Andrew Dent

Dr. Dent plays a key role in the expansion of Material ConneXion’s technical knowledge base. His primary function is to direct research into innovative products and processes. His research directs the selection of materials to be juried into Material ConneXion’s library and guides the implementation of consultancy projects. His role includes coordinating the monthly jury selections that vote 50-60 new materials into Material ConneXion’s libraries in New York, Milan, Cologne, Daegu, and Bangkok as well as management of the physical library team and our online database.

Dr. Dent received his Ph.D. in materials science from the University of Cambridge in England. Prior to joining Material ConneXion, Dr. Dent held a number of research positions both in industry and academia. At Rolls Royce PLC, Dr. Dent specialized in turbine blades for the present generation of jet engines. He has completed postdoctoral research at Cambridge University and at the Center for Thermal Spray Research, SUNY, Stony Brook, NY. Other research projects, during this period, included work for the US Navy, DARPA, NASA, and the British Ministry of Defense.

Dr. Dent has contributed to many publications and books, and is the co-author of the books ‘Material Connexion: A Global Resource Of New And Innovative Materials For Architects, Artists And Designers’ with George M. Beylerian and “Ultramaterials: How Materials Innovation is Changing the World.” He currently writes “Material Innovatoin” – a bi-weekly column for BusinessWeek’s online Innovation Page. He is a frequent speaker on materials innovation and design across many disciplines.

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