David Harper

Professor, School of Natural Resources, UT Institute of Agriculture, UT Knoxville

Dr. Harper received his PhD from Washington State University in 2003. He has a broad background in the manufacturing, designing, and characterization of natural composite materials. His formal training is in the design, manufacture, and mechanics of structural composite materials. Throughout his provisional career, his focus is on making new materials from renewable, plant-based sources. He has specific expertise in coupling natural and synthetic materials including the spectroscopic and mechanical evaluation of interfaces, which is reflected in his publications. Dr. Harper also has a strong interest in lignin and carbon-based materials for energy storage, structural reinforcement, filtration, and remediation.