Research Engineer, Analytical Chemist

Erinn Scott Sorge

Inquisitive materials science engineer with interests in characterization, analytics, and research and development related positions. Lab savvy, flexible, and self-motivated with a strong background in optimizing, processing and synthesizing. Well versed in analytical work ranging from conductivity, vitamins and minerals, crystal structures, phase and fuel conversion, contaminants and rheology.

EXPERIENCE

Knowledgeable in characterizing and analyzing a variety of materials, from ceramics, metals, polymers, raw materials, to vitamins and minerals.

Principal lead for XRD, GC, microscopy, Helium leak detection and particle sizing equipment.

oQualified and trained in HPLC, FTIR, SEM, and KF among other equipment.

oConducted equipment setup, maintenance, troubleshooting, qualifications and calibrations.

Lead engineer for processes involving milling and mixing, spray drying, thin film applications, sintering studies and casting techniques.

Fabricated, prepped and conducted testing on fuel and electrolyte cells.

oTested cells at temperatures up to 800C, with fuels ranging from hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and direct carbon sources such as plastic and coal.

Acclimated to various environments, from concept and prototyping work, to the health and medical field, as well as highly regulated manufacturing.

Literature surveying to summarize, evaluate, educate and manage decisions.

oInsights for alternative synthesis, new equipment and processes, and formula ingredients.

Composed materials testing and fabricating procedures, visual documents, deviation and CAPA investigations and research grant and proposal applications.

oProficient in MS Office use for these needs.

Employment

Analytical Chemist Sept 2018 – Current

RB contract through Apex Life Sciences and Manpower West Valley City, UT

Responsible for R&D stability testing and document needs for RB Airborne products.

Conducted stability testing and research for vitamins and minerals supplements.

oTesting of pilot batches for degradation rates and label claims.

oEvaluated vendor changes and incoming raw materials.

Handled calibrations and method validations for HPLC testing, Vitamin C titrations, hardness testing, and Karl Fischer equipment.

oInvestigated improving existing methods via new columns or changes to procedures, with reducing time, confusion and monetary goals.

Competent in laboratory software needs such as StarLIMS, Labware, Agilent Slims and Empower, for data and test results compliancy and auditing needs.

Strict GDP and GMP compliancy comparable to QC lab environment.

Trained in the use of TDS, TrackWise, and CARA programs, to create, change, review and compile needed documents used in product launches, dossiers, audits, and CAPAs.

oCreated new forms or changes, and acquired the needed reviews for implementation, for modifications in product specifications, SOP’s and test methods.

Expanded knowledge in FDA/global compliancy, regulations and testing in VMS field.

Quality Assurance Specialist Oct 2017 – Dec 2017

Becton Dickinson contracted through Ramsoft Systems, Inc. Sandy, UT

Responsible to compile, update and approve medical device reports for an FDA query without error, while working within a stressed time restriction for the 3-month contract.

Familiarized to FDA medical device regulations and customer complaint procedures

Converting BD’s expanding product inventory to align with existing procedures.

Worked in CRS, TrackWise and SAP software for tracking and reporting of medical devices.

Materials Research Engineer June 2005 – Jan 2017

Materials and Systems Research, Inc. (MSRI) (Closed Jan 2017) Salt Lake City, UT

Research and Development lab with expertise in advanced ceramics. Founded by professors from the University of Utahs’ Materials Science Department. Funding came from government/military research grants to investigate energy production, fuel conversion, hydrogen production, and Beta”-Alumina batteries. Initially hired prior to graduation as a tech for a year, fabricating and testing fuel cells. Promoted to a research engineer upon graduating in May 2007. Managed all fabrication, optimization and testing processes for tubular cell projects for 10 years. Other assignments included transparent and zero thermal expansion ceramics, glass and composite seals, magnetic ferrites, colloidal pressing and Beta”-Alumina battery and conversion research. Eventually commercialized several unique ceramic powders, but company closure ended progress.

FUEL/ELECTROLYTE CELL R&D

Main fabricator for all tubular fuel cells, cross-trained in planar production as well

Created tubular cells from raw powders, by casting, applying thin film electrolytes, and cathode layers. Required many firing steps.

Prepped cells for testing with conductive contacts and sealing procedures.

Operated cell testing with fuels ranging from hydrogen, coal (coke stacks), plastic incineration, carbon monoxide and natural gases, at temperatures up to 800C.

Built test bed setups including safety controls and the conducted training for testing.

Developed process improvements, investigated catalysts effects and optimized many small modifications in efforts to maximize power, conductivity and conversion rates.

Expertise in the following processes for manufacturing cells:

o Powder synthesis, milling, porosity schemes, mold/die designing, slurry/suspension preparation (rheology), bisque/sintering studies, infiltrating and numerous thin film applications.

Investigated direct carbon fuels from coal and plastic sources.

o Extensive Gas Chromatographer use for conversion/efficiency evaluations.

Researched high temperature glass/polymer/composite seals for stability and cycling needs.

oUsed helium leak detection equipment and time elapsed dye-pen testing.

Preliminary work in extruded anode composites.

TRANSPARENT CERAMICS

Created several transparent ceramics by optimizing synthesis, sintering and processing procedures.

Compositions included YSZ, Alumina, YAG and tungstate-based ceramics.

oTransparent, zero thermal expansion properties for missile dome applications.

Investigated and conducted initial work into alternative synthesis routes:

oPlasma Spray deposition including in-situ sintering, spark plasma sintering (SPS), electrophoretic deposition (EPD), Plasma Vapor Deposition (PVD) and nanoparticle sol-gel synthesis.

Optimized processing for transparent properties, mainly using nanoparticles.

o Hot/Cold isostatic pressing, colloidal filtration pressing, spray drying, and particle refinement/distribution using a Netzsch fluidizer.

XRD, SEM with EDAX, FTIR, density, microscopy, Instrom, optical transparency and other analytical equipment used to evaluate and determine processing effectiveness/transparency and mechanical properties.

Major contributor to published articles on transparent ceramics, however most fuel cell and battery research results were proprietary work.

POWDER COMMERCIALIZATION

Experiences gained from various projects, gave insights into synthesis and conversion processes for several unique ceramics, these were used in efforts to expand MSRI earnings and portfolio.

Powders available in both crystalline and spherical morphology.

Beta”-Alumina, Barium Ferrites, NaSiCon, and YAG powders

Only 6-7 months of progress until company closure in January 2017.

Total Orders around 20kg with values of $1000 to $2500/kg, mainly Beta”-Alumina.

Health Information Archiving Specialist Sept 2001-Oct 2005

IHC HOME CARE-Metro Location Salt Lake City, UT

Created inventory of medical records in Excel.

Compiled and restructured data within the Access system transfer.

Transitioned home care records to a central records facility.

Responsible to learn regulations and train the medical records department in retention laws, for archiving timelines, storage facility, as well as State and insurance requirements for records.

Wrote procedures for archiving, tracking and retrieval of records as well as retention codes.

Education

BS Materials Science and Engineering, minor in Chemistry, emphasis in ceramics

In-depth classes included X-Ray Diffraction, Polymers, Semi-Conductors, Kinetics and Material Characterization

Previous Organizations

MRS- Materials Research Society

ACS- American Ceramics Society

Published Articles

Available: www.researchgate.net/profile/ErinnSorge and www.linkedin.com/in/erinn-sorge

1)Thermal expansion behaviors of yttrium tungstates in the WO3-Y2O3 system, Ceramics International 39-201*-****-****, DOI 10.1016/jceramint.2013.04.024

2)Synthesis and characterization of Al2-xScx(WO4)3 ceramics for low-expansion infrared-transmitting windows, Journal of Materials Science 47(17):6286-6296 Sept 2012, DOI 10.1007/s10853-012-6548-2

3)Synthesis, characterization, and densification of Al2-xScx(WO4)3 ceramics for low-expansion infrared-transparent windows, Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 8016 80160D-1, DOI 10.1117/12.884035

4)Effect of MgO addition on crystalline phase formation and thermal expansion of a Barium aluminosilicate solid oxide fuel cell glass-ceramic sealant. (ICACC-S3-029-2011) ww.netl.doe.gov/publications/proceedings/10/seca/Abstracts/Dasgupta.pdf

Murray, UT 84123

Cell: 801-***-****

Email: ***********@*****.***

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