James Smith

James W. Smith is a Professor in the Department of Engineering at the University of Southern Maine (USM), part of the College of Science, Technology, & Health. He holds a PhD in Solid State Science from Penn State (1967), alongside earlier degrees in Engineering Mechanics (MS, 1963) and Electrical Engineering (BS, 1961).

Prior to joining USM in 1986, Smith held roles at Corning Glass Works (1967–1975), GTE Sylvania Lighting Laboratories (1976–1978), and GTE Control Devices (1978–1986), focusing on advanced materials research and product development. His scholarly work bridges engineering and education: he investigates failure mechanisms in electroceramic components and explores pedagogical strategies to harmonize liberal arts with professional training.

His publications emphasize applied engineering education, such as integrating technical literature into mechanical engineering curricula and embedding sustainability principles in capstone projects. Though no awards are listed, his career reflects sustained contributions to both technical innovation and educational reform.

No advising or grant details are provided in the text. His affiliation with USM remains current as of the text's publication date.