Additional Information
San Diego, CA, USA · gregory.durnan@gmail.com · durnan.org
Summary of Key Professional Accomplishments
RF and electronic systems designer with over a dozen years of direct low-level design experience across a range of industries, during which time a range of products were successfully produced in each of these roles. These include:
Achieved repeatable algorithmic based mode control of the energy within microwave ovens and published the results leading to possibly the first paper at IMPI to show completely flat cooking profiles.
Designed approximately 30 resonators for use in NMR including one of the world's highest frequency birdcage resonators, operating at 900MHz for 21 Tesla scientific NMR at the National High Field Laboratory, Florida. Results using this coil were published in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Vol. 177 (2005).
Lead engineer in the prototyping efforts and initial trial of a 16-channel phased array for the next generation General Electric 1.5 Tesla "HDX" MRI scanner.
Lead engineer in the production of the "Freescale RF Power Tool" test instrument released at the International Microwave Symposium 2014. Named top product of 2014 by Microwaves and RF magazine (Dec 2014).
One of the first patent applicants to introduce Antenna on Package integrating IEEE 802.11 silicon die with an integrated Antenna molded onto the package for a high performance, single chip solution.
Worked on Australia's only domestically designed and produced GSM handset - "Voxson Blue".
Wrote one of only a small handful of available Physical Optics electromagnetic simulation engine codes as part of my PhD.
Successfully designed and built a VHF radar for determination of Ice depth as part of my Honors program with the intention of measuring the change in Antarctic ice sheets due to global warming. Awarded first class Honors for this work.
Worked on some of the world's highest precision commercially available RTK GPS engines (cm level accuracy) at Hemisphere GPS providing RF design expertise to receiver front ends and validation of a custom front end mixed signal ASIC in collaboration with Maxim Semiconductor. Aided in development of a unique line of OEM boards and marine compass solutions.
Management responsibility for building up the Antenna design and testing facility at Hemisphere GPS from initial conception for 6 years. This included contract negotiation and construction of an anechoic testing chamber and R&D of new antenna concepts, leading to 2 patents - one of which was broad ranging in scope covering unique broadband antennas and anti-jamming technology.
Some unique work in the use of Microwaves in Civil Engineering applications – particularly waste. The dissertations at CDU and KSU are commercially locked for 2 years and patents are pending on its use – Salt River RF is in process of changing to Salt River PhysiX.
Higher Degree Research Examiner Experience
PhD, Madhusudan Rao Neeli, "An Investigation into Electronic Circuit Production in Thermoplastics", Griffith University 2015.
PhD, Gavin Mogensen, "Instrumentation for Impedance Measurements in the ELF/VLF Band for Geophysical Investigations", Griffith University 2014.
PhD, Elyas Palantei, "Switched Parasitic Smart Antenna: Design and Implementation for Wireless Communication Systems", Griffith University 2011.
University Level Teaching/Research Experience
Linear Electromagnetics, Teaching assistant (laboratory) for 3rd year Bachelor of Engineering & Bachelor of Technology degrees, Griffith University 1998-2000. (supervisor: Professor David Thiel)
Microprocessor Systems, Teaching Assistant (laboratory) for 2nd year Bachelor of Engineering & Bachelor of Technology degrees, Griffith University 1998-2000. (supervisor: Professor David Thiel)
Generic Skills for Microelectronic Engineers, Teaching Assistant (laboratory) for 1st year Bachelor of Engineering & Bachelor of Technology degrees, Griffith University 1998-2000. (supervisor: Professor David Thiel)
Research assistant at the School of Psychology, Griffith University 1998-2000. Programmed in MATLAB using numerical and digital signal processing toolboxes various perception tests, notably the Uchi perception test for examination of eye muscular movements. (supervisor: Dr Trevor Hine)
Thermodynamics for BSME/BSMT. Adjunct Lecturer Summer 2018. Grand Canyon University, Phoenix.
Languages
Basic Japanese (JLPT Level 4).
Basic Dutch
Native English.
Professional Memberships
Fellow, Institute of Marine Engineers, Scientists and Technologists (for activities in Radio and Navigation research)
Professional Member, Engineers Australia (MIEAUST)
Senior Member, Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, USA. (SMIEEE)
Member, Institution of Engineering and Technology (formerly IEE), UK (MIET)
Altshuler Institute for TRIZ Studies (Society for Inventive methods - completed at Kent State)
Current – Member of the IEEE radio wave propagation standards committee
Past – 2023-2025 Chair of the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society, ACT, Australia
Past – 2023-2025 Chair of the IEEE Microwave Society (MTT), ACT, Australia
Past – 2024-2025 Vice Chair of IEEE Oceans, National Committee, Australia
Continuing Professional Short Courses
Introduction to Object Orientation (C++ Programming) (2 days - 16 hours), Curtin University of Technology (School of Computing) and Geraldton Regional College (College of Customized Training), August 1996.
Fiber Optic Installation Course (Manual and Automated Splicing) (1 day), Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station, Geraldton, 1996.
Signal Processing with MATLAB (2 days), CEANET Educational Services, Brisbane, 1999.