Intellex Acquires Expert by Big Village

We're thrilled to announce that Intellex has acquired Expert by Big Village, effective March 22, 2024. This strategic move enhances our capabilities and strengthens our commitment to delivering exceptional solutions to our customers.

Stay tuned for more updates on how this acquisition will benefit our clients and experts.

For inquiries or more information, please contact us at info@intellex.com.

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Expert Details

Thermoset and Thermoplastic Composites, Flame Retardancy, Low-Profile Additives, and Shrink Control

ID: 733937 North Carolina, USA

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Expert worked for J.M. Huber Corp.'s Fire Retardant Additives (FRA) business unit for over 13 years, where he lead the thermoset technology area in developing new products, specifically the MoldX product line. By the time of his retirement in 2016 this specialty product line was contributing $10MM in new revenue. These products are MoldX A100, MoldX A110, MoldX P18 and P12, MoldX S45, as well as the newest patented product, MoldX A400. Expert's development of these products required applying knowledge gained through cone calorimetry, surface treatment technology, particle size distribution and rheological studies. Critical to the MoldX product line success was Expert's collaboration with Sales and customers but also Engineering in order to obtain high-volume production and quality control of these products. He was recognized for his creation of the MoldX product line in 2016 with J.M. Huber's Innovation Award.

During his tenure with the same company, Expert worked with customers in developing formulations for passing required application certification tests such as ASTM E84, UL 723, UL94 V0 and 5VA, ASTM E648, ASTM E662 and E162 (Docket 90).

Near the end of his career at Huber, Expert implemented a new product development program in engineering thermoplastics specifically targeting nylon. The flame-retardant effect of magnesium hydroxide was being studied in conjunction with novel char forming technology.

Currently Expert is consulting with a manufacturer of Nitrogen-Phosphorus flame retardants. The area of consultation involves working with customers in flame-retarding thermoplastic composite and thermoset composites, as well as intumescent coatings and caulks.

Expert worked in the field of low-profile additives (shrinkage control) based on polyvinyl acetate for Class A SMC and BMC while at Union Carbide and later Dow Chemical (after acquisition). The advancement of Class A SMC technology required Expert to acquire skills in physical testing, profilometry, UV weathering, and SMC and BMC formulating. He wrote and presented papers on his research about the low-profile mechanism that explained why low-profile additives control shrinkage and improve surface quality of thermoset composites but also explained the hazing and mottling phenomena observed in pigmented low profile formulations.

In order to diversify the product line away from PVAc, Expert led research into the synthesis of polyurethane oligomers as low-profile additives.

Expert was promoted to technical director in 1998 of the Low-Profile Additives SBU. His technical responsibilities were expanded after the Dow Chemical acquisition as Technology Leader to include the Derakane Vinyl Ester Product line.

Consulting with JLS Flame Retardant Chemical Company for improvement of N-P product line with regard to: 1.) customer processes and applications; 2.) introduce these products to potential customers; 3.) maintain existing customers with technical support. Consulted with J.M. Huber for 6 months with the responsibility of training his replacement in all aspects of his former position which include interpretation of cone calorimetry data, particle size analysis, rheology as well as thermoset composite formulating.

Education

Year Degree Subject Institution
Year: 1989 Degree: Ph.D. Macromolecular Chemistry Subject: Interpretation of Electron Spin Resonance Spectra using computer simulation Institution: University of Detroit
Year: 1982 Degree: Masters in the Economc Aspects of Chemistry Subject: Compiled a review paper of polyelectrolyte chemistry Institution: University of Detroit
Year: 1973 Degree: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry Major) Subject: Analytical Chemistry; Organic Synthesis Institution: Bowling Green State University

Work History

Years Employer Title Department
Years: 2003 to 2016 Employer: J.M. Huber Corp. Title: Thermoset Technology Manager Department: Flame Retaradant Additives
Responsibilities:
Fire Retardant Research and Development for new products based on Alumina Trihydrate, Magnesium
Hydroxide and N-P compounds.
- Extensive use of cone calorimeter and rheological data
- Work with customers and production with regard to the introduction of new products
- Support production and sales with regard to any quality issues that might arise
- Supervised two R&D technicians
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1986 to 2003 Employer: Union Carbide Corp. (Dow Chemical) Title: Sr. Scientist/Technical Director/Technology Leader Department: Low Profile Addtiives & Vinyl Ester Resins
Responsibilities:
- R&D leadership in the Poly(vinyl acetate) (Neulon and Sentry product lines) and Vinyl Ester Resin (Derakane product line) business units.
- R&D of low profile additives in SMC, BMC, RTM, pultrusion and other thermoset processes.
- Work directly with customers in order to solve problems related to materials and products
- Work with Marketing for the development and introduction of new products
- Support the Poly(vinyl acetate) unit with programs for more efficient operation with respect to increased capacity, decreased waste, sensible specifications, and increased process capability.
- Provide updates on status and results of R&D programs
- Recommendations on path forward of strategy and issues confronting the businesses.
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1982 to 1986 Employer: University of Detroit Title: Ph.D. Candidate Department: Chemistry Dept.
Responsibilities:
- Research Fellowship granted by Haviland Corp. where the research interest was the development of high molecular weight flocculating agents.
- Ph.D. research involved the study of crosslinked polyacrylamide gels using electron spin resonance.
- Teaching assistant: Introduction to Organic Chemistry and General Chemistry Laboratory.
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1977 to 1982 Employer: Composite Technology Corp. Title: R&D Chemist Department: R&D
Responsibilities:
- Research new composite molding processes for automotive applications, such as exterior body panels and structural support beams.
- Develop thermoset molding formulations for manufacturing
Years Employer Title Department
Years: 1973 to 1976 Employer: Allied Chemical Corp. Title: Analytical Chemist Department: Quality Control Dept.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for quality test methods and specifications in the following areas: epoxy/phenolic encapsulation molding compounds, unsaturated polyester resins, melamine/formaldehyde and urea/formaldehyde molding compounds.

International Experience

Years Country / Region Summary
Years: 1998 to 2002 Country / Region: France, Germany, Italy Summary: Traveled Europe twice a year visiting customers while technical director for Union Carbide Corp.

Career Accomplishments

Awards / Recognition
- 2015 - J.M. Huber Innovation Award - Development of MoldX Product Line
- 2000 – Composite Fabricators Association (CFA) Best Materials Paper Award
- 1993 - SPI/CI Best Materials Paper Award
- 1991 - SPI/CI Best Materials Paper Award
- 1982 – Haviland Corp. Fellowship
Publications and Patents Summary
Expert has been awarded 10 patents. He has 17 publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Fields of Expertise

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