Samgopiraj Velraj

*** * ****** ***, *** J . Cookeville, TN 38501 . 931-***-**** .

abhnsw@r.postjobfree.com

Dear Hiring Professional,

I wish to apply for the Solid State Research Chemist position in your

company.

I received my Ph.D. in Engineering (Specialization - Material Science) from

Tennessee Technological University, TN in December, 2014 and will be

available to start working by the end of January, 2014.

During my Ph.D., I worked on the development of both carbon and conductive-

oxide based air electrodes for rechargeable metal-air batteries. The

critical issues with different electrode structure design were identified

and suitable materials were proposed and fabricated to resolve these

issues. For my M.S. research, I worked on improving the lifetime of

protective aluminide coatings for ferritic-martensitic alloys and contact

layers of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).

I believe my familiarity with the fabrication/testing/optimization of high

performance cathodes for rechargeable metal-air batteries will help me be

resourceful and contribute to the pertaining research. I also had the

opportunity of working on several start-up projects in the energy sector

under the supervision of my advisor resulting in first author journal

publications (four papers to date and others in review/preparation).

My resume is attached for your consideration. Please let me know if you

need any further information. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Samgopiraj Velraj

Date: January 14, 2015

Samgopiraj Velraj

822 N Willow Ave, Apt J . Cookeville, TN 38501 . 931-***-****

abhnsw@r.postjobfree.com

PROFILE

Self-motivated Ph.D. candidate with demonstrated research expertise in

fabricating and evaluating bi-functional air electrodes for rechargeable

metal-air batteries.

Experimental techniques: Catalyst synthesis and testing, XRD

characterization, electrochemical characterization (cyclic voltammograms,

rotating disk electrode experiments, durability, etc.), impedance

spectroscopy, SEM and EDAX.

Instructor for under graduate and graduate material science courses.

Experience in modeling and analysis using FORTRAN, AutoCAD, Pro-E, and

ANSYS

Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

EDUCATION

Tennessee Technological University, TN

Ph.D. Engineering

December, 2014

M.S. Mechanical Engineering

2010

Anna University, Chennai, India

B.E. (B.S.) Mechanical Engineering

2007

RESEARCH EXPEREINCE

Ph.D. Engineering (Material Science)

2010 - 2014

Bi-functional electrodes - Rechargeable metal-air batteries

Identification of new catalyst material

Proposed Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3-? as a new bi-functional catalyst for rechargeable

metal-air battery applications after studying different catalyst materials.

Compared the electrochemical performance and cyclic lifetime of air

electrodes prepared with Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3-? and a commonly used

La0.6Ca0.4CoO3 catalyst.

Carbon-based electrode

Studied the effect of the catalyst (La0.6Ca0.4CoO3) morphology/size and

graphitization of carbon support on the electrochemical performance and

cyclic lifetime of the bi-functional electrode. Identified the change in

degradation mechanism of a bi-functional carbon-based electrode due to the

change in testing parameters. Contributed to the understanding of the

influence of various testing conditions and the limitations of carbon as a

support material for bi-functional air electrode.

Non-carbon electrode

Synthesized perovskites (LaNi0.9Mn0.1O3 and LaNi0.8Co0.2O3) and NiCo2O4

spinel nanoparticles and fabricated carbon-free bi-functional electrodes

using these materials. Evaluated the electrochemical performance and

stability of the electrodes at both oxygen evolution and reduction

reactions. Identified the electrolyte flooding issues causing the

degradation of perovskite-based electrodes. Proposed NiCo2O4-based

electrode as an alternative to carbon-based bi-functional electrode for

metal-air batteries.

Characterization of high temperature oxide scales - Impedance spectroscopy

Identified, characterized and modeled the growth of individual oxide scales

formed on the cobalt-coated Crofer 22 APU ferritic steel via oxidation at

high temperature using impedance spectroscopy. Predicted the growth rate of

the oxide scales using the obtained experimental data.

Solid oxide fuel cells - Contact materials

Studied different stoichiometric cobalt-manganese and copper-manganese

spinels as a cathode-side contact material for interconnect in solid oxide

fuel cells.

M.S. Mechanical Engineering

2008 - 2010

Aluminide diffusion coating on ferritic-martensitic alloys - Lifetime model

Modeled the interdiffusion behavior of Al-rich oxidation resistant

aluminide coating on ferritic-martensitic alloys using a finite difference

FORTRAN model.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Tennessee Technological University, TN

Instructor: Materials and Processes in Manufacturing (ME3010)

Fall, 2013

Lectured and was the sole responsibility for the course work and laboratory

demonstrations.

Teaching assistant: Materials and Processes in Manufacturing (ME3010),

Mechanical Properties of Materials (ME4460/ME5460)

2010 - present

Graded, substituted for the instructor and also conducted laboratory

demonstrations.

WORK EXPERIENCE

CADD Center, Chennai, India May, 2007 -

June, 2008

Trained designers from industries and technical background students on

commercial design and analysis softwares such as AutoCAD, Pro-E and ANSYS.

PUBLICATIONS

S. Velraj, and J. H. Zhu, "Carbon-free NiCo2O4-based Bi-functional

Electrode for Rechargeable Metal-Air Battery Applications," in preparation,

to be submitted to J. Electrochem. Soc.

S. Velraj, and J. H. Zhu, "Effect of the Testing Conditions on the

Performance of Bi-functional Electrodes for Rechargeable Metal-Air

Battery," under review, submitted to J. Electrochem. Soc.

S. Velraj, and J. H. Zhu, "Cycle Life Limit of Carbon-based Electrodes for

Rechargeable Metal-Air Battery Application," J. Electroanal. Chem,

accepted.

S. Velraj, J. H. Zhu, A. S. Painter, S. W. Du, and Y. T. Li, "Impedance

Spectroscopy of the Oxide Films formed during High Temperature Oxidation of

a Cobalt-plated Ferritic Alloy," J. Power Sources, 247, 314 (2014).

S. Velraj, and J. H. Zhu, "Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3-? - A New Bi-functional Catalyst

for Rechargeable Metal-Air Battery Applications," J. Power Sources, 227, 48

(2013).

S. Velraj, Y. Zhang, E. W. Hawkins, and B. A. Pint, "Interdiffusion

Behavior of Al-rich Oxidation Resistant Coatings on Ferritic-Martensitic

Alloys," Mater. Corros., 63, 909 (2012).

AWARDS

"Eminence Best Paper Award" - 2014, Tennessee Technological University,

Cookeville, TN.

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