In some way, carbon materials touch every aspect of our daily lives. Activated carbons are used for water and air purification, carbon black is used to reinforce tires, carbon fiber composites are used to manufacture ultra-light graphite sporting goods and aircraft brakes, and carbon foams are used to make fire retardant insulation. Penn State has a rich 62-year history in carbon materials research. The EMS Energy Institute’s Carbon Materials Program focuses its research on materials such as graphite, petroleum and metallurgical coke, activated carbon, anthracite, and pitch.

Research

• Chemistry of mesophase development during delayed coking of FCC Decant Oil
• Characterization of pre-baked carbon anodes using X-ray computed tomography
• Effects of inorganic impurities on graphite oxidation  
• Catalytic oxidation of carbon/carbon composite materials
• Characterization of optical textures of cokes and carbons
• Coking of injectors and fuel lines in internal combustion engines
• Molecular modeling of coal and carbonaceous materials
• Development of nuclear graphites from anthracites and coal/petroleum co-cokes
• Processing coke for isotropic graphite
• Modification of surface chemistry of carbon materials to optimize adsorption
• Use of specialty carbon materials as catalyst supports and adsorbents