Jean-Titouan Heiva Minster-Blondeau

*** ********* ****

SA1 8NL Port Tennant

Swansea

UK

+44-77-32-985-***

acg0e6@r.postjobfree.com

Fluent in: English, French, Spanish, Dutch – proficient in German

Born: May 8th 1987 in Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia.

Citizenship: French

ABLE TO RELOCATE

Multilingual Materials Engineering Doctorate candidate with strong Metallurgical background and multi-

faceted experience including but not limited to: Powder Metallurgy and Ultra High Strength Steel R&D

A keen and passionate, Materials Engineer with Masters of Philosophy and +4 years’ Research & Development

experience in industrial context. Currently undertaking an Engineering Doctorate in Ultra High Strength Steel at

the University of Swansea, Wales sponsored by TATA steel Europe (to be completed end 2015). Extensive

analytical skills and competencies in various processing, testing and analysis techniques required for R&D and

problem solving. Experienced in supervising others, delegating work, process optimisation & heat treatments.

Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills; able to break down complex concepts to adapt content

to suit audience needs. Ability to assess risks, take precautionary measures and help promote safe working practices.

Experience in instruction, team leading and business management (in the water sports sector.)

Qualifications

October 2011- ongoing, Engineering Doctorate in Steel Research at the University of Swansea

Research & Development of new Ultra High Strength Strip Steel grades for TATA steel Europe. Involvement

includes everything from the alloy specification to the hot/cold rolling schedules and crucially; the final heat

treatment design within industrial processing limitations. I have also been consulting for ongoing issues with

various other strip steel grades.

A set of comparatively lean, novel alloyed Boron steel casts I developed are investigated, with successful

production of a Dual Phase type property 1200MPa Ultra High Strength Steel with >15% elongation (first

recorded low Yield Strength to Ultimate Tensile Strength ratio product in its strength category). The product

doesn’t require complex heat treatments and has up to five times superior elongation than competitor products.

The novel precipitate route results in a microstructure with unparalleled isotropy.

The same alloys have the potential of having multiple purposes – with the potential of producing different spec

grades using different processing routes (ongoing research).

A unique & economical continuous annealing methodology incorporating in-situ dilatometry I developed

maximises the use of expensive lab casts & drastically reduces R&D lead times.

ThermoCalc thermodynamics software is employed to predict relevant phase formation in equilibrium and non-

equilibrium conditions. In depth studies into the effects of Nb/Ti/B/Mn/Al/Si alloying additions on solid state

transformation kinetics, microstructure, mechanical properties and process sensitivity are also carried out with

scope for several publications.

For continuous professional development during the EngD scheme I have completed numerou s courses covering not

only materials related topics but also including Business Ethics, Health & Safety Management and Innovation to

Commercialisation (from a business & marketing perspective). These courses help keep note of the bigger picture in

this industry.

2010- September 2011, MPhil in Nanotechnology at the University of Swansea, Wales

Microwave assisted hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO nanocrystals and in -depth analysis of crystal morphology and

surface properties using SEM and angle resolved X-ray Photo-electron Spectroscopy (XPS). This project involved

studying the effect of heat treatments in various environmental conditions on the activation of the surface,

particularly relevant to gas sensing applications. Optimum environmental conditions and heat treatment procedures

were identified for full functionalization of the surface for maximum sensitivity in gas sensing (down to 10ppm

Carbon Monoxide).

2005-2009, Beng Materials Engineering, University of Wales, Swansea

The dissertation was an investigation into the hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanocrystals in a Microwave. This

involved an in-depth analysis of several parameters that affect nucleation and growth of ZnO nanocrystals on Si

substrates prepared with seed layers through spin coating. The dissertation was awarded a 1st.

Modules: Chemical Properties of Materials, Physical Properties, Engineering Manag ement, Composite

Materials, Polymers Properties and Design, Design and Laboratory, Mechanical Properties,

Manufacturing Technology, Materials Resources, Modelling and Simulation of Materials

1998-2005, International Baccalaureate, Rijnlands Lyceum Oegstgeest, The Netherlands

Maths (Higher Level)

Chemistry (Higher Level) - still especially useful to date

Physics (Higher Level)

Transferable skills

Working in research for over 5 years in both academic & industrial context and in various topics has taught me to

be rigorous and systematic in my problem solving approach . This methodology is mostly universal. First I identify

the variables that affect the problem, systematically eliminating those least relevant or out of scope. Then I study the

variables which are of significance to understand their interactions and how they affect the problem. As follows I

solve the problem by altering the variables, though if impractical or unfeasible, suggest potential alternative

solutions.

The following techniques and equipment have been mastered through the years or research in academic &

industrial context:

All relevant aspects of sample mounting & prep for metallography

Scanning Electron Microscopy – Jeol 6100

Field Emission Gun Scanning Electron Microscope – Hitachi S4800

X-Ray Diffraction

Gleeble 3500 – annealing & heat treatments, dilatometry, hot rolling/deformation simulations

Electron Diffraction Spectroscopy – Jeol 35C

White Light Interferometry- (for surface roughness analysis)

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Industrial Mono/Multi mode Microwaves

Cold Isostatic Press

Induction ovens

Nitrogen Gas safety training

The following relevant software has been mastered:

Thermocalc – console mode & graphical mode 3.0 and later versions

Aztec (for EDS data analysis)

CASA-XPS for peak deconvolution

ThreeDify Excel add-on- allows for 3D and 4D graphing simulations of data sets

Photoshop Suite 6

Inventor pro – for annealing/tensile sample design and basic Finite Element analysis

Work Experience

2011-2015, Swansea University

Responsible for supervising and training of Undergraduate/Postgraduate students during lab classes,

training on Gleeble 3500 thermo-mechanical processing machine, ThermoCalc software and EDS. On-

going work in industry with TATA steel Europe to assist R&D team. R&D meetings in Ijmuiden site

(Netherlands) attended, taking active part in presenting results and offering potential alternative solutions

to various problems.

2009-2010, industrial work placement in INASMET/Tecnalia, San Sebastian, Spain

Setting up, operation and modification of a state -of-art mono-mode microwave oven incorporating a

hydraulic press for the Self Propagating Heat Synthesis of TiAl and NiAl alloy. Refurbishment of a

laboratory Spray Drying machine was also carried out. This work placement gave me a unique first

experience learning about industry, ordering parts and having components built and machined to required

specifications, managing a project and working with people from differ ent backgrounds in the business.

2007-2011, Gower Kite Riders

Part time managing and directing of a Kitesurfing/Stand up Paddleboarding/Wake-boarding school as a

British Kitesurfing Association Senior Instructor. This gave an insight into being responsible for other

students and instructors, ensuring all activities were carried out within Health and Safety guidelines .

2001-2007, Various other jobs

My first job was flipping burgers in McDonalds at the age of 14, it was a great reminder of exactly what I

did not want to end up doing! I have been working in several part time jobs before and during University

including catering, bar tending, dish-washing, bulb packaging and industrial printing. Before enrolling in

University I spent a month working in a shipping yard building 40ft catamarans from scratch with

fibreglass and polyester resin. The main thing I take out of these jobs is the experience involving

interpersonal skills; dealing with a boss, other work colleagues and customer service.

Personal details & interests

French by passport, European by heart, I enjoy a variety of sports notably water sports. Having grown up in a

multicultural environment I have always thrived in situation s with people from differing backgrounds.

Stand up Paddleboarding is one of my favourite disciplines and I was a finalist in the 2012 British Stand Up

Paddleboarding Association National championships. When the visibility is adequate (not very often in Wales) I

indulge myself in free-diving and spear-fishing. In the winter I am partial to some powder snow or ice related

activities.

I am also very music oriented; I play the piano with passion since the age of 9. Like an un-quenchable spunge, I

enjoy learning and understanding more about everything in general, but with a focus on science and engineering in

particular.

References

EngD Supervisor: Prof. George Fourlaris, University of Wales Swansea, acg0e6@r.postjobfree.com

Theme Leader: Andrew Littlehales, TATA Product Development, acg0e6@r.postjobfree.com

Masters Supervisor: Prof. Thierry Maffeis, University of Wales Swansea, acg0e6@r.postjobfree.com

Placement supervisor: Dr. Inigo Agote, TECNALIA, San Sebastian, acg0e6@r.postjobfree.com

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