Erik Schwarzkopf
About Erik Schwarzkopf
Erik Schwarzkopf is a Senior R&D Engineer at MTS Systems, recognized for his expertise in coupon testing of engineered metals and composites. He holds multiple degrees in Metallurgy and Material Science from Columbia University and has over 25 years of experience in materials testing and system engineering.
Work at MTS Systems
Erik Schwarzkopf has been employed at MTS Systems as a Senior R&D Engineer since 2012. In this role, he focuses on designing and commissioning systems for testing various materials, including biomaterials, rheological materials, and geological materials. His responsibilities include collaborating with marketing teams to develop systems tailored to specific market needs and working closely with operations and manufacturing teams to ensure that systems are buildable, maintainable, and upgradable.
Education and Expertise
Erik Schwarzkopf has an extensive educational background in metallurgy and material science. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Carleton College, followed by multiple degrees from Columbia University, including a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science, and a Doctor of Engineering Science in Metallurgy and Material Science. He also holds a Master of Science in Management of Technology from the University of Minnesota. With over 25 years of experience, he is recognized as a subject matter expert in coupon testing of engineered metals and composites.
Background
Erik Schwarzkopf's academic journey began at The Lawrenceville School, where he studied from 1975 to 1978. He then pursued a BA in Physics at Carleton College from 1978 to 1982. Following this, he attended Columbia University, where he studied Metallurgy and Material Science, achieving multiple degrees from 1983 to 1989. He further enhanced his qualifications with a Master of Science in Management of Technology from the University of Minnesota from 2000 to 2002.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Erik Schwarzkopf has made significant contributions to materials testing and engineering. He has expertise in fracture toughness testing and crack growth measurement, and he has worked on optimizing small specimen testing for additive manufacturing. His innovative approach includes developing a method using blue LEDs for better video extensometry in testing chambers. He has also contributed to research on fatigue testing of additively manufactured metallic materials and has addressed challenges in thermomechanical fatigue testing.