Ian Spark

Dr Ian Spark completed his PhD at Melbourne University in 1971 and graduated in 1972. He was supported by a scholarship from the Australian Institute of Nuclear Science and Engineering (AINSE). He conducted much of his research at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), (Lucas Heights). He was appointed to the Gippsland Institute of Advanced Education as a Lecturer in Engineering in 1971. During his extensive career, Dr Spark worked in a range of roles including as an Experimental Officer for the CSIRO Division of Tribophysics (Parkville), a Technical Assistant at Copper Refineries Pty Ltd (Townville) and at the Aeronautical Research Laboratories (Fishermans Bend). His final appointment was as Deputy Head of the Gippsland School of Engineering at Monash University where he was an Associate Professor. Since retiring from Monash University in 1997, Dr Spark has conducted research in Mechatronics as an Adjunct Research Fellow. He is currently a Senior Adjunct Research Fellow of Federation University Australia. 

Dr Spark has obtained three US patents and 4 Australian patents on his CRMSS. These patents have now lapsed. He has been granted four Australian Patents on improved articulated vehicles. Six applications are awaiting examination. The author is an expert in mechanisms, specialising in linkages.