Bill Hemphill | Engineering, Engineering Technology, Interior Architecture, and Surveying

Research Interests/Creative Activities/Skills/Expertise

• High-impact practices: Design/Prototype/Build
• STEM/STEAM Engagement
• CADD/CAM/CNC: Edge creation & toolpath optimization
• Rapid Product Development for Manufacturability
• Alternative acoustic guitar top and back bracing design and testing
• Electric guitar design & fabrication
• Tooling design (including 3D-printed, multi-part molds for casting liquid polymers)

Patents

• U.S. Patent No. 9,011,786 awarded April 21, 2015. “Dry Heat Sterilizing Systems Using Inductive Heating,” Named Inventor
• U.S. Patent No. 8,434,292 awarded May 7, 2013.  Ceramic-Encased Hot Surface Igniter System for Jet Engines, Named Inventor
• U.S. Patent No. 7,866,983 awarded Jan. 11, 2011.  Surgical Simulation System, Named Inventor

Grants & Funded Research Principle Investigator (Last ten years)

• Co-PI: Hemphill. W & Zollinger, D. ‘Comparative Analysis of Acoustic Guitar Bracing Designs Using Acoustic Resonance and Photoelastic Models’ (Grant #: 2025-014 RFP; $14,580). Sponsor: ETSU Office of Vice Provost of Research [2024July01 to 2025Sept30].
• PI: Hemphill, W. ‘Acoustic Guitar Building’ ($5,000.00).  Sponsor: ETSU Instructional Development Committee [July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021].
• PI: Hemphill, W. “2015 Basic Aerospace Education Workshop” (TAD Project No: 99-555-1253-04; $40,000). Sponsor:  Tennessee Department of Transportation, Aeronautics Division (Summer 2015).

Funded Product Development Activities (w/ academic units/industry):

• ETSU Biological Sciences (multiple projects (4+) for specialized field and laboratory-based experimental equipment development and fabrication including $1.5k ETSU RDC Small Grants Program with Dr. Thomas Jones (2013).
• High-fidelity ObGyn Surgical Simulation System for ETSU QCoM ObGyn [with Dr. J. Paul Sims, Dr. Marty Olson, & Dr. Martin Eason (2003-2009) includes $20k Gaumard Scientific (2009), $5k ETSU IDC (2009) & $9k ETSU RDC (2008).
• Development of a Robotic Jockey for Miniature Horses [With Dr. J. Paul Sims].  $8K from Dixie Stampede, Pigeon Forge, TN (Spring 2007 to Fall 2007).
• Design & fabrication of systems for automated spherical soap film (bubbles) for NASA's Reduced Gravity Flight Program for Museums & Science Centers [with Drs J. Paul Sims & Gary Henson; experiment flight dates:  August 10 & 11, 2006. (Summer 2006).

Teaching

Mr. Hemphill has taught various engineering technology and related courses during his 30+ year tenure at ETSU including:

• ENTC 1110 Engineering Drawing
• ENTC 2170 CADD
• ENTC 2200 Machine Tool Technology
• ENTC 3020 Society and Technology
• ENTC 3030 Technical Communication
• ENTC 3170 Manual CNC Programming
• ENTC 3600 Manufacturing Technologies
• ENTC 4060 Project Scheduling
• ENTC 4277 Instrumentation & Process Control
• ENTC 4357 CIM Applications
• ENTC 4957 Special Topics: Acoustic Guitar Building
• ENTC 5960 Thesis