Graham Charles Wood facts for kids

Graham Charles Wood, a famous scientist who studied how metals wear out.

Graham Charles Wood (born 6 February 1934, died 4 November 2016) was an important English scientist. He was known as a corrosion scientist, which means he studied how materials, especially metals, break down or wear away over time, like when iron rusts. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), a very high honor for scientists.

Early Life and Education

Graham Charles Wood was born in a town called Farnborough. He was very interested in how materials work. He went to the famous University of Cambridge to study metallurgy. Metallurgy is the science of metals, including how they are made, how they behave, and how they can be used.

After finishing his first degree, he continued his advanced research at Cambridge. This extra study helped him become an expert in his field.

Career in Manchester

After his time at Cambridge, Graham Wood moved to Manchester. This is where he spent most of his career studying corrosion.

Starting at Manchester College

He began working at the Manchester College of Science and Technology. This college is now part of the University of Manchester. He joined the Department of Chemical Engineering. Here, he taught students about corrosion science.

Leading a New Centre

In 1972, Graham Wood did something very important. He created and led the Corrosion and Protection Centre at UMIST. UMIST stands for the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. He became a professor of corrosion science there. This centre became a leading place for studying how to protect materials from damage.

Helping Businesses

In 1973, he also helped start a company called Corrosion and Protection Centre Industrial Service (CAPCIS). This company offered advice to businesses on how to prevent corrosion. It is now part of a larger company called Intertek.

Leadership and Honors

Graham Wood was a respected leader in his field. He held many important positions in science organizations.

Professional Roles

• He was the President of the Corrosion and Protection Association.
• He also led the Institution of Corrosion Science and Technology, which is now called the Institute of Corrosion.
• He chaired the National Council for Corrosion Societies.

International Work

Graham Wood also worked on an international level. For 15 years, he was a representative for the UK on the International Corrosion Council. He even served as the vice-chair and then the chair of this important global group.

University Leadership

At UMIST, he took on many leadership roles. He was the vice-principal for academic development. He also served as a dean and a pro-vice chancellor. These roles meant he helped manage the university and guide its academic programs.

Major Awards

Because of his important work, Graham Wood received high honors:

• In 1990, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. This is a special recognition for engineers.
• In 1997, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is one of the oldest and most respected scientific organizations in the world.