Dr. Pickle expertise is in metallurgy and materials science with a focus on welding engineering. He applies this knowledge to failure analysis investigations, material selection, review of welding procedures and specifications, among others. Dr. Pickle has provided consulting services for the solar power industry, petrochemical plants, and oil and gas companies regarding weld integrity and crack mitigation assessment in structural components, including high temperature storage tanks, pressure vessels, pipelines, and heat exchangers.

As a graduate student and post-doc at the Colorado School of Mines, Dr. Pickle worked on federal and joint industry-university funded projects. He has experience in standardized mechanical testing, weldability testing, and materials characterization techniques, including residual stress analysis. He co-authored technical reports and journal publications on improved serviceability of thermal energy storage hot salt tanks, assessment of additively and advanced manufactured systems, and weldability of stainless steels and nickel-based alloys.

Dr. Pickle received his PhD and MS degrees in the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering department from Colorado School of Mines and BS degree in Materials Joining and Welding Engineering from LeTourneau University.