| Delbert Day | |
| Known For: | TheraSphere and Glasphalt co-invention |
| Curator's Professor Emeritus of Materials Sciences (Missouri S&T) | |
| Awards: | Distinguished Alumni Award (PSU) |
| Children: | 2[1] |
Delbert E. Day, a Curator's Professor Emeritus of Ceramic Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, made the first U.S. glass melting experiments in micro-gravity on NASA's Space Shuttle.
Day was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 2004 for the development of radiotherapeutic glass microspheres and their transfer to medical applications.[2] [3] He is also a fellow of the Society of Glass Technology, American Ceramic Society, National Institute of Ceramic Engineers, and National Academy of Inventors.[4] [5]
Day earned a Bachelor of Science degree in ceramic engineering from the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy (now Missouri S&T) in 1958, and a Master of Science degree and doctorate in ceramic technology from Pennsylvania State University in 1959 and 1961, respectively.[6]
Day co-invented TheraSphere glass microspheres for medical and dental applications, and Glasphalt which recycles waste glass for use in asphalt paving. In 1984, Day founded the Mo-Sci Corporation in Rolla, Missouri, which manufacturers high-tech glass products; as of 2007, the company was solely owned by Day's son, Ted.[7] The company was acquired by Heraeus in 2021 after Ted died in 2020.[8]
In 2011, the Delbert Day Cancer Institute was initiated at the Phelps County Regional Medical Center (now Phelps Health), funded by a gift from Day's son and daughter-in-law, Ted and Kim Day.[9] The 37000square feet facility, completed in January 2017, occupies the first two floors of a new building on the north side of the medical center campus.[10]
Day and his wife, Shirley, donated to his Missouri S&T alma mater for establishment of a Day Family Endowed Scholarship in Materials Science & Engineering.[11]
In May 2019, Day received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Penn State University, their highest honor for alumni.[12]