Faculty Directory
Rob Kelly headshot
RK

Robert G. Kelly

Professor
Co-Director
+1 (434) 982-5783
Unit: School of Engineering and Applied Science
Department: Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Office location and address
Wilsdorf Hall, Room 328
395 McCormick Rd
Charlottesville, Virginia 22903
Education
B.E.S. Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 1984
​​M.S. Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 1986
Ph.D. Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, 1989
Post-Doc ​University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, 1988-90
Biography

Robert G. Kelly has been conducting research on the corrosion of metals for the past 30 years. After completing his Ph.D. studies at Johns Hopkins University (1989), he spent two years at the Corrosion and Protection Centre at the University of Manchester (UK) as a Fulbright Scholar and as an NSF/NATO Post-doctoral Fellow. He joined the faculty of the University of Virginia in 1990. His past work has included work on the corrosion of metals and alloys in marine environments, non-aqueous and mixed solvents as well as stress-corrosion cracking and other forms of localized corrosion. His present work includes studies of the electrochemical and chemical conditions inside localized corrosion sites in various alloy systems, corrosion in aging aircraft, development of embeddable corrosion microinstruments, microfabrication methods to probe the fundamentals of localized corrosion, and multi-scale modeling of corrosion processes. He has co-authored over one hundred papers, presented fifty invited talks and is the Co-Director of the Center for Electrochemical Science and Engineering at UVA. He was selected as the recipient of the 1997 A. B. Campbell Award for the best paper by an author 35 years old or younger and the 1999 H. H. Uhlig Award for young corrosion educators from the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, and the H.H. Uhlig Award from the Electrochemical Society. He is also a Fellow of NACE International. He has won several teaching awards while at UVA, including an All University Teaching Award in 2004. He was the 2001 recipient of the Robert T. Foley Award from the National Capital Section of the Electrochemical Society. He has rendered technical assistance to the NRC and DOE concerning the Yucca Mountain Project, the USAF Aging Aircraft Program, the NASA Safety and Engineering Center, and the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial design team. He has supervised 20 Ph.D. students to completion as well as 18 M.S. students.

Recent sponsored awards as provided by ResearchUVA:
EN- MSE- Durable Sol-Gel Surface Treatment to Control Cathodic Current Density
Source: Luna Innovations, Inc.
August 12, 2021 – September 22, 2023
Modelling galvanic corrosion of aerospace fasteners and plates under thin electrolyte film conditions
Source: Virginia Space Grant Consortium
September 01, 2022 – August 31, 2023
Physics-Based Modeling of Corrosion Protection Modes and Coating Degradation
Source: U.S. DOD - Navy - Office Of Naval Research (Onr)
July 01, 2019 – June 30, 2023
Modeling and Property Measurement Tools for Corrosion Resistant Aircraft Design and Maintenance
Source: Luna Innovations, Inc.
May 03, 2021 – June 25, 2023
Study of the Relative Localized Corrosion and Cracking Susceptibility of Additively Manufactured and Wrought Corrosion Resistant Alloys
Source: U.S. DOD - Navy - Office Of Naval Research (Onr)
June 01, 2018 – May 31, 2023
Measurement and Modeling of the Embrittlement of Martensitic Stainless Steels
Source: Rolls-Royce Corporation
April 08, 2021 – March 31, 2023
Metal Rich Primers to Mitigate Multiple Forms of Corrosion Including Environmental Cracking for High Performance Alloys
Source: U.S, DOD - Air Force Academy
June 01, 2018 – December 31, 2022
Educational Institution Contract
Source: U.S. DOE - National Lab - Sandia
April 30, 2020 – September 30, 2022
Development and Experimental Validation of Pitting and SCC Models for Welded Stainless Steel Dry Storage Containers Exposed to Atmospheric Environments
Source: U.S. DOE - National Lab - Idaho
October 01, 2019 – September 30, 2022
Final assessment of the loading rate dependence of stress corrosion cracking susceptibility metrics across multiple alloy systems
Source: U.S. NASA - Langley
January 01, 2022 – July 31, 2022
Assessing the loading rate dependence of stress corrosion cracking susceptibility metrics across multiple alloy systems
Source: U.S. NASA - Langley
March 24, 2020 – December 31, 2021
Predicting Pit Initiation of Stainless Steel using the Chloride Susceptibility Index
Source: Dnv Gl Usa, Inc.
September 01, 2020 – September 30, 2021
EN-MSE Understanding and modeling the inhibitor-based mitigation of atmospherically induced structural degradation of galvanically coupled airframe components
Source: U.S. DOD - Navy - Office Of Naval Research (Onr)
January 01, 2017 – September 29, 2021
Characterization and Analysis of Localized Corrosion on Stainless Steels in Near Marine Atmospheres
Source: U.S. DOE - National Lab - Sandia
June 01, 2019 – August 31, 2021
Analysis of Glavanic Coupling between Stainless Steel and Aluminum Alloys in Fastener/Plate Configurations - Skelton
Source: Virginia Space Grant Consortium
August 01, 2019 – July 31, 2021
Assessing the loading rate dependence of stress corrosion cracking susceptibility metrics across multiple alloy systems
Source: U.S. Nasa - Langley
March 24, 2020 – December 31, 2020
Atmospheric Corrosion of Stainless Steels at Elevated Chloride and Temperatures
Source: Virginia Space Grant Consortium
August 01, 2019 – July 31, 2020
SHUTDOWNDevelopment and Experimental Validation of Pitting and SCC Models for Welded Stainless Steel Dry Storage Containers Exposed to Atmospheric Environments
Source: U.S. Department Of Energy - Chicago
October 01, 2019 – February 28, 2020
EN- MSE- Durable Sol-Gel Surface Treatment to Control Cathodic Current Density
Source: Luna Innovations, Inc.
September 01, 2016 – December 20, 2019
EN-MSE Research by UVa in Support of Technical Corrosion Collaboration for Call 0015
Source: U.S, DOD - Air Force Academy
September 30, 2014 – September 29, 2019
Additive Manufacturing for Enabling Applied Research in Mission Ready Components: Environmental Degradation and Aerospace Propulsion at UVA
Source: U.S. DOD - Navy - Office Of Naval Research (Onr)
August 15, 2018 – August 14, 2019
Galvanic Corrosion Modeling for Air Force Tankers
Source: Luna Innovations, Inc.
January 14, 2019 – August 13, 2019
Improvement of Accelerated Corrosion Testing through in-situ Measurement
Source: Virginia Space Grant Consortium
August 01, 2018 – July 31, 2019
Laboratory and Field Measurements of IGC and IGSCC of Marine Aluminum Alloys in Support of Model Validation
Source: U.S. DOD - Navy - Office Of Naval Research (Onr)
September 01, 2017 – February 28, 2019
Initial Study of the Relative Localized Corrosion Susceptibility of Additively Manufactuerd and Wrought Corrosion Resistant Alloys
Source: U.S. DOD - Navy - Office Of Naval Research (Onr)
June 01, 2017 – November 30, 2018
EN-MSE Mechanistic Studies of Intergranular Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracking Under Atmospheric Exposure Conditions
Source: U.S. DOD - Navy - Office Of Naval Research (Onr)
May 27, 2016 – June 30, 2018
EN-MSE Investigations of High Rate Dissolution of Corrosion Resistant Alloys in Organic Solvents EN-MSE Investigations of High Rate Dissolution of Corrosion Resistant Alloys in Organic Solvents
Source: Teva Branded Pharmaceutical Products R&D, Inc.
June 15, 2017 – March 31, 2018
EN-MSE Collaborative University Research on Corrosion OUSD Education Intitiative
Source: U.S, DOD - Air Force Academy
October 01, 2013 – September 30, 2017
MD-INMD-Shared Clinical AnaLytic Environment (SCALE)
Source: The Mitre Corporation
October 01, 2016 – September 30, 2017
EN-MSE Developing a Framework for Accelerated Test Design by Investigating Key Testing Variables & Their Impact on the Exfoliation Corrosion of AA2060
Source: Virginia Space Grant Consortium
June 01, 2015 – May 31, 2017
EN-MSE Mechanistic Studies of Intergranular Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracking Under Atmospheric Exposure Conditions
Source: U.S. DOD - Navy - Office Of Naval Research (Onr)
March 28, 2014 – March 31, 2017
EN-MSE Understanding and Modeling the Influence of Galvanic Coupling on the Structural Degradation of Airframe Components
Source: U.S. DOD - Navy - Office Of Naval Research (Onr)
October 01, 2013 – December 31, 2016
EN-MSE New Test Methods for Filiform Corrosion
Source: PPG Industries, Inc.
January 01, 2016 – December 31, 2016
EN-MSE Development of a Dynamic Accelerated Corrosion Test Method
Source: U.S. DOD - Army Corps of Engineers
July 20, 2009 – December 30, 2016
EN-MSE Investigation and Coating Degraduation Processes on Modern High-Performance Alloys that Affect Air and Land Vehicle Structural Integrity
Source: U.S, DOD - Air Force Academy
September 01, 2012 – November 30, 2016
EN-MSE Surface Modification Process to Limit Cathodic Current Density
Source: Luna Innovations, Inc.
August 18, 2014 – November 27, 2015
Investigation of Selected Atmospheric Corrosion Processes on Modern High-Performance Ferrous Alloys that Affect Structural Integrity: Development of Predictive Capabilities and Test Methods
Source: U.S, DOD - Air Force Academy
April 05, 2010 – September 30, 2015
Investigation of Selected Atmospheric Corrosion Processes on Modern High-Performance Ferrous Alloys that Affect Structural Integrity
Source: U.S, DOD - Air Force Academy
October 01, 2011 – September 30, 2015
EN-MSE Corrosion Study of Erosion/Corrosion Coatings on Compressor Blades
Source: Rolls-Royce Corporation
January 01, 2013 – December 31, 2014
EN-MSE Corrision Studies of Rolls Royce Aircraft Compressor Blades and Materials
Source: Rolls-Royce Corporation
August 01, 2014 – December 31, 2014
EN-MSE Role of grain orientation, alloy composition/heat-treatment, and atmospheric conditions on th erates of intergranular corrosion and stress-corrosion cracking of Al-Mg alloys
Source: U.S. DOD - Navy - Office Of Naval Research (Onr)
June 15, 2013 – October 14, 2014
Effect of Potential Duty Cycle on the Kinetics of ICCP Anodes
Source: U.S. DOD - Navy - Office Of Naval Research (Onr)
December 27, 2012 – December 26, 2013
Development & Validation of an Integrated Intergranular Corrosion/Cracking Model of Al-Mg Alloys for Naval Applications
Source: U.S. DOD - Navy - Office Of Naval Research (Onr)
January 01, 2008 – September 30, 2013
Recent courses as listed in the Student Information System (SIS) Course Catalog:
MSE 2010: Materials That Shape Our Civilization
Credits: 3
To introduce the issues surrounding long-term sustainability with respect to materials, including scarcity, recycling, climate change, and environmental stress on water resources, land resources and pollution. Scope of the issue at the present day will be discussed and projections of the effects of current patterns of material production, consumption, and recycling will be described. Methods of analysis will be developed.
MSE 2090: Introduction to Materials Science
Credits: 3
The field of Materials Science drives technological innovations underlying all engineering fields. This course provides a scientific foundation to promote a rigorous understanding of materials from an atomistic to macroscopic viewpoint. Material systems (polymers, metals, ceramics, and electronic) are developed sequentially to provide a framework to explain the fundamental, physical origins of observable and important macro scale properties.
ENGR 3501: Special Topics in Engineering
Credits: 3
Special topics in engineering will vary based upon student and faculty interests.
MSE 4960: Special Project in Materials Science and Engineering
Credits: 1–6
A fourth year project in MSE, under the supervision of a faculty member, is designed to give undergraduate students an application of principles learned in the classroom. The work may be experimental or computational, and the student is expected to become proficient in techniques used to process, characterize, or model materials. The project should make use of design principles in the solution of a problem. Six hours in lab per week, notebook. Prerequisite: 4th year standing and prior approval by a faculty member who is project supervisor.
MSE 7993: Independent Study
Credits: 1–12
Detailed study of graduate course material on an independent basis under the guidance of a faculty member.
MSE 8999: Masters Degree Research
Credits: 1–12
Formal record of student commitment to master's thesis research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. May be repeated as necessary.
EP 8999: Master's Degree Research
Credits: 1–12
Formal record of student commitment to master's thesis research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. May be repeated as necessary.
EP 9999: Ph.D. Dissertation Research
Credits: 1–12
Formal record of commitment to doctoral research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. May be repeated as necessary.
MSE 9999: PHD Dissertation Research
Credits: 1–12
Formal record of student commitment to doctoral research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. May be repeated as necessary.

H.H. Uhlig Award of the Corrosion Division of the Electrochemical Society 2016

Appointment as AT&T Professor of Engineering Chair 2013

Sigma Gamma Tau Outstanding Professor of Aerospace Engineering 2012University Academy of Teaching at UVA 2011Fellow, the Electrochemical Society 2010Inaugural Best Paper Award in Corrosion J., NACE International (with J. Scully, N. Taillert, F. Preseul-Moren, M. Goldman) 2010Distinguished Service Award from NACE International (CESE) 2009Rodman Scholars Outstanding Professor Award 2007Fellow, National Association of Corrosion Engineers 2007Harold S. Morton Award for Undergraduate Teaching (SEAS/UVA) 2007NASA Engineering and Safety Center Group Achievement Award 2006UVA MSE Undergraduate Teaching Award 2005All-University Teaching Award 2004Rodman Scholars Outstanding Professor Award 2004Robert T. Foley Award from Natl Capital Section of ECS 2001UVA MSE Undergraduate Teaching Award 2000H. H. Uhlig Award (NACE International) - young educator award 1999A. B. Campbell Award (NACE International) – best paper by young author (< 35 y) 1997University Teaching Fellow 1996-1997Rodman Scholars Award for Excellence in Teaching 1996NSF/NATO Post‑Doctoral Fellowship 1989-90Academic Year - Fulbright Scholarship 1988-89Achievement Reward for College Scientists 1987NSF Graduate Fellowship 1984-86