Dr. James Boileau
Associate Professor of Teaching, Engineering Technology (Mechanical Engineering Technology and Welding and Metallurgical Engineering Technology)
Contact
- james.boileau@wayne.edu
- 4855 Fourth Street
- Engineering Technology
- Curriculum Vitae
Dr. James Boileau
Associate Professor of Teaching, Engineering Technology (Mechanical Engineering Technology and Welding and Metallurgical Engineering Technology)
Biography
Dr. Boileau has a BS, MS, and PhD in Materials Science and Engineering and is a Fellow of ASM International. As of September 2022, he has been a member of the faculty of the WSU Engineering College.
Dr. Boileau was employed by Ford Motor Company for over 33 years before retiring in December 2020. Dr. Boileau spent 31+ years at the Ford Research Laboratory, where he performed and led materials-related research on components from cylinder blocks and heads to brake rotors as well as managing the Optical and Electron Microscopy Laboratories. He was involved with over 150 Six Sigma/ 8D teams that used statistical analysis to determine root causes and develop corrective measures for production-related technical issues. His final two years were spent as the Materials Technical Expert for Ford's Electrified Powertrain Engineering Organization, where he focused on materials for the battery boxes for the Mach-E and F150 Lightning.
Dr. Boileau has over 50 papers, 250 presentations, and 23 patents related to alloy development, materials processing, and innovative technology for automotive components. In 2018, he was elected Fellow of ASM International, and in 2024 was honored with the Gold Award from the Engineering Society of Detroit. Dr. Boileau has taught undergraduate and graduate level courses since 2014 in the areas of material science, manufacturing, processing, and mechanics at three US universities and one university in China.
Education
- Ph.D in Materials Science & Engineering 2000, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
Thesis: The Effect Of Solidification Time On The Mechanical Properties Of A Cast 319 Aluminum Alloy (work sponsored and funded by Ford Motor Company) - BS in Materials Science & Engineering 1987
Research Interests
Extensive experience in time-critical failure analyses of automotive components as well as Six Sigma methodologies. Deep knowledge of and experience in metallography, optical microscopy, SEM/EDX/EBSP, and image analysis. Specialist in materials testing and mechanical properties as applied to design, testing, and specification development for IC and EV vehicle powertrain systems.
Teaching Interests
Materials Science, Automotive Manufacturing Processes, Process Engineering, Applied Industrial Statistics, Automotive Design
Professional Affiliations
- ASM International (Detroit Chapter Executive Committee, International Scholarship Committee, Action in Education Committee, Fellow)
- Detroit-Windsor AFS (Executive Board)
- SAE (Former Chair - Non-Ferrous Committee, Session Organizer, and SP Editor)
- Tau Beta Pi (Former District Director)
- AWS (WSU Student Chapter Advisor)
- Engineering Society of Detroit
Courses taught by Dr. James Boileau
Fall Term 2025 (future)
Spring-Summer Term 2025 (future)
Winter Term 2025
Spring-Summer Term 2024
- BE1300 - Basic Engineering II: Materials Science for Engineering Applications
- MCT3100 - Mechanics of Materials
Winter Term 2024
- BE1300 - Basic Engineering II: Materials Science for Engineering Applications
- ET2200 - Engineering Materials
- MCT3100 - Mechanics of Materials
- WMT3452 - Physical Metallurgy