Philip R. Barnett
Assistant Research Professor of Circular Bioeconomy Systems
University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute
Joint-Faculty: Civil and Environmental Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering
Contact Information:
Philip Barnett is a research assistant professor with the University of Tennessee–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute’s Circular Bioeconomy Convergent Research Initiative. His group seeks to change the end-of-life and waste paradigms for fiber-reinforced composites by developing low-cost, high-performance composite materials with integrated functionality. His lab is equipped with capabilities for traditional composites manufacturing, additive manufacturing, wet chemistry, and materials characterization with a strong emphasis on novel mechanical testing methods.
Current areas of focus include:
- Composites/Additive manufacturing
- Advanced recycling
- Hybrid/multifunctional materials
- Multi-scale mechanical testing and analysis
Barnett earned his doctorate from the University of Tennessee, where he developed a novel manufacturing process for high-performance recycled carbon fiber composites. He later served as a National Research Council postdoctoral fellow at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, studying agile manufacturing of aerospace structural composites. In 2023, Barnett returned to UT as one of the inaugural hires of the UT–Oak Ridge Innovation Institute.
Undergraduate
B.S. Aerospace Engineering, The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2016.
Graduate
PhD, Energy Science and Engineering, The University of Tennessee Knoxville, 2020.
Postdoctoral Training
National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB
Professional Service
SAMPE Tennessee Valley Chapter 2nd Vice Chair (2025-Current)
Faculty Advisor, University of Tennessee SAMPE Student Chapter
Graduate Students
Brianna Greer
PhD Student
Volkswagen Fellow
Energy Science and Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: 2029
Undergraduates
Lindsey Fiscor
Mechanical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2027
Chase Brackenridge
Nuclear Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2028
Ian Mellinger
Mechanical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2027
Lauren Tyler
Nuclear Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2028
Briauna Bonney
Aerospace Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2029
Sophia Tegel
Biomedical Engineering
Anticipated Graduation: Spring 2028
Former Group Members
Micah Vranes, BS Aerospace Engineering, University of Tennessee Knoxville, 2025. Current: Systems Engineer, Lockheed Martin.
Aidan Holihan, BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Tennessee Knoxville, 2026. Current: R&D Engineer, Textron Systems.
Logan Searfoss, BS Aerospace Engineering, University of Tennessee Knoxville, 2026. Current: Georgia Institute of Technology, MS + PhD.
Haylie McKinney, Biomedical Engineering, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Anticipated Graduation: 2027.
Gael Barranco, BS Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Anticipated Graduation: 2027.
Tharika Liyanapathirannehelage, PhD Organic Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, 2023. Current: Assistant Professor, Henderson State University.
Bryan Bartnick, BS Mechanical Engineering, The College of New Jersey, 2026. Current: University of Tennessee Knoxville, PhD.