Dale E. Sayers Papers 1953-2006

Summary
Contents
Names/subjects
Using these materials
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Creator
Sayers, Dale E. (Dale Edward)
Size
50 linear feet (94 boxes, 1 card box, 25 flat files, 1 carton)
Call number
MC 00360
Access to materials

This collection has restricted access. Boxes 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 32, 35, 41, 72, 92, and Flat File 2 are CLOSED until 1 January 2074. The remainder of the collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice.

The Dale E. Sayers papers document Sayers' career as a researcher and educator, from his work as an undergraduate at the University of California at Berkeley to his teaching and research career as a professor of physics at North Carolina State University. Sayers was a co-developer of the modern extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) technique, which, according to Sayers, "allows atomic structural information to be determined in complex systems." In addition to EXAFS, his research interests included x-ray absorption spectroscopy, amorphous materials, mammography technology, synchrotron radiation, and environmental science. Sayers' extensive planning work on the NC STAR Storage Ring Project (North Carolina Storage Rings for Advanced Research) is one of the main subjects documented here. Other research project files included in these papers are Joint Economic Development Initiative - Advanced Light Technologies (JEDI-ALT) and the Department of Defense's Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP). These research files also include information on Sayers involvement in projects with the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), the Advanced Light Source (ALS), the Canadian Light Source (CLS), Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), and MEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems). Sayers was active professionally in and beyond N.C. State. He published more than 200 articles in journals such as Environmental Science and Technology, Journal of Applied Physics, Journal of Materials Research, Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, and Thin Solid Films. He was active in organizations such as International XAFS Society and the American Physical Society, was awarded a patent on his "Stable Silicide Electrical Contacts on Si" invention, presented invited talks and seminars at more than sixty national and international conferences, and served as a consultant for groups such as Mobil Research and Development. During his tenure at N.C. State, Sayers was involved in grant projects with institutions such as Exxon, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, Procter & Gamble, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Energy, and the University of Connecticut. Included in this collection are papers from Sayers' colleague Rodney McCormick, also of the NC State Physics Department.

Dale Edward Sayers began his studies at the University of California at Berkeley, where he received his bachelor's degree in physics. He continued his studies at the University of Washington, where he completed his master's and doctoral degrees in physics. Sayers was named assistant professor of physics at North Carolina State University in 1976, associate professor in 1979, and professor in 1984. He served in that capacity until his death, November 25, 2004.

Biographical/historical note

Dale Edward Sayers began his studies at the University of California at Berkeley, where he received his bachelor's degree in physics. He continued his studies at the University of Washington, where he completed his master's and doctoral degrees in physics. Sayers was named Assistant Professor of physics at North Carolina State University in 1976, Associate Professor in 1979, and Professor in 1984. He served in that capacity until his death, November 25, 2004.

Scope/content

The Dale E. Sayers papers document Sayers' career as a researcher and educator, from his work as an undergraduate at the University of California at Berkeley to his teaching and research career as a professor of physics at North Carolina State University. Sayers was a co-developer of the modern extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) technique, which, according to Sayers, "allows atomic structural information to be determined in complex systems." In addition to EXAFS, his research interests included x-ray absorption spectroscopy, amorphous materials, mammography technology, synchrotron radiation, and environmental science. Sayers' extensive planning work on the NC STAR Storage Ring Project (North Carolina Storage Rings for Advanced Research) is one of the main things documented here. Other research project files included in these papers are Joint Economic Development Initiative - Advanced Light Technologies (JEDI-ALT) and the Department of Defense's Technology Reinvestment Project (TRP). These research files also include information on Sayers involvement in projects with the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS), the Advanced Light Source (ALS), the Canadian Light Source (CLS), Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), and MEMS (Microelectromechanical Systems). Sayers was active professionally in and beyond NC State. He published more than 200 articles in journals such as Environmental Science and Technology, Journal of Applied Physics, Journal of Materials Research, Journal of Synchrotron Radiation, and Thin Solid Films. He was active in organizations such as International XAFS Society and the American Physical Society, was awarded a patent on his "Stable Silicide Electrical Contacts on Si" invention, presented invited talks and seminars at more than sixty national and international conferences, and served as a consultant for groups such as Mobil Research and Development. During his tenure at NC State, Sayers was involved in grant projects with institutions such as Exxon, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, Procter & Gamble, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Department of Energy, and the University of Connecticut. Included in this collection are papers from Sayers' colleague Rodney McCormick, also of the N.C. State Physics Department. This collection also includes books from Sayer's collection and bound abstracts on the topic of X-ray Absorption Fine Structure.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in thirteen series: Articles and Reprints, Notebooks, Course Files, Personnel Files, Grant Files, Departmental and University Files, Meeting and Workshop Files, Presentation Files, Research Files, Brochures and Bulletins, Correspondence, Colleague Files, and Digital Media.

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Dale E. Sayers Papers, MC 00360, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Source of acquisition

Gift of Anne Sayers, 2005 February 15 (Accn. no. 2005-0001)

Processing information

Processed by Anna R. Craft, 2007 June

Encoded by Anna R. Craft, 2007 June

Revised and updated by Judy Allen Dodson, 2009 December

Please note that some historical materials may contain harmful content and/or descriptions. Learn how we’re addressing it.

Access to the collection

This collection has restricted access. Boxes 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 32, 35, 41, 72, 92, and Flat File 2 are CLOSED until 1 January 2074. The remainder of the collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice.

For more information contact us via mail, phone, or our web form.

Mailing address:
Special Collections Research Center
Box 7111
Raleigh, NC, 27695-7111

Phone: (919) 515-2273

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Dale E. Sayers Papers, MC 00360, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC

Use of these materials

The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.