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Expert is an Adjunct Professor in the Packaging Science Department at the Rochester Institute of Technology where he teaches plastics processing and research methods. He has extensive experience with the extrusion and thermoforming of cellular plastics, especially polystyrene foam. He is knowledgeable of the polystyrene resin degradation impact on foam properties and the shear rate viscosity data for polystyrene blowing agent mixtures. He is familiar with product design and prototype development and can assist with equipment procurement. Expert can supply and set up laboratory equipment for the characterization of foam sheet and products including cell size, orientation, and open cell content.

Expert has conducted fundamental studies of properties related to process variables. He developed a process for production of tough and flexible meat trays. Expert is proficient with developing tests to study cell size, volatile content, orientation, and mechanical properties. He managed the development of a unique recycling system based on thermal densification. He can help with manufacturing cost estimates and competitive product testing. Expert managed the implementation of McDonald's foam product containers. He is knowledgeable of the foam market (including institutional and consumer segments), plant design, start-up and safety requirements, emission (VOC) studies, microwave applications of foam products, and tooling design and fabrication. He has applied statistical process control, design of experiments, process capability studies, and quality criteria and test methods to polymer foam processes. Expert has access to a 3 1/2" by 4 1/2" foam extrusion line and can supply foam sheet samples and conduct developmental projects. He can also supply prototype tooling and semi-commercial quantities of products for early market testing.

Expert is experienced in developing new plastic products. This includes trash bags (he developed 2-ply and cinch sak products for Hefty), food product containers, and TFPP microwaveable product containers. He has conducted fitness-for-use customer interviews, developed a system for screening new product ideas, and has strong technical-marketing skills. His vendor contacts enable Expert to obtain semi-commercial quantities of new products. Because of his strong project management background, he can deliver management presentations related to manufacturing costs, capital requirements, and methods to reduce time-to-market. Expert has assisted in the development of a modified atmosphere packaging system (machine and packaging material) to extend the shelf life of fresh cut red meat.

Expert has experience with low-cost thermoforming tooling and thermoforming productivity improvements. He led the development of a unique steam operated thermoformer for polystyrene foam and of a new Irwin thermoformer that yielded a 50% productivity improvement for OPS. He has used laboratory equipment to test full-scale production methods.