, Ph.D.

Dr. Wright’s expertise includes circuit failure analysis, fire investigation, prototype characterization, microscale devices, plasma science, and spectroscopy. He has investigated incidents involving electrical fires and numerous electrical products that were alleged to have caused fires.

During his career at Exponent, Dr. Wright spent over six months overseas in Afghanistan and Jordan as an engineer developing technology for the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense. This technology was integrated with the ongoing effort through his work with and training of the Royal Engineering soldiers and officers.

At the University of Michigan, Dr. Wright’s research focused on the design and fabrication of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and the circuits that interfaced with these devices. His devices utilized microdischarges to operate as sensors and actuators, both individually and within larger analysis systems. He developed new microdischarge-based pressure and chemical sensing methods for environmental monitoring in subterranean environments up to 1,000˚C. Through prototype device characterization, he gained extensive experience using electrical test equipment. Dr. Wright’s research also involved growing and analyzing nanowires using SEMs.

While working for Bell Laboratories LGS Innovations he determined the transmission properties of lightweight vehicle armor and measured the transmission properties of multiferroric materials for potential memory storage applications. Dr. Wright also worked for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space where he evaluated satellite hardware and software. While at UCLA he created the EEWeb website that is still used to organize and present all coursework and grades throughout the School of Engineering. Dr. Wright also started the Globe Shares charity and served as a volunteer on various projects around the world.

Loud JD, Wright SA. Electrical codes and the expert witness. IEEE Industry Applications Society Annual Seminar – Electrical Design and Application, Pleasanton, CA, 2011.

Wright SA, Zipperian HA, Gianchandani YB. A 15 atm. pressure sensor utilizing microdischarges in a 1.6 mm3 ceramic package. Solid-State Sensors and Actuators Workshop Technical Digest 2010, 53–56.

Gianchandani YB, Wright SA, Eun CK, Wilson CG, Mitra B. Exploring microdischarges for portable sensing applications. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 2009, 395(3):559–575.

Wright SA, Gianchandani YB. Contaminant gas removal using thin-film Ti electrode microdischarges. Applied Physics Letters 2009; 95(11):11504 (1–3).

Wright SA, Gianchandani YB. Discharge-based pressure sensors for high temperature applications using three-dimensional and planar microstructures. IEEE Journal of Microelectromech Systems 2009; 18(3):736–743.

Wright SA, Gianchandani YB. A micromachined quartz and steel pressure sensor operating up to 1,000ºC and 2,000 torr. IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems Technical Digest 2009, 841–844.

Wright SA. Microdischarge-based pressure controlling devices and their applications to chemical sensing in harsh environments. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Michigan, 2009.

Wright SA, Gianchandani YB. Microdischarge-based pressure sensors for operation at 1000ºC. Solid-State Sensors and Actuators Workshop Technical Digest 2008, 332–335.

Wright SA, Gianchandani YB. Controlling pressure in microsystem packages by on-chip microdischarges between thin film titanium electrodes. Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B 2007; 25(5):1711–1720.

Wright SA, Gianchandani YB. A harsh environment, multi-plasma microsystem with pressure sensor, gas purifier, and chemical detector. IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems Technical Digest 2007, 115–118.

Wright SA, Gianchandani YB. A micromachined titanium sputter ion pump for cavity pressure control. IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems Technical Digest 2006; 754–757.

Presentations and Published Abstracts

Loud JD, Wright SA. Electrical codes and the expert witness. IEEE Industry Applications Society Annual Seminar – Electrical Design and Application, Pleasanton, CA, 2011.

Wright SA, Gianchandani YB. Microdischarge-based pressure sensors utilizing multiple cathodes for operation up to 1000°C. American Physical Society Gaseous Electronics Conference, Saratoga Springs, NY, 2009.

• Founder and Director, Globe Shares Inc., 2009–present
• Research Scientist, Bell Laboratories LGS Innovations, Fall 2008
• Graduate Research Assistant, University of Michigan, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2005–2008
• Graduate Instructor, University of Michigan, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 2004–2005
• Test Engineer, Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Summer 2003

• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers—IEEE
• Order of the Engineer (member)