Satish Kumar

Dr. Satish Kumar is a Professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. He specializes in polymer science and engineering, with a focus on advanced materials such as carbon fibers, nanocomposites, and functional fibers. His research integrates polymer chemistry, processing, and characterization to develop high-performance materials for energy, aerospace, and environmental applications.

Education: Ph.D. in Polymer and Fiber Science from the Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi (1979). Postdoctoral experience at the University of Massachusetts (1979-82) and visiting scientist at C.E.N.G., France (1982-83). Joined Georgia Tech in 1989.

Research Interests: Composites, carbon fibers, nanostructures, and polymer-based functional materials. Key contributions include developing PAN-based carbon fibers, CNT-polymer composites, and cellulose nanocrystal reinforcements. His work emphasizes structural design, processing optimization, and energy storage applications.

Recent Publications: Focus on carbon nanotube dispersion, high-strength fibers, and nanocomposite characterization. Highlights include studies on PAN/CNT composite fibers and lignin-incorporated carbon fibers.

Scientific Awards: Fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS-PolyChem) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Recognized for contributions to polymer science and advanced materials.

Advising & Grants: Mentor to numerous graduate students and researchers. Active in securing grants for carbon fiber innovation and nanomaterials research. Collaborates with industry partners for practical applications.

Labs: Leads the Kumar Research Group, focusing on carbon fiber and nanomaterials development. Lab facilities include advanced characterization tools for materials science.