Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, 2008
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, 2004
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, 2002
Licenses & Certifications
  • Professional Engineer Mechanical, California, #34711
Professional Honors
  • Veterans Affairs Pre-Doctoral Associated Health Rehabilitation Research Fellowship, 2006
  • Stanford Graduate Fellowship, 2002
  • Antoinette Francis Dames Award, 2002
Professional Affiliations
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (member)

Dr. Briant advises clients in understanding and solving complex engineering problems. Drawing on his expertise in mechanical and materials engineering, finite element analysis, biomechanics, and image processing, he has assisted clients in performing a wide array of failure analyses and device evaluations. These analyses span across multiple scales and industries, ranging from automotive, rail, and piping systems to electronic solder joints and implanted medical devices. Dr. Briant's matters commonly involve assessing the root cause of reported multidisciplinary issues.

Dr. Briant's work includes both litigation and non-litigation matters. He has been a designated expert for both product liability and intellectual property matters and has given both deposition and trial testimony in each. His litigation matters have included cardiovascular medical devices, insulin pumps, consumer electronics, automotive components, among other systems and devices. In addition, he has analyzed vibration induced failures of large systems undergoing dynamic events, including piping networks and boilers.

Dr. Briant has extensive experience in long term reliability analysis of medical devices, and he has assisted numerous medical device companies prepare for FDA submission. This work includes both laboratory bench testing of devices and finite element analysis. His medical device analyses have involved cardiovascular implants, insulin pumps, blood glucose sensors, in vitro diagnostic devices, surgical tables, and numerous other products. He has published multiple journal articles and given numerous conference presentations related to fatigue, fracture, and wear of Nitinol, which is commonly used in implanted cardiovascular devices.

Prior to joining Exponent, Dr. Briant's research focused on laboratory and numerical analysis of cartilage tissue mechanics, as well as the design and analysis of orthopaedic biomedical devices. He also obtained experience using lathes, milling machines, and other shop equipment, and participated in the design and fabrication of Washington University's entry to the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers racecar competition.