Michael Richard Kessler
- Associate Professor
- Materials Science and Engineering
Main Office
2220 HooverAmes, IA 50011-2300
Phone: 515-294-3101
Fax: 515-294-5444
Education
- Ph.D. Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2002
- M.S. Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1998
- B.S. Engineering (Mechanical), LeTourneau University, Longview, TX, 1996
Interest Areas
- Manufacturing techniques for polymer composites
- New smart materials (including the development of self-healing structural composites)
- Polymer matrix composites and nanocomposites for extreme environments
- Bio-based polymers and composites
- Evaluation of these materials using experimental solid mechanics techniques and thermal analysis
Brief Biography
Dr. Michael R. Kessler is an associate professor of Materials Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering at Iowa State University where he teaches and does research in the mechanics, processing, and characterization of polymer matrix composites, nanocomposites, and bio-based polymers. In addition to his responsibilities as an associate professor at Iowa State, he is an associate of the Department of Energy (DOE) Ames Laboratory and is an affiliate of the Biopolymers and Biocomposites Research Group of the Center for Crops Utilization Research at Iowa State. He has an active research group with external funding of over ten million dollars—including funding from the National Science Foundation, the Army Research Office, Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) and NASA. His honors include Young Investigator Awards from the Army Research Office and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, an NSF CAREER award, and the Elsevier Young Composites Researcher Award from the American Society for Composites. He has published over 80 journal papers, holds 6 patents, edited a book on the characterization of composite materials, presented more than 100 talks at national and international meetings, and serves as a frequent reviewer and referee in his field. Honors and Awards- Iowa State University Award for Early Achievement in Research, 2011
- Research Recognition Awards, NASA Iowa Space Grant Consortium, 2012
- Invited participant in the National Academy of Engineering's Frontiers of Engineering Education Symposium, 2010
- NSF CAREER Award 2010-2015
- Elsevier Young Composites Researcher Award from the American Society for Composites, 2009 Awarded to a member of the composites community who early in their career has made a significant impact on the science and technology of composite materials through a sustained research effort.
- Akinc Excellence in Teaching Award, Materials Science and Engineering Department, 2007-2008, (includes $2,500 professional development grant).
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research Young Investigator Award, 2008-2010.
- Akinc Excellence in Teaching Award, Materials Science and Engineering Department, 2007-2008.
- Army Research Office Young Investigator Award, 2004-2007.
- Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Iowa, 2006.
- Best Paper Award, American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) in Instrumentation Division at the 2005 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition.
- Best Paper Award, American Society for Composites (ASC) in Polymer Matrix Composites Division at 16th Annual ASC Technical Conference 2001.
- The Tech Museum Award, Finalist, The Tech Museum of Innovation. San Jose, CA. 2001.