Experience

US Synthetic

• Oil and Gas
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Research Engineer

  • Apr 2013 - Present



Midwest Research Institute

• Senior Chemist

  • Oct 2010 - Jun 2011



Orbital ATK

• United States
• Defense and Space Manufacturing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Material Development Chemist

  • Jan 1998 - Jan 2009

  Conducted study of asbestos use and subsequently developed an OSHA approved method for drying/handling asbestos. Recommended improvements to incoming material characterization for product control; those ideas were implemented plant-wide and are in use today. Developed and conducted test plans to determine validity of specification limits for RSRM liner materials and processing. Used designed experiment to determine consequences of deviating from specification limits. Designed a process for inserting and coating a foam doughnut to create the desired grain design for a solid rocket motor that conformed to the limited crawl space of a motor case. Reformulated high performance propellant to lower burn rate for tactical applications. In the process, a correlation between burn rate and isocyanate type was determined to be useful in tailoring the burn rate. Formulated new flare product that provided new alternative for Army customer. Salvaged out of family rocket motor by presenting data available from previous studies, final booster was successfully launched without additional rework cost or loss of hardware. Developed a coating process for high energy molding powder explosives. Collaborated in the development and testing of low sensitivity, reduced smoke, tactical propellants. Recommended and implemented improvements to flare production mixing process. Engineered a UV-curable high-filler ablative resistant adhesive for securing solid propellant to the inside of a rocket motor; devised a method for curing the adhesive inside of a rocket motor. Involved failure mode analysis of tensile and shear adhesion specimens. Professional Leadership Experience (2006-2008): Led a sub-team of scientists, engineers, and technical support in the development of an energetic material storage and inventory policy that met federal, state and internal company safety requirements. Received high achievement award for services. Show less



ATK-Thiokol

• Adhesive Development Scientist

  • 1998 - 2003

  Designed and tested adhesives for use under extreme temperature and pressure conditions. Developed new chemical procedures and test methods, initiated and guided laboratory testing, and evaluated the performance and usability characteristics of new and established materials. Successful formulation of UV activated high filler adhesives. Performed additional work with experimental energetic materials involving synthesis and process development. Investigated use of UV and Electron Beam curing in adhesive applications. Show less