The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy (CAER) investigates energy technologies to improve the environment; contributes to technically sound policies related to coal, energy and the environment; adds to the teaching and instruction aim of UK by educating students from pre-college to postgraduate levels and being involved in labor force development for Kentucky; promotes UK's objective of developing and benefiting from its Intellectual Property with a balance between the publication of scientific results and patenting; and provides public service through scientific education and its energy-related competencies. The Center for Applied Energy Research (CAER) is one of the University of Kentucky's multidisciplinary research centers. Its energy research provides a focal point for coal and environmental research in Kentucky. Research efforts are directed to: coal cleaning, beneficiation, utilization, and conversion process technologies. Environmental issues relating to fuel use and coal combustion by-products constitute a major effort, along with the derivation of high added-value materials and chemicals from energy resources. The CAER is a non-academic unit that is staffed by professional scientists and engineers, has extensive interactions with faculty members and students, and provides analytical services for outside organizations.