John Thacker, Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Center for Semicustom Integrated Systems

CSIS Faculty: John Thacker

Position: Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Department: Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Office: Mechanical Engineering Building, Room 346
Phone: 804-924-6294	Fax:
Email: jgt@virginia.edu

Other Home Pages: MANE Dept. Home Page for John Thacker

Biography

John Thacker received the B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Virginia in 1967. He received a commission in the United States Army in 1969 and served with the 54th Combat Engineering Battalion from 1969 to 1972. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Virginia in 1973 and 1976. Dr. Thacker joined the faculty of the University of Virginia in 1976. He is currently the associate chairman of the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Nuclear Engineering. He has been involved with research in the area of rehabilitation engineering and is currently the Director of the University of Virginia Rehabilitation Engineering Center. His current research involves transportation safety issues for disabled individuals in private vehicles. He has also been active in research with the Department of Plastic surgery since 1972. His interests in this area include the design of medical instruments and products used in the treatment of wound healing.

Current Research

Recent advances in VLSI circuit technology have resulted in new requirements for computer-aided design methodology. With this in mind, Dr. Thacker is currently active in the Society of Automotive Engineers efforts to write national standards for safety issues involving modification of vehicles for use by the disabled. He is also active in the International Standards Organization and RESNA with respect to writing performance standards for wheelchairs.

Publications

Edlich, R.F., and Thacker, J.G., "Wound Irrigation," Anns of Emergency Medicine, vol 24, No. 1, pp. 88-90, 1994.

Van Meter, B.H., Thacker, J.G., Rodeheaver, G.T., and Edlich, R.F., "Some Biomechanical Considerations in Microsutures," Annals of Plastic Surgery, vol. 32, No. 4, pp. 401-406, 1994.

Pilkey, W.D., Shaw, G., and Thacker, J.G., "Evaluation of Structural Integrity and Dynamic Stability of Modified Vans," Rehabilitation R&D Progress Reports 1992-1993, Veterans Health Administration, Vol 30-31, pp. 403, December 1994.

Shaw, G., Pilkey, W.D., and Thacker, J.G., "Testing Procedures for Wheelchair Securement Systems," Rehabilitation R&D Progress Reports 1992-1993, Veterans Health Administration, Vol 30-31, pp. 403, December 1994.

Thacker, J.G., "Testing Procedures for Wheelchair Lifts," Rehabilitation R&D Progress Reports 1992-1993, Veterans Health Administration, Vol 30-31, pp.402, December 1994.

Shaw, G. Pilkey, W. D. and Thacker, J.G., "Methodology for Evaluating Equipment used When Assessing Individuals' Needs for Vehicle Modification and Adaptive Equipment," Rehabilitation R&D Progress Reports 1992-1993, Veterans Health Administration, Vol 30-31, pp. 402, December 1994.

Shaw, G., Sprigle, S., and Thacker, J.G., "Assessment of Deficiencies in Assistive Technology for Personal Transportation Systems," Rehabilitation R&D Progress Reports 1992-1993, Veterans Health Administration, Vol 30-31, pp. 401, December 1994.

Thacker, J.G., and Shaw, C.G., "Safe and Secure,"Paraplegia News, v. 48, no. 8, pp. 23-25, Aug. 1994. Shaw, G. and Thacker, J.G., "Wheelchair Tie-downs and Occupant Restraint Standards (WTORS), Proceedings of the RESNA '94 Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, June 17, 1994.

Shaw,G., Lapidot, A., Scavnicky, M., Thacker, J., Schneider, L., Manary, M., Roy, P., Savage, G., Witherington, C., and Day, D., "Wheelchair Tiedown Interlaboratory Test," Proceedings of the RESNA '94 Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, p. 64-66, June 17, 1994.

Cardosa, F., Thacker, J., and Weinberg, A., "Wheelchair Lift Contraindications," Proceedings of the RESNA '94 Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, p. 79-81, June 17, 1994.

Kauzlarich, J.J., and Thacker, J.G., "The UVA/MR Maintenance Free Wheelchair Tire," Proceedings of the RESNA '94 Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, p. 327-329, June 17, 1994.

Kauzlarich, J.J., and Thacker, J.G., "Wheelchair Battery Overdischarge and Overcharge Problems," Proceedings of the RESNA '94 Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, p. 344-346, June 17, 1994.

Thacker, J.G., and Shaw, C.G., "Safe and Secure," Team Rehab Report, v.5, no. 2, p. 26-30, Feb. 1994.

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