About Us

Max L. Lake, President

Mr. Lake is President and founder of Applied Sciences, Inc., specializing in research and development of advanced materials.  Under his leadership, Applied Sciences, Inc. has developed an international reputation for research and development in carbon and carbon fibers, and has been recognized by the state and federal governments, Industry Week, and R&D Magazine for its technology development achievements.  Mr. Lake is a capable research scientist/engineer, having made contributions to the fields of electron-atom interaction, plasma physics, and carbon research.  Mr. Lake has extensive experience in program management of multidisciplinary groups in the physical sciences.  He has served as principal investigator on several research programs investigating growth and physical properties of vapor grown carbon fibers and carbon nanofibers (VGCF), plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition of diamond and diamond like carbon films, as well as development and property measurements of VGCF composites.

David J. Burton, Director of Research and Development

Mr. Burton is a Chemical Engineer with 16 years experience in the production, scale-up, characterization, and product insertion of carbon nanofibers in polymer composites and other materials.  An experienced Principal Investigator, Mr. Burton’s expertise is in transitioning innovative manufacturing practices from laboratory to full-scale production.  He successfully managed the transition of ASI’s SBIR-funded nanofiber production process into a successful, profitable, world-leading producer of carbon nanomaterials. 

Patrick D. Lake, Project Engineer

Mr. Lake is a Chemical Engineer with experience in growth of VGCF and CNF, and fabrication of high thermal conductivity carbon-carbon composites.  He is well-versed in state-of-the-art composite fabrication and characterization methods.  Mr. Lake has  worked on the production of carbon nanofiber, including the development of a novel carbon nanofiber type, PR-25.  Mr. Lake has led an effort to develop a continuous carbon nanofiber mat product and has overseen work on the silicon deposition of carbon nanofibers.  Additionally, Mr. Lake has made contributions in set-up and operation of quality control measures for ASI’s production affiliate, PPI.  Other experience includes a variety of surface functionalization work performed on carbon nanofibers.

Carla Leer Lake, Ph.D., Polymer Engineer

As a Polymer Engineer, Ms. Leer has studied extensively over the past 7 years the effect of processing on carbon nanofiber morphology and the resultant composite properties. Ms. Leer brings vast amounts of processing expertise with her to Applied Sciences, Inc. and is focusing her time on the development of high quality CNF based composites as well as providing processing advice to customers. She is also actively involved on the development of new methods capable of quantifying the dispersion quality of nano-particles/fibers suspensions, and on finding new routines to efficiently transfer carbon nanofibers excellent properties into composites by looking at the processing-morphology-property relationship dynamics. She is also responsible for the development of new materials.

Erin Patten, Quality Assurance Specialist

Quality Assurance Specialist responsible for developing, implementing, and performing product quality testing for ASI’s manufacturing affiliate, Pyrograf Products, Inc. Ms. Patten is well-versed in ISO standards and quality assurances best-practices for nanomaterials.  Ms Patten is responsible for order processing and review and ensures compliance with Department of Commerce regulations regarding international sale and export of controlled substances. Ms. Patten works with a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers to develop new products for ASI.

Elliot Kennel

Mr. Kennel returns to Applied Sciences Inc. after leading a team at West Virginia University in coal liquefaction, which resulted in what maybe the largest licensing agreement in school history. Research interests include nanomaterial development, alternative energy and environmentally clean chemical engineering processes. Faculty adjunct, Central State University. Holder or co-holder of 6 US patents, with 4 others pending.

Andy Palmer

Mr. Andrew Palmer is a skilled Chemist directly involved in the majority of the contract work ASI performs for its clients.  Andy is well versed in the production of ASI’s Pyrograf-I vapor grown carbon fiber and its derivative products for use in thermal management applications.  He also has extensive experience in the fabrication of composite materials based upon ASI’s carbon nanofiber product lines.  Andy works within a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers to develop new products and materials to meet your thermal management needs.