(385aq) Advanced Materials and Process Development for Chemical Production

I am a postdoctoral research associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory currently working on porous liquids-based adsorbents and membranes for carbon capture applications. I obtained my PhD at Georgia Tech working on rational design, synthesis, and characterization of nanoporous materials (Metal-Organic Frameworks: MOFs) along with their integration in energy-efficient chemical separations. The project specifically focuses on MOF-acid gas (SO₂, and NO₂) interactions at both molecular and macroscopic scales. I also worked on the upcycling of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), focused on developing low-cost and efficient separation processes for fractionating complex solid mixtures resulting from mechanocatalytic depolymerization of PET.

My postdoctoral and doctoral thesis projects were to develop novel and unorthodox strategies to design and synthesize functional porous materials, which has enabled me to acquire advanced analytical skills with a suite of material characterization techniques such as IR spectroscopy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), X-ray and neutron diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), etc. The latter phase of these projects focuses on developing structure-property relationships (thermodynamic and kinetics) for functional testing of performance such as chemical separations and gas diffusion. With both these projects I have gained expertise in synthesizing and evaluating (liquid and gas adsorption separation) a variety of novel materials like zeolites, metal- and covalent- organic frameworks (MOFs and COFs), ionic liquids and amine solutions for gas separations.

The PET upcycling project at Georgia Tech aimed at developing an industrially relevant separation process flow for the recovery of both ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid from depolymerized PET. This project specifically enabled the design of processes with our collaborators at Kolon Industries and allowed me to understand industrial requirements. Before grad school, during my industry experience working at SRF Limited, I was involved in the design and development (PFD and P&ID) of a new $1.5M Electrochemical Facility for the synthesis of proprietary intermediates with associated processing and storage facilities. My work at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) focused on developing and maintaining over forty electrochemical processes for satellite parts including pattern-up plating for micro integrated chips.

Overall, both my research (material synthesis, characterization, and functional testing) and industrial experience (process design PFD, P&ID) will strongly position me to approach complex industrial problems by combining fundamental knowledge of advanced materials with innovative process design strategies. These diverse experiences also allowed me to work with multiple problems at scales ranging from microscopic materials to macroscopic chemical processes for new energy technologies. I have consistently fostered and improved a culture of safety in the labs and workplace. I also represented Georgia Tech at the 2023 ExxonMobil partners in academic lab safety workshop. It would be an honor to work with a fast-paced and agile team. I have attached my resume for review, and I appreciate your time and consideration. Please contact me to discuss my research, technical skills, and potential opportunities.