Thomas J. Hardin, Ph.D.
I solve hard materials problems and provide independent technical judgment for irreversible decisions: building computational models, diagnosing failures, and evaluating whether the science behind a bet is sound. Materials, mechanical systems, thermodynamics, AI/ML.
MIT-trained PhD. Six years in national security R&D. Independent.
Every engagement follows a structured, transparent process. Timeline and deliverables scale to the problem — from a fast-turn diligence verdict to months of modeling and analysis.
We start with a short scoping call to define the problem, the decision it's blocking, and what domains are involved — materials, mechanical, thermodynamic, AI/ML. If the problem falls outside my expertise, I'll say so upfront.
Before work begins, I confirm no prior advisory, implementation, or financial ties could bias judgment. Even on hands-on engagements, I maintain independence — no vendor relationships, no outcome-based incentives, no conflicts of interest.
This ranges from assessment of existing models and claims to hands-on computational modeling, simulation, root cause analysis, or diagnostic work. The scope depends on what the decision requires — sometimes a fast review, sometimes building the model that answers the question.
All work products are concise, defensible, and built for decision-makers. Depending on the engagement, deliverables document:
These are designed for use in board decks, investment memos, program reviews, or engineering sign-offs. They are not marketing materials or advocacy.
I walk decision-makers through the findings, clarify implications for risk, schedule, or valuation, and answer questions. For ongoing engagements, this becomes a regular working rhythm.
MIT PhD in materials science. Six years at a national nuclear weapons laboratory, where models aren't academic exercises — they justify irreversible decisions about hardware you can't test. That's where I learned what rigorous validation actually requires, and how to build models that hold up under real scrutiny.
Fifteen peer-reviewed publications including first-author work in Nature Communications on machine learning for materials. President Harry S. Truman Fellowship in National Security Science and Engineering. Technical experience spans atomic-scale simulation to continuum modeling, across materials mechanics, plasma physics, and biomedical systems.
I've built models that carried high-stakes decisions and evaluated models others wanted to bet on. I know what validated looks like under real scrutiny, what “the model ran” dressed up as confidence looks like, and how to close the gap between the two.
$25-40k | 2-3 week engagement
Independent assessment of technical claims, execution risk, and team capability for high-stakes investment, acquisition, or partnership decisions. Covers materials, mechanical systems, thermodynamics, computational models, and AI/ML applications.
Common uses: Evaluating startups with materials or deep-tech IP, pre-acquisition technical risk assessment, assessing third-party vendor claims, founder and team capability evaluation.
$30-80k | Scoped to project
Hands-on computational modeling, failure analysis, and design validation for organizations that need senior materials science capability on a specific problem. I build the models, run the analysis, and deliver defensible answers — not a second opinion, but the primary technical work product.
Common uses: Root cause analysis of in-service failures, predictive modeling to reduce expensive test campaigns, simulation for materials qualification, independent design validation before production commitment.
$15-25k per month | Ongoing
Ongoing senior technical guidance for organizations making repeated high-stakes materials decisions. Study design, modeling architecture, technical risk framing, team development, and investor-facing credibility — without the cost or commitment of a full-time hire.
Common uses: Experiment and modeling study design, diagnosing persistent technical blockers, preparing for technical due diligence or regulatory review, translating technical risk for non-technical leadership, building toward a senior technical hire.
Do you have a problem that would benefit from independent technical judgement? Let's set up a scoping call: