Yeram S. Touloukian

Yeram Sarkis Touloukian (December 28, 1920 – June 12, 1981) was an American professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Thermophysical Properties Research Center (now known as CINDAS) at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He was world-renowned for his work in thermophysics and his name has become synonymous with the field of thermophysical properties.

Early life

Touloukian was born December 28, 1920, of Armenian parents in Istanbul, Turkey. He received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey in 1939. Following the completion of his degree, Touloukian went to the United States to pursue his graduate studies. He received his master's degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1941 and his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from Purdue University in 1946.

While attending MIT in 1942, Touloukian was chairman of The M.I.T. East and West Association; an association that was organized to encourage mutual understanding between students from the East and the West.

Touloukian married Hersil Istanbullu on August 8, 1948, in London, England after a long distance courtship.

Career at Purdue University

After completing his Ph.D., Touloukian became an instructor at Purdue University. He was appointed to the position of Assistant Professor in the School of Mechanical Engineering in 1948, Associate Professor in 1953, and Full Professor in 1957. He became Distinguished Alcoa Professor of Engineering in 1967, and in 1970 was honored once again to the Chair of Distinguished Atkins Professor of Engineering.

Expansion and restructuring The Air Force established the Department of Defense (DoD) Thermophysical Properties Information Center (TPIC) at the TPRC in 1960. The National Bureau of Standards selected TPRC in 1964 as one of the first three external centers to become a component of the National Standard Reference Data System (NSRDS). The National Science Foundation established the Underground Excavation and Rock Properties Information Center (UERPIC) at TPRC in 1972. The Defense Logistics Agency moved the Electronic Properties Information Center (EPIC) from Hughes Aircraft Company to Purdue University to merge with TPRC's TPIC in 1973, which resulted in the DoD Thermophysical and Electronic Properties Information Analysis Center (TEPIAC) of TPRC.

Due to the enlargement and scope of its operation by the addition of UERPIC, EPIC, and TEPIAC, the TPRC was restructured in 1974 to become the Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS), which comprises all four of the centers.

Recipients

Honors and awards The Gold Medal Award of the Associazione Termotecnica Italiana (1968) The American Society of Mechanical Engineers Heat Transfer Memorial Award (1974) The International Thermal Conductivity Conference Award (1977) The Award of the International Thermophysics Congress (1981 - posthumously)