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HYDROGEL; POLYELECTROLYTES. Expert's fundamental knowledge in polyelectrolytes and their interaction with small and large molecules has enabled him to offer consultation in diverse industries, including personal care, healthcare, cable wrap, food packaging, railroad, paper, and wastewater treatment. He has developed strategic plans for his clients to integrate R&D with business needs. He conducted technology searches, undertook contract research, and evaluated and recommended the most cost effective and superior performance materials. Expert has conducted training and offered seminars for R&D and marketing staff of client companies. He has developed and applied polyelectrolyte theory for fundamental understanding of acid-base properties, swelling, ion-exchange, and binding in crosslinked resins and fibers with demonstrated impact in the general area of superabsorbent polymers.

ABSORBENT MATERIAL; SUPERABSORBENT POLYMER. Expert has extensive expertise and technical skills in superabsorbents, fibers, and surface science. He has developed multi-functional absorbent materials for personal hygiene products. He applied the concept of protein-polymer interaction to design catamenial products. He critiqued research programs for moisture management of a major healthcare company and recommended alternative research strategies. Expert reviewed an invention and offered suggestions to further strengthen the invention and improve the technical content of the patent application.

CELLULOSE; CELLULOSE CHEMISTRY; CELLULOSE PULP. Expert offers expertise in many aspects of cellulose, including cellulose chemistry and the fine structure, cellulose surface modification, bonding, crosslinking, wet-end chemistry, specialty pulp, and air laid and wet laid processes. His expertise in wet-stable fiber network is sought by major producers of specialty pulp and manufacturers of adhesive, nonwoven, and superabsorbent products. He has characterized and evaluated non-woody pulp and made recommendations regarding prioritization of research for industrial application of the pulp.

Expert developed a new cellulose-based high-strength structural material for a major corporation. He managed and executed various phases of the project. He was involved in the development of the materials, processes, and the transfer of technology from laboratory to the production. He also played a role in optimization and improvement of processes at the production level. He coordinated research with external laboratories, vendors, and client customers to achieve performance driven customer needs. In addition, Expert conceived and directed a project on value-added hemicelluloses as substitutes for natural gums and initiated a project on thermochemical degradation of cellulose for conversion into useful chemicals.

FIBER SURFACE MODIFICATION. Expert directed research on surface modification of polymeric materials to tailor surface energy characteristics for applications in enhanced wettability, bonding, and polymer compatibility. He developed non-formaldehyde-based resilient fibers and fiber networks for multifunctional attributes in paper and personal care products. (Patents are pending.)

INTERNATIONAL SOURCING; EMERGING MARKETS. Having lived and worked in four different continents of the world, Expert has served clients in the European Economic Community, Scandinavia, and India and participated in technology search in Japan. He has offered on-site as well as home-based consultation in water-soluble and water-swellable polymers to global chemical companies in the UK and India. He has assisted in product improvement and in becoming an effective technical collaborator and partner in emerging markets. He has conducted technology searches, located vendors, and partners for joint development.


Most of Expert's consulting has been on-site, which has been highly successful. One recent consultation resulted in a long term contract research, where he developed new materials and products. He conceived and developed the products with superior performance. He was also heavily involved in the development of the processes, transfer of technology from laboratory to production, and optimization and improvement of the processes at the production scale. A convincing demonstration to his client's customer resulted in proceeding to Phase II of the project, bypassing Phase I development. Expert coordinated research with external laboratory, vendors, and customer to achieve performance driven market needs.
Several other on-site consultations developed into a long term retainer contracts or short term projects. These included developing strategic plans for research programs to integrate R&D with business, providing expertise (fundamentals and technical skills), reviewing and critiquing research programs, prioritizing research programs, assessing market and commercial potential for the product, and technical input for patent applications.