The American Carbon Society
The American Carbon Society
 
 

American Carbon Society Graffin Lecture Series

The American Carbon Society & Asbury Carbons, Are Proud To Sponsor The Graffin Lecture Series Presented By Matthew C Weisenberger of The University of Kentucky Center For Applied Energy Research


The American Carbon Society Graffin Lecturer Matthew C Weisenberger
The American Carbon Society Graffin Lecture Series

 

The Graffin Lecture Series

The American Carbon Society, supported by grants from Asbury Carbons, sponsors a lecture series at North American universities in honor of George D. Graffin, a pioneer in the natural graphite industry.

Each year, the Society selects a lecturer who has made distinguished contributions to carbon science and engineering. The lecture is available by direct arrangement with this year’s lecturer – Matthew C Weisenberger.

 

The Current Graffin Lecturer

The 2023 Graffin Lecturer is: Matthew C Weisenberger from the University of Kentucky Center For Applied Energy Research (UK CAER).

Dr Weisenberger is Associate Director and leader of the Carbon Materials Group at UK CAER, where current work is focused on:

  • Development of Low-Cost, High-Strength Carbon Fiber
  • Conversion of Coal to Graphitic Products, including Carbon Fibers
  • Processing Carbon Fibers from Conductive, Conjugated Polymers, including PEDOT:PSS

Dr Weisenberger also serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor in Materials Science and Engineering, at the University of Kentucky, and is a member of the graduate faculty. Additionally, he has served on the Executive Committee of the American Carbon Society (2010 – 2019) and is currently a member of the Advisory Committee.

 

The Current Graffin Lecture

The 2023 Graffin Lecture is: Carbon Fiber – Past, Present, & Future

Abstract
“Carbon fiber” conjures up images of advanced lightweight aircraft, fast cars, expensive sporting equipment… The most exploited aspect of carbon fiber is its mechanical performance per unit weight – which has propelled carbon fiber into newer, high-volume deployment in large wind turbine blade structures, commercial aerospace, and even into mass-manufactured passenger vehicles. In sum, lightweight, stiff, & strong, carbon fiber composite materials perform where no other materials can, offering extreme weight savings. In this talk, we will unpack carbon fiber from composites, focusing solely on the carbon fiber itself. How did this synthetic fiber come to be? How is it made? What governs its performance at the micro-structural scale? We will look into a brief history of carbon fiber and examine some of its present-day applications. Lastly, we will discuss some of the future directions of carbon fiber, including issues associated with cost, precursors, higher performance, and embodied energy of its production. Along the way, some recent and relevant work from our lab, and other facilities, will be briefly presented.

To Find Out More, Download the 2023 Graffin Lecture Informational Flyer.

To Schedule A Lecture, Please Contact Dr Weisenberger Directly At matt.weisenberger@uky.edu.

 


For More Information On Education In The American Carbon Society

For information on additional Educational Opportunities in the Society, please contact
The Education Secretary:
Dr. Weiming Lu
Corporate Senior Fellow
Collins Aerospace
Raytheon Technologies
weiming.lu@collins.com

 


Previous Graffin Lecturers

  • Ryan M Paul, GrafTech International / Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2021/2022) – VIDEO >>
  • John Linck, Collins Aerospace (2020)
  • Mauricio Terrones, Pennsylvania State University (2018/2019) – VIDEO >>
  • Teresa Bandosz, City University of New York (2016/2017)
  • Cristian Contescu, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2015/2016)
  • Khalid Lafdi, University of Dayton (2014)
  • Amod A. Ogale, Clemson University (2013)
  • Julian Norley, GrafTech International Holdings, Inc. (2012) – VIDEO >>
  • Rodney Andrews, University of Kentucky CAER (2011)
  • Ray Baughman, University of Texas (2009-2010)
  • Fred Baker, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2008-2009)
  • Ljubisa R. Radovic, Pennsylvania State University (2007-2008)
  • Peter Eklund, Pennsylvania State University (2005-2006)
  • Robert H. Hurt, Brown University (2004-2005)
  • Tim Burchell, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2002-2003)
  • Neil Murdie, Honeywell (1999-2000)
  • Peter A. Thrower, The Pennsylvania State University (1998-99)
  • Jim Zimmer, Aerotherm Corporation (1997-98)
  • Linda E. Jones, New York State College of Ceramics (1996-97)
  • Wesley P. Hoffman, Air Force Research Laboratory (1995-96)
  • E. A. Heintz, State University of New York at Buffalo (1994-95)
  • Dan D. Edie, Clemson University (1993)
  • Harry Marsh, Southern Illinois University (1992)
  • W. P. Eatherly, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (1991)
  • Gary G. Tibbetts, General Motors Corporation (1990)
  • Roger Bacon, Amoco Performance Products (1989)
  • Julius Jortner, Jortner Research and Engineering (1988)
  • Douglas W. McKee, General Electric Company (1987)
  • I. C. Lewis, UCAR Carbon Company (1986)
  • R. T. K. Baker, EXXON Corporation (1985)
  • Jack. L. White, The Aerospace Corporation (1984)
  • L. S. Singer, Union Carbide Corporation (1983)
  • Mildred S. Dresselhaus, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1982)
  • D. B Fischbach, University of Washington (1981)
  • Philip L. Walker, Jr., The Pennsylvania State University (1980)
  • S. Mrozowski, State University of New York at Buffalo (1979)
  • R. J. Diefendorf, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (1978)

 


Previous Graffin Lecture Video 2021/2022

 

Previous Graffin Lecture Video 2018/2019

 

Previous Graffin Lecture Video 2012

 

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