Nucleation underlies many things, to be prevented or to be encouraged

Steve Smith operates as a Consulting Scientist, providing expert research, development, and consultation in the physical sciences. With a background in physics and chemistry, he offers specialized expertise in solving complex technical problems that fall outside a client's core area of knowledge. His capabilities span diverse fields, including electronics, materials science, and chemical product development. He is also the President and Chief Scientist of Smith & Co., a manufacturing business he established in 1972. This company develops and produces its own specialty epoxies, polyurethanes, adhesives, and coatings used internationally in the marine, construction, and property restoration sectors. Smith's approach involves breaking down problems to uncover root causes and false data, drawing on his extensive experience in research, product design, and patent-holding innovation.

These services are critical for inventors, engineers, and businesses facing persistent technical failures or unique R&D challenges. Customers rely on his expertise for tasks ranging from enhancing system reliability and developing specialty materials to solving product failures in wood, paint, and chemical interfaces. His work is supported by decades of industrial experience, including contributions to aerospace electronics, radar transmitter design, and government-industry research initiatives like the CALCE Tin Whisker Group. By offering a confidential, project-based engagement model—often supported by formal non-disclosure agreements—he provides high-level scientific guidance and problem-solving capacity to clients requiring specialized, interdisciplinary knowledge.