5 June 2001

Plainsboro, New Jersey -- Charles Neumeyer, of the U.S. Department of Energy's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), received the "Engineer of the Year" award from the New Jersey Society of Professional Engineers (NJSPE) on Saturday, June 2, at the organization's awards and installation banquet in Somerset.

The citation for Neumeyer stated, "In recognition of your outstanding achievements in engineering, your contributions to the development of fusion as a long-term energy source, and your notable service in enhancing the prestige of the engineering profession." Neumeyer is the lead project engineer for the National Spherical Torus Experiment (NSTX), a fusion energy research device that began operating at PPPL in 1999.

As NSTX project engineer, Neumeyer was responsible for integrating the many physics and engineering requirements and developing the overall engineering design of the NSTX. He was also responsible for leading the integrated testing phases which led to the first plasma (hot, ionized gas) operation ten weeks ahead of schedule and the demonstration of full plasma operation at one million amperes of plasma current more than nine months ahead of schedule.

Neumeyer came to PPPL in 1976. He received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of Virginia in 1975 and a master's degree in electrical engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of New York in 1987. His career has included work both at PPPL and in industry, with specialization in the field of high-power electrical and electromagnetic systems for advanced technology research. Last year, Neumeyer was named a PPPL Distinguished Engineering Fellow and was recognized as "Engineer of the Year" by the Professional Engineering Society of Mercer County.

Upon receiving the NJSPE award, Neumeyer said, "I am accepting this prestigious award on behalf of a large group of talented and dedicated people at the Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, other national laboratories in the U.S., and still others around the world who are working in the field of plasma physics and fusion energy. As engineers, we all know that significant accomplishments always come about as the result of dedicated people working together as a team, relying on the foundation of knowledge and science created by those who preceded us in similar pursuits."

Neumeyer lives with his wife and three children in Princeton Borough.

PPPL, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by Princeton University, is a collaborative national center for science and innovation leading to an attractive fusion energy source.

For further information, please contact:

Anthony R. DeMeo
Head
Information Services
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
(609) 243-2755
ademeo@pppl.gov

Patricia Wieser
Information Services
Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory
(609) 243-2757
pwieser@pppl.gov

Downloadable print-quality photo of Mr. Neumeyer. Resolution is 200 dpi, print size is approximately 4.7 inches wide by 3.8 inches high. File type is jpeg. File size is 545 kB. Photographer: Alex Ilic, PPPL.