Polymer Formulation and Characterization Expert and Laboratory Facilities

Expertise

• Materials characterization and testing.
• Polymer structure-property relationships.
• Formulating thermoplastics and elastomers for specific mechanical properties.
• Dielectric (MHz-GHz) property measurement.
• Mechanical, thermal, microscopic, spectroscopic analysis
• Tribology.
• Finite Element Analysis.

Experience

Independent Consultant, 2003 - Present

• Providing polymer characterization and engineering support.

Alcatel Telecommunications, Claremont, NC, Senior Research Scientist, 1999 - 2003

• Nucleating packages for impact modified polypropylenes.
• Thermoplastic compounding for easy access buffer tubes.
• Cost reduction of steel tapes.
• Buffer tube material for emergency repair kits.

Beloit Manhattan Research and Development, PA, Senior Research Scientist, 1992 - 1999

• Failure analysis of roll covers for paper machines.
• Manage polymer characterization group.
• Research of elastomers includes: Adhesion, tribology of elastomers, finite element analysis, compounding, thermal conductivity, acoustic analysis, surface analysis of composites, water transport, linear and non-linear mechanical properties, electron microscopy, EDAX, method development.

Alcoa Technical Center, Alcoa Center, PA, 1990

• Characterized optical response of polyurea coating filled with aluminum flake and iron particles in gigahertz frequency region.

IBM Research, San Jose, CA, 1985 - 1986

• Assisted with designing and developing a monitor to characterize, concentration and orientation of asymmetric iron oxide particles in a flow field.

AMI American Microsystems, Inc., Santa Clara, CA, 1985

• Investigated thermal properties of molding compounds used for IC packaging.

NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 1983 - 1985

• Explored infrared methods to characterize sizing on graphite fibers.

Honors & Publications

Awards

• Adhesion Society Meeting Award

Publications and Patents

• Author and Co-Author of papers, presentations, and meeting materials.
• 9 patents pending.

Education

• Ph.D. Materials Engineering and Science (MESC), Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA
• M.S. Chemistry, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
• B.S. Chemistry, Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY