Rodney Andrews, director of the University of Kentucky’s Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) and associate professor of chemical and materials engineering, will present “The Role of Materials Synthesis in Application-driven Composites Engineering” on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. in 136 Ross Hall, the McMillan Auditorium.

Carbon nanotubes can be used for high-strength composites, molecular electronics and energy storage. Their effects on thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of composite materials have attracted attention from materials scientists and offer a number of benefits in biomedical and dental applications. Andrews will discuss the synthesis, characterization and use of nanotube materials, as well as their performance in various applications, such as treating disease, malformation and trauma.

Andrews joined the CAER in 1999. As associate director in 2001, he was responsible for the carbon materials group, conducting research in reaction engineering, carbon materials and nanotechnologies for energy applications. Andrews is a member of the honorary editorial advisory board for the journal Carbon. He serves on the statewide STEM Taskforce and is director of the Kentucky National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research program. Andrews earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Michigan State University and doctorate in chemical engineering from the University of Kentucky. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Kentucky.