James I. Mueller University of Washington College of Mines photograph collection, circa 1905-1949

James I. Mueller was a widely respected University of Washington Professor of Ceramic Engineering. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1917. Mueller earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and his doctorate from the University of Missouri. During World War II he served in the Army Corps of Engineers.

In 1949 Mueller became a Professor of Ceramic Engineering at the University of Washington at what was then the College of Mines. Among his students and friends, he was most well known for his inspirational and encouraging approach to students. Mueller encouraged students to achieve excellence, whatever their goals. Former NASA space shuttle astronaut Bonnie Dunbar remembers being encouraged by Mueller to pursue her dreams to become an engineer and NASA astronaut, despite the fact that at the time NASA only accepted fighter pilots.

From 1964 until his death in 1986, Mueller was the principal investigator on the NASA ceramics research grant to the University of Washington. The primary accomplishment of this long-term program was the development of silicon nitride as a structural material, today used to produce high temperature engine parts. In a parallel effort, Mueller led the team of scientists who helped develop the insulating ceramic tiles used to protect NASA's space shuttle Columbia, which launched in 1981.

Mueller was a past president of the American Ceramics Society, a member of the National Institute of Ceramic Engineers, American Society of Engineering Education, American Defense Preparedness Association, and several ceramic societies. Over the course of his career, he received many awards for his professional contributions, including the NASA Public Service Medal in 1982, and the American Ceramic Society’s Albert B. Bleininger Award for outstanding achievement. Mueller died of cancer on April 2, 1986 at the age of 69. His contributions to the field of ceramic engineering continue to be recognized through the many awards named in his honor, including the James I. Mueller Lecture Award given annually by the Engineering Ceramics Division of the American Ceramic Society.