Dr. Jaap de Vries is vice president, innovation science and technology, based in Johnston, Rhode Island, USA. In this role, he discovers and develops new opportunities to guide the strategic planning efforts of FM Global and its mutual members. He is responsible for building a network of sources to identify, research and assess emerging signals of change in the market, new technologies and scientific advances. Prior to his current role, Dr. de Vries served as lead research scientist at FM Global’s offices in Norwood, Massachusetts, USA. In this position, he established the Advanced Technology Laboratory and studied new, potentially disruptive technologies, such as augmented reality, virtual reality, drones and rapid prototyping. He also led large-scale fire testing programs in relation to radiation-activated sprinklers, lithium-ion batteries and SMART sprinklers—the findings of which resulted in new, patented sprinkler technology. He received his doctorate in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University (Texas, USA); a master of science in aerospace engineering from the University of Central Florida (Florida, USA); and a bachelor of science in aeronautical engineering from the College of Amsterdam (Amsterdam, the Netherlands). He has authored more than 35 journal and conference papers, and is a member of the National Fire Protection Association, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers and The Combustion Institute.

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