University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research

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The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy (CAER) investigates energy technologies to improve the environment; contributes to technically sound policies related to coal, energy and the environment. Energy research, coal, renewable energy, flyash, fly ash, oil shale, utilities, fuels, carbon, carbon management, carbon dioxide, coal to liquids, liquefaction, university of Kentucky, nanotubes, carbon fibers, coal fines, biofuels, algae, wood waste, Kentucky Argonne battery center, batteries, capacitors, solar energy, Rodney Andrews, mark crocker, Tom Robl, Kunlei Liu, Burt Davis, Darrell Taulbee, jim Neathery, Joe Remias, Gary Jacobs, Jim Hower, jack groppo

10/21/2026

This year marked the 50th anniversary of the Governor's Conference on Energy and the Environment, and featured at the conference was the inaugural Women in Energy Brunch. This event sought to bring together women from all parts of the energy sector, from linespeople and engineers to policymakers and teachers.

CAER was happy to be well-represented by members of the Cementitious Materials group: Anne Oberlink, Tristana Duvallet, Haley Johnson, and Alex Allamon.

10/20/2026

The Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (KNEDA) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) related to Kentucky’s Nuclear Reactor Site Readiness Pilot Program. This program is designed to support eligible nuclear energy projects by providing a framework through which the General Assembly may award grant funding for a portion of the costs associated with pursuing certain U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses and permits.

Due Nov. 6, RFI responses will help KNEDA better understand the level and nature of interest in the pilot program and support development of an effective and practical application process. The RFI is an information-gathering tool and is not an application for grant funding. More info can be found on the CAER website under Collaborators > KNEDA.

10/16/2026

Congratulations to Alex Zan Paterson, assistant professor in the University of Kentucky Pigman College of Engineering, for being named to the 2026 Nature Awards Inspiring Women in Science shortlist in the Scientific Achievement category. She is one of only eight women selected worldwide in the category and the only woman based in the United States.

Presented in partnership with The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., the awards celebrate and support the achievements of women in science and all those who work to encourage girls and young women to engage with STEM subjects and stay in STEM careers around the world. The 2026 winner is scheduled to be announced Nov. 3 at a ceremony in London, England.

Paterson is a The Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Scholar and an assistant professor of materials engineering with a joint appointment in electrical engineering. Her Organic Materials and Devices Laboratory is based at the UK Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER), where her team studies new forms of semiconductors and the fundamental physics that determine how those materials perform in devices.

Read the full story at UKNow: https://uknow.uky.edu/research/alexandra-paterson-shortlisted-international-nature-inspiring-women-science-award

10/08/2026

We are happy to show progress on the construction of our CAER Outreach and Education building! It will be the new front door for the center—a building dedicated to meeting and conference space, as well as a central hub for tours, events, and training. A new home for projects like Gen-EV, and a place to host companies, organizations, and agencies as we connect and collaborate.

Outreach, Education, and Collaboration have always been cornerstones of the work that CAER does. This building will reinforce those priorities.

More progress photos and a formal announcement to come!

09/09/2026

CAER student researchers participated in some important outreach this week: the Fall Research Expo! It was a great time, getting to share our work with the next generation of researchers. Thanks to the UK Office of Undergraduate Research for the opportunity, and CAER students Caroline Hortin, Sofia Monge Alfaro, and Alaina Davis for running our table.

08/18/2026

Congratulations to UK CAER's Sofia Monge Alfaro for taking home an honorable mention at the 2026 Carbon Conference! The conference - the world's premier academic conference on Carbon for over 70 years - was held this July in Charleston, SC. Sofia's poster "Influence of Heat Treatment Temperature on the Morphological, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Commercial Carbon Fibers" was one of two runners-up for the Philip L. Walker Award for best student poster. Many thanks to the hosts the American Carbon Society and Ingevity for another great meeting!

07/13/2026

Kentucky took another step forward in its pursuit of next-generation nuclear development last week, as the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (KNEDA) appointed its first executive director, Sean Schaub. Sean arrives with a strong background in energy development and policy, specifically nuclear energy. Schaub most recently worked as the nuclear industry coordinator for the Wyoming Energy Authority, helping that state expand its own nuclear ecosystem.

According to Rodney Andrews, director of CAER and chair of KNEDA: “Sean brings a valuable combination of technical knowledge, industry experience and state-level nuclear development expertise [… and] his leadership will help strengthen Kentucky’s efforts to grow a safe, collaborative and economically beneficial nuclear energy ecosystem.”

KNEDA was established by KY General Assembly in 2024, and the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research was charged with its administration. KNEDA’s purpose is to act as a nonregulatory advisory agency, supporting the growth of nuclear energy in the commonwealth.

Read more about Sean and KNEDA on UK NOW: https://lnkd.in/etigGB22

06/25/2026

The World of Coal Ash represents the University of Kentucky's decades-long investment in and innovation with coal combustion products — the inorganic, solid materials that remain after coal is burned in coal-fired power plants to generate electricity.

This year, UK President Eli Capilouto served as a plenary speaker, reinforcing UK’s position as a leader in energy research through CAER and interdisciplinary partnerships.

“The World of Coal Ash Conference reflects the power of bringing together research, industry and public partners to tackle complex challenges with rigor and shared purpose,” Capilouto said. “At the University of Kentucky, we are proud to host conversations that advance innovation and support responsible stewardship, strengthening Kentucky’s role in shaping solutions with global impact.”

Since its inception, WOCA has grown from a niche technical gathering into what the industry now recognizes as the premier global forum on coal ash, where environmental science, policy, engineering and beneficial use converge. WOCA 2026 attracted 1,273 attendees from around the world, a conference record, to Lexington in May.

Read more on UK NOW: https://lnkd.in/eemNySwv

06/15/2026

Eight elementary school teams from across Kentucky hit the track at Kroger Field for this year’s GEN‑EV electric car race!

Maxwell Elementary swept first and second place, followed by Cassidy Elementary in third. Teams from Rise STEM Academy for Girls, Duff-Allen Central, and East Calloway also competed.

Students spent the semester designing and building their own electric vehicles—learning hands-on engineering, teamwork, and even how to pitch for team sponsorships.

Programs like GEN‑EV are helping shape Kentucky’s next generation of innovators.

Learn more at gen-ev-racing.org

05/29/2026

Students, and those who work with students—hear us out!

We’re searching for the next Lee T. Todd, Jr. Scholar—a student ready to lead, innovate, and make an impact.

The Lee T. Todd, Jr. Student Innovation Award offers undergraduate entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to develop their ideas alongside UK CAER scientists and engineers in a collaborative research environment. Awardees will receive:

- $10,000 Scholarship
- Full access to UK CAER laboratories and equipment
- Hands-on collaboration with leading researchers
- One-on-one mentorship focused on commercialization

🔗 Apply here: https://uky.scholarshipuniverse.com/student/scholarship/550651
📅 Deadline: July 1
🎥 Hear from inaugural recipient Lucas Bertucci:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AHzt6rO19k
🎥 Watch the full conversation with Dr. Todd:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciAxA2FFTzg&t=42s
Help us spread the word and support the next generation of energy innovators!

Address

2540 Research Park Drive
Lexington, KY
40511

Telephone

+18592570305

Website

http://www.caer.uky.edu/

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