PNNL

Kevin Simmons has been leading polymer science and engineering research at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory since 1991 and is currently the leader of the Applied Materials and Manufacturing group, which includes the Polymer and Composite Materials team.

As an international leader in clarifying the effects of hydrogen on polymers used in hydrogen infrastructure, Simmons co-leads the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Materials Compatibility Consortium and the HyBlend initiative. He also leads efforts surrounding high-pressure hydrogen storage systems.

Additionally, Simmons has worked with the transportation industry to develop innovative lightweight materials and smart advanced manufacturing approaches for vehicle weight reduction in light-duty vehicles and heavy-duty trucks. He currently leads a thrust effort in artificial intelligence manufacturing for composites to advance the inverse design process. His efforts in energy-efficient materials utilization are also reflected in programs focused on packaging and composites, where he works to recover carbon fiber and thermosetting resins for reuse to reduce energy consumption.

Simmons is passionate about paying it forward. He helped develop the curriculum and vision for Delta High School—the only science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) high school in the Tri-Cities—where he mentored more than 50 interns.

• Polymers with cryogenic hydrogen
• Composite materials
• Polymer and composite manufacturing processes
• Material compatibility with hydrogen
• Energy-efficient material solutions
• Hydrogen infrastructure
• Part design
• Mechanical engineering
• Material science and engineering

• PhD in material science and engineering, Washington State University
• MS engineering management, Washington State University
• BS in mechanical engineering, Central Washington University

• Federal Laboratory Consortium Award, 2022 and 2008
• Distinguished Inventor of Battelle, 2018
• R&D 100 award, 2006 and 2004
• PNNL Fitzner-Eberhard Laboratory Directors Award for Science Education, 2000

• US Pat. 12,029,175 “Plat Supplement Delivery Assemblies, and Methods for Delivering Plant Supplement” 2024
• US Pat. 11,407,200 “Joined fiber-reinforced composite material assembly with tunable anisotropic properties” 2022
• US Pat. 10,786,973 “Joined fiber-reinforced composite material assembly with tunable anisotropic properties” 2020
• US Pat. 10,301,769 “Stretchable Fiber-Based Composite Material” 2018
• US Pat. 10,093,085 “Composite Materials with Binder-enhanced Properties and Method of Production Thereof” 2018
• US Pat. 10,016,914 “Positive Displacement Molding of Plastic Parts” 2018
• US Pat. 9,993,993 “Joined fiber-reinforced composite material assembly with tunable anisotropic properties,” 2018
• US Pat. 9,234,626 “Conformable pressure vessel for high pressure gas storage,” 2016
• US Pat. 8,889,097 “Variable Concentration Slurry Reactor System and Fixed Bed Reactor for Externally Regenerated Chemical Hydride System.” 2014
• US Pat. 7,943,073 “Composite Materials and Method of Making” 2011
• US Pat. 7,691,174 “Feedstock composition and method of using same for powder metallurgy forming a reactive metal” 2010
• US Pat. 7,629,028 “Methods of making monolayers” 2009
• US Pat. 7,588,798 “Methods of making monolayers” 2009
• US Pat. 7,585,458 “Method of using a feedstock composition for powder metallurgy forming of reactive metals” 2009
• US Pat. 7,585,348 “Feedstock composition for powder metallurgy forming of reactive metals” 2009
• US Pat. 7,169,321 “Biobased deicing/anti-icing fluids” 2007
• US Pat. 7,105,105 “Deicing/anti-icing fluids” 2006
• US Pat. 6,723,426 “Composite material and method of making” 2004
• US Pat. 6,556,138 “Secure storage and transport container for the handling of controlled materials,” 2003
• US Pat. 5,796,108 “Large Area Pam” 1998
• US Pat. 5,266,035 “Lung Pair Phantom” 1993

View ORCiD for complete list

2024

• Chen Y., Z. Gao, S.A. Hoo, V. Tipnis, R. Wang, I. Mitevski, and D. Hitchcock, et al. 2024. "Sequential Dual Alignments Introduce Synergistic Effect on Hexagonal Boron Nitride Platelets for Superior Thermal Performance." Advanced Materials 36, no. 25:Art. No. 2314097. PNNL-SA-196277. doi:10.1002/adma.202314097
• Li Y., Y. Shin, W. Kuang, and K.L. Simmons. 2024. "Phase field modeling of hydrogen release in nitrile-butadiene rubber composites after high-pressure hydrogen exposure." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 59. PNNL-SA-191921. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.02.017
• Qiao Y., S. Ko, J.L. Ramos, E.K. Nickerson, A.C. Denny, G.M. Schuler, and N.L. Brown, et al. 2024. "Effects of Processing Temperature, Pressure, and Fiber Volume Fraction on Mechanical and Morphological Behaviors of Fully-recyclable Uni-directional Thermoplastic Polymer-fiber-reinforced Polymers." Composites Part C: Open Access 14, no. _:Art. No. 100497. PNNL-SA-196537. doi:10.1016/j.jcomc.2024.100497
• Qiao Y., S. Ko, Y. Shin, and K.L. Simmons. 2024. "Exploring Failure of Adhesively-Bonded Joints with Different Void Sizes at the Same Void Volume Fraction through A Micro-scale Numerical Modeling." In ASME - Annual Aerospace Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference (SSDM 2024), April 29 - May 1, 2024, Renton, WA, Paper No: SSDM2024-121222, V001T03A022. New York, New York:American Society of Mechanical Engineers. PNNL-SA-192432. doi:10.1115/SSDM2024-121222
• Qiao Y., Y. Shin, J.L. Ramos, M.H. Engelhard, R.J. Seffens, D.R. Merkel, and K.L. Simmons. 2024. "Plasma Treatment on Both Adhesive Tape and Adherends for Significantly Enhanced CFRTP-related Adhesive Joints." Applied Surface Science 649. PNNL-SA-189464. doi:10.1016/j.apsusc.2023.159092
• Qiao Y., Y. Shin, S. Ko, A. Samanta, R.J. Seffens, J.L. Ramos, and D.R. Merkel, et al. 2024. "Equivalent Properties of Interfacial Void Defects at the CFRTP-adhesive Interface and Their Detrimental Effects on the Bonding Performance of Metal-CFRTP Dissimilar Joints." In Annual Aerospace Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference (SSDM 2024), April 29 - May 1, 2024, Renton, WA, Paper No: SSDM2024-120848, V001T03A021. New York, New York:American Society of Mechanical Engineers. PNNL-SA-191930. doi:10.1115/SSDM2024-120848
• Simmons K.L. 2024. H2 Materials Compatibility of Low Cost, High Pressure, Polymer H2 Dispensing Hoses - CRADA 399 (Abstract). PNNL-35285. Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
• Yu Z., N. Kanbargi, S. Gupta, Y. Shin, Y. Qiao, C.C. Bowland, and D.R. Merkel, et al. 2024. "Acrylonitrile-butadiene-lignin thermoplastic rubber adhesive for enhanced metal-to-metal joining." Polymer Composites 45, no. 8:7178-7190. PNNL-SA-195240. doi:10.1002/pc.28258