Education
Brief Bio
Dr. Petersen is a research scientist in the Engineering and Mining Experiment station, where he trains and assists users on the Empyrean XRD, Helios and Axia SEM, and Talos TEM. He has been an operator of materials characterization tools since 2009. His interests outside the lab include hiking, backpacking, and fishing.
Research Expertise
Dr. Petersen's research has included synthesis of nanomaterials, advanced ceramics, polymer composites, and various direct write and additive manufacturing fabrications of devices incorporating these materials. More recent research has included characterization of additive manufacturing materials, large data analysis of critical materials, and development of structural ceramics from low grade or waste material streams. His efforts in these research fields share an emphasis of intensive materials characterization to better understand process and property outcomes.
Teaching
Dr. Petersen teaches a course on practical theory and operation of FIB-SEMs, and co-instructs another on characterization of defects in materials by XRD and TEM. The core philosophy of his courses embraces an experiential learning environment, where students explore concepts by applying theoretical methods to their research materials of interest.