James E. Atwater

James E. Atwater (born September 22, 1946) is a retired North American multidisciplinary physical scientist with training in geophysics, chemistry, and biological science.

In his early career (1977–1980), Atwater concentrated on methods and instrumentation for identification and quantification of radionuclides associated with uranium exploration and recovery by gamma-ray and alpha particle energy spectrometry.

Subsequently, (1980–1987) he applied radiometric geophysical well logging techniques to the characterization of sandstone, limestone, dolomite and shale core samples.

Later Atwater's attention turned to problems of long-term human presence in space, working on regenerable systems for water and air purification,[6] and means for decomposition and stabilization of solid waste materials and recovery of useful resources therefrom.

[11] Other research includes the study of multiphase immiscible fluid flow in porous media, and the recovery of hydrogen from methane (natural gas) using magnetically stabilized fluidized bed and microwave plasma reactors.