Expert Details
Polymer Processing and Product Development (Films, Fibers, Nanofibers, Nanocomposites)
ID: 724915
Colorado, USA
Expert has extensive experience and recognized accomplishments in process/structure/property relationships in polymers, especially processes involving polymer orientation and crystallization. Polymers in which he has primary experience include polyesters (PET, PEN, PBT, PTT, PLA), polyamides (PA6, PA66), and polyolefins (HDPE, LDPE, PP, UHMW PE etc), as well as polymer blends and copolymers. He knowledge of stress-induced orientation and crystallization has been of particular importance in the control and optimization of microstrucure developement during polymer processing.
FIBER FORMATION
Expert has conceived and led numerous research and development projects on fiber spinning and drawing. These have ranged from fundamental studies on orientation and crystallization phenomena, published in leading scientific journals, to trouble-shooting projects and product development programs. Fiber forming technologies in which he has expertise include melt spinning and drawing, high speed spinning, solvent spinning, and electospinning. He is a pioneer of charge injection electospinning of nanofibers. In addition to numerous journal publications he is editor of the book "Structure Formation in Polymeric Fibers", to which he contributed four chapters.
FILM FORMATION
Expert has in depth knowledge of uniaxial and biaxial film formation, especially the sequential and simultaneous biaxial drawing or polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate film. He has worked with most of the leading polyester film producers on both proprietary and publishable projects, leading to enhanced process control and product performance, and he is author of numerous highly cited publications in this field.
HEAT-SETTING
Expert has significantly enhanced the understanding of heat-setting of oriented, crystalline polymers (especially in PET, PA6 and PA66 fibers and films). Whereas only part of this work has so far been published in the open literature, it has had significant commercial impact in a number of thermosetting processes.
POLYMER STRUCTURE CHARACTERIZATION
Expert’s work in process/structure/process relationships in polymers includes much experience and knowledge of advanced polymer characterization methods, including WAXS, SAXS, SEM, TEM, FTIR, Raman, birefringence, microspectrophotometry, DSC, TMA, and others. Structural and physical parameters include degree of crystallinity, crystalline phases, noncrystalline order, amorphous orientation, topology, crystalline and entanglement networks, rheology, relaxation phenomena etc. He and one of his teams is recognized for developing both laboratory and online methods for measuring amorphous (noncrystalline) orientation in polyethyelene terephthalate using the polymer's intrinsic fluorescence.
NANOFIBERS, NANOPOWDERS AND NANOCOMPOSITES
Expert has worked for more than six years in nanotechnology. He is a pioneer of a method for producing polymer nanofibers at high volume throughputs (including the first polyolefin nanofibers). Applications for these nanofibers include barrier materials, filtration products tissue engineering scaffolds and drug delivery materials. At NanoProducts Corp (recently purchased by PPG Industries), expert has led teams in the development of functional multi-metal oxide nanopowders for dispersion in polymer coatings and nanocomposites, including compositions for haze-free UV-protection in polymer coatings, infrared absorption in transparent nanocomposites, RI-matched rheology modifiers for LED encapsulants, lens polishing, and high performance Li polymer batteries.
ADDITIVES FOR POLYMERS AND FIBERS
Expert has led numerous research and development programs related to diffusion and/or functionality of additives in films, fibers and coatings, including dyes, pigments, organic and inorganic UV absorbers, antibacterial agents, infrared absorbers, optical brighteners and others. Expert has detailed knowledge of the effect of polymer microstructure on small molecule diffusion (e.g. dyes and UV absorbers) in oriented polymers, including development of a semi-empirical free-volume model.
NEW PRODUCT AND NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Expert has many years experience in working with customers, manufacturing and marketing in developing new processes and products. He has also set up various joint development programs with industrial partners including negotiation of licensing agreement, intellectual property rights, etc. His role in leading and managing new product and business development has also involved assessment of market opportunities, analysis of the intellectual property landscape and strategic planning of IP development. In addition, expert has played a leading role in preparing business plans and executive summaries for start-up companies.
Expert has demonstrated ability to link fundamental discoveries to commercial opportunities, and lead highly innovative projects and programs to scientific, technological and commercial fruition.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1983 | Degree: PhD | Subject: Polymer and Fiber Science | Institution: University of Manchester, U.K. |
| Year: 1979 | Degree: BS | Subject: Textile Science and Technology | Institution: Bradford University, U.K. |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2007 to 2008 | Employer: NanoProducts Corporation | Title: Director, Applications Development | Department: |
Responsibilities:He led teams, and worked closely with customers, to develop ceramic nanoparticle compositions for polymer nanocomposites and coatings. These included dispersions for: haze-free UV-protection in polymer coatings; infrared absorption in transparent nanocomposites; RI-matched rheology modifiers for LED encapsulants; lens polishing.NanoProducts was sold to a multinational corporation in January 2008. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2002 to 2007 | Employer: Charge Injection Technologies | Title: Vice President, Research and Development | Department: |
Responsibilities:Reporting to the CEO, he led company’s research, development and engineering activities, including strategic planning, client liaison, staffing, budgeting and team building. He was was responsible for linking and integrating CIT’s teams with the teams of its external partners. Under his technical and operations leadership, CIT developed leading edge polymer nanofiber technology that was licensed via Joint Development Agreements. |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1995 to 2002 | Employer: TRI/Princeton | Title: Director of Research | Department: |
Responsibilities:Reporting to the President/CEO, he was involved in overall strategic planning and was responsible for managing multiple research groups and programs, identifying new research areas and funding sources, and procuring contracts from industry and government. Areas of research and development activities for which he was responsible included:Process/structure/property relationships in polymer fibers and polymer films, Fiber spinning and drawing, Film extrusion, Polymer characterization methods, Characterization and properties of porous materials, Nanoporous materials, Nanofibers, UV protection and photodegradation of polymers, Fiber reinforced composites, Fluid transport in fiber networks, Penetrant diffusion in fibers and films (dyes, UV absorbers, and other functional small molecules). |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1994 to 1995 | Employer: TRI/Princeton | Title: Principal Scientist | Department: |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1988 to 1994 | Employer: TRI/Princeton | Title: Senior Scientist | Department: |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1986 to 1988 | Employer: Rhone-Poulenc | Title: Senior Research Scientist | Department: |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1984 to 1986 | Employer: TRI/Princeton | Title: Staff Scientist | Department: |
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| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1983 to 1984 | Employer: TRI/Princeton | Title: Postdoctoral Fellow | Department: |
Responsibilities: |
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Government Experience
| Years | Agency | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 1995 to 1999 | Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) | Role: Program Leader | Description: He led the preparation, submission and negotiation of two project proposals to NIST. One involved experiments and modeling of fluid (resin) flow in composite materials. The other involved designing and building a state-of-the art instrument for measuring fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion. Securing funding for both projects over a period of four years, he led, and made scientific contributions to, their successful execution. |
| Years: 1998 to 2000 | Agency: DOC (NIST) | Role: Co-PI | Description: He prepared a proposal with Prof. Karl Jacob (Georgia Tech) on Draw Induced Morphology Development and Fiber Architecture, which was funded by NTC. He led TRI/Princeton’s contribution to the program over three years. |
| Years: 2001 to 2003 | Agency: DOC (NIST) | Role: Co-PI | Description: He prepared a proposal, with Dr. Nad Vasanthan, on Lewis Acid-Base Complexation of Poyamide that included collaboration with NCSU. After obtaining funding from NTC, he led the project team at TRI/Princeton. |
International Experience
| Years | Country / Region | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Years: 1988 to 2002 | Country / Region: Europe and Japan | Summary: As Senior Scientist, Principle Scientist and Director of Research at TRI/Princeton, he was involved in numerous projects with major European and Japanese companies that involved frequent visits to their manufacturing and R&D facilities in Europe (including UK, Germany, France, The Netherlands and Sweden) and Japan. |
| Years: 1986 to 1988 | Country / Region: France | Summary: Employed by Rhone-Poulenc at its central research facility near Lyon, he conducted research on PET film for audio-video applications. |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| He is a member of ACS, PPS, Institute of Physics, Fiber Society. |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| He's is a Chartered Physicist (CPhys). |
| Professional Appointments |
|---|
| He has served on various national and international advisory boards and review committees including: Member of the Scientific Advisory Committee of the International Conference on Polymer Fibers (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008), Member of the Governing Council of the Fiber Society (1995-1998 and 2006 - present), Member of the International Advisory Board of the Journal of Fiber Science and Technology (Japan) (1999- present), Member of the National Textile Center Technical Advisory Committee - Materials Science Competency (1995 - 2003). |
| Awards / Recognition |
|---|
| He has received various awards and honors, including the Award for Distinguished Achievement in Fiber Science (1996). He has also been an invited lecturer at numerous international conferences giving, for example, a Plenary Lecture at the International Conference on Oriented Polymers (Montreal, 1998). |
| Publications and Patents Summary |
|---|
| He has published one book, authored/co-authored more than 30 refereed publications, and has given 35 invited lectures and seminars at conferences and corporations internationally. |
Additional Experience
| Expert Witness Experience |
|---|
| He has been involved in litigation consulting for clients of TRI/Princeton in areas of patent infringement, including deposition as an expert witness. An example was a case involving a dispute between two multinational companies over infringement of a tire cord patent. He is currently involved in a litigation case that cannot be disclosed. |
| Training / Seminars |
|---|
| At TRI/Princeton, he helped develop a professional short course in Advanced Fiber Science, including preparation and delivery of two key lectures. He also helped develop a professional short course in Porous Materials. |
| Marketing Experience |
|---|
| He has important insights into the markets and cost drivers in the emerging field of nanotechnology (nanofibers and nanocomposites) as well as a good understanding of the crowded IP landscape in nanotechnology. He is also well informed on technical and market trends in fibers and films, covering a wide range of applications (including medical and electronic). |
| Other Relevant Experience |
|---|
| Detailed IP landscape analysis and advice on IP strategies. Excellent project management skills. Incisive Business Plans for start-ups. Excellent oral presentation and technical writing skills, tailored to technical and non-technical audiences. |
Language Skills
| Language | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| French | Having lived and worked in France for 18 months, his French is reasonably fluent. |
Fields of Expertise
polymer processing, crystalline-polymer structure-property relationship, polymer fiber structure-property relationship, polyethylene terephthalate extrusion, polymer crystallization, polyester fiber production, polyester fiber, nylon fiber, nylon extrusion, film, heat setting, olefin fiber, fiber physics, plastics research and development, biaxially oriented polymer film, synthetic fiber, thermoplastic fiber, polymer structure, polymer characterization, fiber structure-property relationship, nanomaterial, nanocomposite, nanopowder, nanoparticle, nanofiltration, microfiltration, additive, dye diffusion, diffusion theory, ultraviolet absorber, new product development management, new technology business value measurement, innovation, intellectual property rights, commercialization, polymer sheet forming, high-speed spinning neck formation, stage gate process, polymer coextrusion, medical polymer extrusion, market trend, inorganic material performance, polyester extrusion, plastic product development, polymer bulk modulus of elasticity, infrared heater, ideation, bicomponent fiber, pilot line, extruded plastic, extrusion, plastic manufacturing, amorphous polymer, joint venture, melt flow, polypropylene extrusion, polymer flow, injection compression molding, capillary rheometer, polyolefin fiber, polyethylene extrusion, plastics industry, plastic flow, microbial control product development, rapid product development, composite material mechanical property, plastic forming, corporate strategic planning, biomedical product development, pilot plant scale-up, product development cycle time, new product market survey, plastics processing equipment, rubber extrusion, thermoplastic extrusion, plastic molding, material product development, fiber-reinforced composite, hot extrusion, plastic material, polymer extruder, legal patenting, polymer blend, vinal, thermoforming, spandex, polypropylene fiber, polymer, polymer extrusion, polymer compounding, polyethylene, plastic injection molding, planning, injection molding, engineering thermoplastic, Dynel, composite material, composite structure, cold extrusion, carbon fiber, blow molding, acrylic fiber, acetate fiber