If there’s one thing that’s clear about 88-year-old Hans Conrad, he doesn’t work for the money.

“In my work, I am more interested in the science behind something more than the application. I never work on something for the sake of selling it,” Conrad said.

Conrad, professor emeritus in the department of materials science and engineering, has co-written around 450 articles in various journals. He has worked on metals, ceramics and semi-conductors.

He retired in 1993 and works for no salary.

“I love research,” Conrad said.  “When I am having my leisurely cup of coffee in the morning, I start thinking about new ideas.”

Yuntian Zu, professor in the department of materials science and engineering, said one of Conrad’s best qualities is his work ethic.

“Professor Conrad has impressed me the most in his dedication to science and his high spirit and the hard work he puts into doing research,” Zu said.

Conrad only spends a couple of hours on campus each day.

“I do most of my reading and writing at my home in the mornings. I have lunch with my wife and come to campus around 2 p.m. I generally leave around 4:30 p.m.”  Conrad said.

His current research interest is in ceramics.

“I am researching the effect electric field and temperature has on ceramics,” Conrad said. “Ceramics can be made stronger by heating the ingredients at lower temperatures and applying a weak electric field. This saves a lot of energy. This also reduces the cost and pollution in the environment.”

Ten years ago, this effect was discovered; however, it took this long for the findings to be recognized, according to Conrad.

“Once you make a discovery it takes a while for the scientific community to accept it,” Conrad said.

Most of Conrad’s funding comes from the U.S. government and the U.S. Army.  

“I am currently in negotiation with a company that makes body armor for the U.S. soldiers. Most parts of the body armor contain ceramics.  My research can make the bullet-stopping ceramic plates stronger and cheaper to build,” Conrad said.

His research lab contains simple instruments, such as a furnace used to heat ceramics.

“It costs a couple of hundred dollars. This instrument, which is used for molding ceramic samples, is a hand-powered press from an auto repair shop we modified for our use,” Conrad said.

Conrad earned his bachelor of science at Carnegie Institute of Technology and his master’s and doctorate degrees in metallurgy from Yale University.

“I liked math and chemistry in high school. I wanted to do chemical engineering, but my minister encouraged me to become a metallurgical engineer as they are never out of jobs. It is true.” Conrad said.

Conrad began working at N.C. State in 1981.

“I was recruited as the head of the material science department. I helped build the department and got some of the best faculty. N.C. State materials science and engineering is one of the best in the world. I have to give most of the credit to myself. Sometimes when there is lack of funding, I pay my research students from my own pocket,” Conrad said.

Jagdish Narayan, a professor in the department of materials science and engineering and the recipient of the 2011 Acta Materialia Gold Medal and Prize, said he has known Conrad for 40 years, and joined the University in 1983, because Conrad convinced him to do so.

“He has a knack for recognizing good people. We have worked together and it has been a good collaboration. Recently, we both wrote a paper on advanced Nano Technology materials which can be used in deep sea drilling. It will be published this month in a book.”

Narayan said Conrad is a good scientist.

“Dr. Conrad is willing to accept new ideas. He thinks new, outside the box – that is the mark of a great scientist,” Narayan said.

Conrad said he advises students to choose a career they like.

“Choose what you really like, because you will be doing it for the rest of your life. Always have goals in life. When making any big decisions always weigh the pros and cons,” Conrad said.

Conrad said he had a happy family life.

“Mrs. Conrad and I have been married for many years and we have travelled many places together. We have three children, 2 twin girls and a boy who were born within 16 months of each other when I was doing my PhD,” Conrad said in a cheerful voice.

Conrad said he plans to continue to do research as long as he can.

“I will keep doing research as long as God wills. I enjoy it so much, I would be at a loss if I didn’t do it,” Conrad said.