CAER News Archive: March 2004
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Kentucky EPSCoR hosted a meeting between representatives from U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory and key program managers at UK working in the field of nanotechnology. John Stencel, Director of KY DOE EPSCoR, opened the Study Group Meeting which was held on March 22, 2004 at the Boone Faculty Center and was organized by Uschi Graham of the CAER. Presentations were given by representatives of the departments of Chemistry, Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, Pharmacy, and the Center for Applied Energy Research. The CAER representatives were Ari Geertsema, Burt Davis, Uschi Graham, Rodney Andrews and Steve Lipka.
Posted by Marybeth McAlister [Link]
Thursday, March 4, 2004
Dr. BK Parekh, a 30-year veteran of coal preparation research, and longtime researcher at the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER), has won a prestigious award. He was recently presented with the Robert H. Richards Award by the American Institute of Mining Engineers (AIME), the parent organization of the Society of Mining Engineering. The Award is given to “recognize achievement in any form which unmistakably furthers the art of mineral beneficiation in any of its branches.” The award was presented to him in February at the 2004 Society of Mining Engineers’ Annual Meeting in Denver, CO.
Dr. Parekh’s successful professional history reflects both an industrial and academic background. His career began at Battelle Columbus Laboratories, followed by a time at Exxon Minerals Company, after which, he came to UK. In addition to his 20 years at the CAER, he is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the UK Department of Mining Engineering.
UK Mining Engineering Department Chairman Rick Sweigard says, “BK Parekh is a deserving recipient of the Richards Award. He has established an outstanding reputation in the area of coal preparation, particularly, for his work in column flotation. Currently, his work in deep-cone thickening for coal waste streams presents great potential for the mining industry. He has developed a solid working relationship with researchers in the Department of Mining Engineering, which has helped to establish UK as one of the leaders in coal preparation research.”
Parekh is the author of over 75 scientific publications, holds seven U.S. Patents, and has completed more than $3 million worth of research contracts from Federal, State, and industrial agencies. He has received several significant earlier awards. In 1999 he received the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, Inc. (SME) Distinguished Member award for his out standing service to the mineral industry and the society. In 2000, he received the Senior Scientist Technical Award from the American Filtration Society for his contribution to enhancing knowledge on dewatering of fine coal suspension.
He also has long associations with many respected journals. He is the Associate Editor for the “Mineral and Metallurgical Processing” journal; and is an editorial board member for the “International Journal of Mineral Processing,” “Coal Preparation,” and “Fuel Science and Technology” journals.
His areas of experience include physical beneficiation, coal preparation, fine-particle technology, and surface, colloid and solution chemistry. He has a highly-successful record in developing new processes and troubleshooting. An example is his development of the ‘Ken-Flote’ Column technique for advanced column flotation, which is being used on a commercial scale.
Dr. Parekh received an M.S. and Ph.D. in mineral processing from The Pennsylvania State University in 1972 and 1979, respectively. Previous to that he also received a B.S. and M.S. in physical chemistry in India.
Posted by Marybeth McAlister [Link]
Tuesday, March 2, 2004
This year's French students from the ESIREM in Dijon, France have arrived. These materials engineering students will be working in the Carbon and Clean Fuels and Chemicals Groups for the next five months as part of their senior practicum. They are: (from left, Nicolas Dogimont, Aurelie Mairet and Nicolas Thiebaut.
Posted by Marybeth McAlister [Link]
Monday, March 1, 2004
Patrick Miller, a senior at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, Kentucky has joined the staff of the CAER. Patrick is participating in the Fayette County School system's EBCE Program, which stands for Experience-Based Career Education program. EBCE is an academic internship program that uses the classroom and the community to provide hands-on career exploration.From their web site, "Academic internships through EBCE empower students to make informed career decisions. By using the expertise of business people and other community resources, students explore their career interests. They expand on the subject matter that is taught in the classroom through practical application on a job site." Patrick is interested in a research career. He will be performing research for the next two months with the carbon group. We are glad to have him here.
Posted by Marybeth McAlister [Link]
