Dr. Hallai has 20 years of experience in engineering and design, technology development, innovation, intellectual property, and R&D, as individual contributor and leading high-performing teams. Dr. Hallai is currently a consultant for engineering, science, regulatory, and business challenges and opportunities in the energy industry.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Hallai led R&D programs for ExxonMobil, delivering high-impact solutions to challenges such as ultra-deep waters, higher pressures and temperatures, more corrosive environments, longer service lives and more demanding geographic areas. Dr. Hallai also provided solutions to ensure safe and economical operations worldwide, including fitness-for-service, integrity management, and life extension assessments. Specific areas of expertise include:

• Experimental (small-scale and full-scale methods) and computational solid mechanics (Finite Element Analysis: FEA), including model development, material characterization, calibration, verification, and validation for the design of structures, development of products, prediction of behavior under extreme conditions and integrity management of operations
• Non-linear structural analysis and assessment of failure modes including yielding, global and local buckling, fracture, and fatigue
• Hydrogen embrittlement and sour service fracture and fatigue
• Interaction of structural instabilities with unstable materials such as carbon steels with Lüders bands and Nickel-Titanium shape memory alloys
• Structural dynamics and vibrations of drilling and production systems
• Analysis, design and optimization of mooring systems
• Wind, wave, current, and ice loads on structures

Dr. Hallai is a professional engineer licensed in the state of Texas in Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture / Marine Engineering, and a Project Management Professional (PMP)®.