Delbert Day is known for co-inventing radioactive glass microspheres.
Delbert Day is known for co-inventing radioactive glass microspheres. Photo by B.A. Rupert, Missouri S&T.

An expert in developing specialty glasses for use in health care, transportation infrastructure and other applications, Delbert Day is known for co-inventing radioactive glass microspheres. Now marketed as TheraSphere, Day’s product is used at over 200 sites worldwide to treat patients with inoperable liver cancer. Work by Day and other Missouri S&T researchers has led to the development of bioactive glass fibers – called Mirragen – that help speed the healing of chronic, non-healing wounds. A 1958 graduate in ceramics engineering, Day is the only S&T faculty member to be named to the National Academy of Engineering.

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