Dr. George C. Wei, of Weston, an internationally-recognized materials scientist, passed away on Wednesday, May 18, 2011.
Dr. Wei was born and raised in Taiwan. He came to Massachusetts in 1971 after his undergraduate education at the National Taiwan University in Physics. He then earned his Ph.D. in Ceramics Materials Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His professional career started as a Eugene P. Wigner Fellow at the Oak Ridge National Laboratories in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Dr. Wei later joined GTE Laboratories and OSRAM Sylvania in Massachusetts as a senior staff scientist. His intellectual curiosity was awarded dozens of US and European patents for his scientific advancements. He was also honored with multiple awards as a Fellow of both the World Academy of Ceramics and the American Ceramic Society. The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu, also acknowledged his work to bring about a sustainable energy future: "Your work on whisker-toughened ceramic composites astonishingly improved fracture resistance. Research of this kind is one of the National Laboratory's finest accomplishments, and I am glad that our laboratories attract accomplished and dedicated individuals like you. Your work in the private sector has been celebrated in numerous published articles as well as dozens of patented works. These accomplishments have earned you recognition from your peers and as a distinguished innovator. Thank you for your many contributions and for your tireless dedication to the advancement of materials sciences."
Dr. George Wei's inventions were able to bring scientific discoveries into real-world improvements. They include advances in toughened ceramics able to perform over a wide temperature range, transparent ceramics found in industrial lighting, strong reinforced silicon carbide materials found in cutting tools, and advanced light-transforming materials for energy-efficient lighting. Notably, for everyone who ever drives along a road, highway or tunnel lit by street lamps, they will probably have witnessed the direct result of Dr. Wei's discoveries in lighting materials.
Dr. Wei is survived by his loving wife, children, grandchildren, relatives and many good friends.
A service will be held on Friday, May 27, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road (Off Rte 30), Wayland followed by a private burial in Linwood Cemetery in Weston.
In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, his family asks for your prayers for this beloved scientist.
For on-line condolences and directions please visit www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.