Ira Bornstein
Retired Argonne nuclear engineer Ira Bornstein died March 7, 2019, at the age of 99.
A native of Rhode Island, Bornstein began his career installing radar equipment on U.S. Navy ships during World War II, which enabled him to combine technical engineering prowess with travel. In 1947, he moved to the private sector and started working on sodium-cooled nuclear reactor development at GE Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory. He pioneered the use of digital computers for reactor design and was responsible for the preliminary design of Peach Bottom, the prototype high temperature gas-cooled reactor. Bornstein invented and patented the samarium compensator, a breakthrough for increasing the safety and fuel life of research reactors, at North American Aviation. He later worked at Atomics International, General Dynamics, the Marquart Corporation, and Planning Research Corporation, where he worked on nuclear rocket engine operations.
Bornstein served at Argonne for 30 years in various engineering programs, ultimately serving in the Director’s Office, where he ran congressional relations for the lab.
“Ira was persistent and tireless in his efforts to promote the Argonne lab,” said Senator Dick Durbin, adding, “it was always a pleasure to work with him.”
Bornstein was a devoted proponent of nuclear energy and an active member of the American Nuclear Society, which honored him with its Distinguished Service Award in 1989, only the 11th time that award had been granted. He was a published author, having written the defining article on nuclear engineering for the Encyclopedia Britannica. Bornstein also developed Argonne’s international student exchange program, enabling hundreds of American students to study at world-class research institutions while also bringing top international students to work and study at Argonne. Recognizing this achievement, France in 1992 named Bornstein an officer in its Ordre des Palmes Academiques. Tokyo University invited Bornstein on a VIP visit in 1997, granting him a special education award.
In retirement, Bornstein volunteered with the Mended Hearts Program for recovering heart surgery patients at Northwestern Hospital. He studied and led seminars at Northwestern’s Institute of Lifelong Learning on subjects like astronomy, biology, cosmology, ants, art history and politics.
Donations in his memory may be made to the United Jewish Appeal. Interment was in private.