Chemical Engineering, Polymer nanocomposites, catalysis

Yuping Xie

*** *** ***

River Edge, NJ *****

201-***-**** (H), 201-***-**** (C)

*************@*****.***

Career Summary

I have more than 10 years of experience in Chemical Engineering. My strengths are in the polymer nanocomposites, nanoparticles, heterogeneous catalysis, renewable energy and comprehensive characterization skills, such as scattering (light, neutron and X-ray) measurement, (cryo) microtome, thermal analysis, tensile testing, chromatography and Rheometer, etc.

Paper Review Experience

10/2011-present Reviewer, for many famous Journals in the areas of polymer nanocomposites, catalysis.

The Jounals’s name, their impact factors and review times:

RSC Advances (3.7, 30), Polymer International (2.4, 1), Journal of Applied Polymer Science (1.6, 1), Nanoscale (7.4, 1), Energy & Environmental Science(20.5, 1), Materials Science and Engineering: B (2.2, 3), Macromolecular Reaction Engineering (1.5, 1), Journal of Materials Chemistry A (7.7, 1), International Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry (n/a, 2), New Journal of Chemistry (3.2, 1).

I have acted as an adjudicative reviewer for RSC Advances for five times. Total reviews: 42.

Research Experience

11/11/2010-11/10/2013 Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Columbia University.

Studied the morphologies of polybutadiene (PB)-polystyrene (PS)/PS-grafted silica nanocomposites by cryomicrotome, TEM and AFM: compatibility was improved between PB and PS by adding bare silica or PS-grafted silica nanoparticles.

Study the morphologies of PS/PS-grafted silica nanocomposites by microtome and TEM

Prepare P2VP/PS-grafted silica nanocomposites using freeze-drying method and study their morphologies by microtome, TEM and AFM.

Characterized the PS by gel permeation chromatography (GPC).

12/01/2008-09/2009 Senior Catalyst Scientist, Transmediair, Inc.

Successfully designed and constructed the reactors for the syntheses of methanol, dimethyl ether and gasoline (MTG technology) from biomass-wood pellets.

Optimized the reaction conditions to obtain the high-quality gasoline.

Characterized the biofuels using FTIR and mass spectrometry.

Characterized the surface area and pore size distribution of catalysts and chars by BET method.

05/2006-12/01/2008 Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, RPI.

Thesis title: Renewable Polymer Nanocomposites with Optimal Mechanical Properties.

Studied the influence of cooling rate, and shape and volume fraction of nanoparticles on the thermal behavior, solid-state morphologies and mechanical properties of biodegradable, renewable semicrystalline polymers-polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs).

Provided structural parameters over multiple length scale to advance multiscale modeling prediction of mechanical properties of PHAs and their nanocomposites.

Achieved optimal mechanical properties for PHBHx/SiO2 nanocomposite at 1 wt% loading.

Characterized the dispersion of nanofillers by integrating light scattering with X-rays and microscopy.

01/2004-05/2006 Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering, RPI.

Thesis title: Study of the Thermal Properties, Dynamics and Chain Conformations of Polystyrene in the Presence of Silica or Gold Nanofillers.

Synthesized and characterized thiol-capped gold nanoparticles.

Made polystyrene/silica and polystyrene/gold nanocomposites with improved dispersion.

Studied the chain conformation of polystyrene in the above-mentioned nanocomposites by Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS): we found that the polymer matrix’s radius of gyration (Rg) remains constant, which resolved the long-time debate on the effect of nanoparticles on the Rg of the polymer matrix.

07/2000-01/2004 Engineer, Department of Hydrogenation Catalysts, Research Institute of Petroleum Processing (RIPP), SINOPEC.

As a main participant in studying the mechanism of hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of dibenzothiophenes, especially of 4, 6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4, 6-DMDBT), which is a sub-task of The Mechanism of Hydrodesulfurization and Novel Catalytic Materials, a state key basic research program supported financially by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China.

Designed, synthesized, and in-depth characterized the heterogeneous catalysts applied to deep HDS.

Studied different properties of various carriers, including zeolites and amorphous silica alumina, and the catalytic activities and selectivities of the catalysts by a micro reactor and gas chromatography (GC): I found the optimal ratio of Cobalt (Co) to Molybdenum (Mo) for the catalysts. My research results were used as a guide for making industrial catalysts in many plants.

09/1998-06/2000 State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum-Beijing.

Thesis title: Preparation of a Three-dimensional Model Supported Catalyst and the Regulation and Control of Its Metal Loadings.

Prepared monodisperse silica particles through the hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethylortho-silicate (TEOS) in aqueous ethanol solution with ammonia as catalyst.

Prepared a three-dimensional model supported catalyst (using the silica particles as carriers) with controllable metal loadings.

Characterized the silica particles and the catalysts by TEM, XRD and XPS.

Studied the catalyst reaction activities of HDS and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) of Daqing diesel oil.

04/1997-06/1997 Department of Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University.

Thesis title: Synthesis of the Urea-Formaldehyde Resin Adhesive Modified by Melamine (MUF) and Its Application in Heat-preservation Cotton.

Strengthened my theoretical knowledge by organic synthesis of the MUF.

I found the optimal formula to synthesize the MUF. The product quality was greatly improved and my findings were applied in the production of MUF in Nanchang Huahong Heat-preservation Materials Factory.

Professional Skills

Hands-on working experience with equipment/techniques: WAXS, SAXS, SANS, USAXS, SALS, HFBS, POM, SEM, (cryo)microtome, TEM, Spin Casting, AFM, DSC, TGA, GPC, BET, GC, GC-MS, TPR, TPD, XPS, UV-Raman, and Rheometer.

Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Igor Pro, Origin, LabVIEW.

Working knowledge of modeling tools (Materials Studio, XenoView).

Education

01/2004-11/2008 PhD, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), GPA: 3.60

01/2004-08/2006 MS, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, GPA: 3.60

09/1997-06/2000 MS, Department of Chemical Engineering

China University of Petroleum-Beijing, GPA: 3.47

09/1993-07/1997 BS, Department of Chemical Engineering

Nanchang University, GPA: 3.45

Teaching Experience

Supervised one Master student in Dr. Kumar’s lab from 2012 to 2013.

Supervised three undergraduate students in Dr. Akpalu’s lab from 2006 to 2007.

Acted as Teaching Assistant for “THERMAL & FLUIDS ENG II”, Fall 2004.

Supervised two undergraduate students of China University of Petroleum-Beijing from 1999 to 2000.

Honors & Scholarships

Howard P. Isermann Fellowship, RPI, 06/2004-08/2004

Excellent Graduate Student of China University of Petroleum-Beijing, China, Oct.1999

Graduate Student Award issued by IET (International Engineering Technology, Inc) Educational Foundation, April 22, 2000

Third-class Prize in RIPP’s Youth Disquisition Contest, Oct. 24, 2002

Awarded The Best Design of PowerPoint in RIPP’s Youth Disquisition Contest, Oct. 24, 2002

First in RIPP’s Speech Contest, April 17, 2001

Excellent Graduation Thesis, June 1997

Special Excellent Academic Scholarship in three consecutive terms, First-class Excellent Academic Scholarship three times, Second-class Excellent Academic Scholarship once, 1993-1997

Sanhao Student Pacemaker (only award to top 2% student) of Nanchang University, 1997

Publications

Journal

1.Y. Xie, D. Maillard, S. Kumar, B. Cash, B. Benicewicz, “Improving the Compatibility between Polystyrene and Polybutadiene by Adding Silica Nanoparticles”, ACS Macro Letters, in preparation

2.Y. Xie, D. Kohls, I. Noda, D. W. Schaefer, Y. A. Akpalu, “Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) Nanocomposites with Optimal Mechanical Properties”, Polymer, 2009, 50, 4656.

3.Y. Xie, I. Noda, Y. A. Akpalu, “Influence of Cooling Rate on the Thermal Behavior and Solid-State Morphologies of Polyhydroxyalkanoates”, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2008, 109, 2259.

4.S. Sen, Y. Xie, S. K. Kumar, H. Yang, A. Bansal, D. L. Ho, L. Hall, J. B. Hooper, K. S. Schweizer, “Chain Conformations and Bound-Layer Correlations in Polymer Nanocomposites”, Physical Review Letters, 2007, 98, 128302.

5.S. Sen, Y. Xie, A. Bansal, H. Yang, K. Cho, L. S. Schadler, S. K. Kumar, “Equivalence between polymer nanocomposites and thin polymer films: Effect of processing conditions and molecular origins of observed behavior”, Eur. Phys. J. Special Topics, 2007, 141, 161.

6.D. Zuo, Y. Xie, H. Nie, Y. Shi, C. Li, “Study on Hydrodesulfurization Mechanism of

4, 6-Dimethyldibenzothiophene I. Catalytic Behavior of NiW-based Catalysts”, Cuihua Xuebao, 2002, 23, 271.

Patent

1.W. Xie, Y. Huang, Y. Xie, “Stable aqueous ferrous halide solution and its preparation”, Faming Zhuanli Shenqing Gongkai Shuomingshu. Cn, 1507416, 2004.

2.W. Xie, Y. Huang, Y. Xie, “An Antioxidative Aqueous Solution of a Ferrous Halide and its Preparing Method”, Patent WO 200-***-****, Jan. 16, 2003.

Proceedings

1.Y. Xie, Y. A. Akpalu, “Elucidating the Effect of Cooling Rate on the Morphologies of Polyhydroxyalkanoates”, PMSE Preprints, 2007, 97, 406

2.Y. Xie, S. Sen, S. K. Kumar, D. L. Ho, “Study of polymer chain conformation in the presence of nanofillers using SANS”, PMSE Preprints 2005, 93, 53.

3.Y. Xie, P. Dong, “Active component control of three-dimensional model supported catalyst”, Xinshiji De Cuihua Kexue Yu Jishu, Quanguo Cuihuaxue Jihuiyi Lunwenji, 10th, Zhangjiajie, China, Oct. 15-19, 2000: 233-234

4.P. Dong, P. Ren, Y. Zhu, X. Lu, K. Zhu, Y.Xie, C. Xu, “Preparation and characterization of three-dimensional model supported catalyst", Xinshiji De Cuihua Kexue Yu Jishu, Quanguo Cuihuaxue Jihuiyi Lunwenji, 10th, Zhangjiajie, China, Oct. 15-19, 2000: 135-136.

Presentations

1.Y. Xie, D. Maillard, S. Kumar, B. Cash, B. Benicewicz, “Improving the Compatibility between Polystyrene and Polybutadiene by Adding Silica Nanoparticles”, APS March Meeting, Baltimore, MD, United States, March 18–22, 2013

2.Y. Xie, A. Caines, J. Carroll, S. Shenogin, I. Noda, Y. A. Akpalu, “Advancing Multiscale Modeling Prediction of Mechanical Properties of Polyhydroxyalkanoates”, 2007 AIChE Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT, United States, November 4-9, 2007

3.Y. Xie, Y. A. Akpalu, “Elucidating the Effect of Cooling Rate on the Morphologies of Polyhydroxyalkanoates”, Abstracts of Papers, 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, United States, Aug. 19-23, 2007

4.Y. Xie, Y. A. Akpalu, “An investigation of the effect of processing conditions on the lamellar and

spherulitic morphology of polyhydroxyalkanoates”, APS March Meeting, Denver, CO, United States, March 5–9, 2007.

5.S. Sen, Y. Xie, S. Kumar, D. Ho, V. Garcia-Sakai, “Static and Dynamic Neutron Scattering Studies of Polystyrene-Silica Nanocomposites”, APS March Meeting, Baltimore, MD, United States, March 13–17, 2006.

6.A. George, S. Sen, Y. Xie, L. Schadler, S. Kumar, “Thermomechanical Properties of Polystyrene-MWNT Nanocomposites”, APS March Meeting, Baltimore, MD, United States, March 13–17, 2006

7.Y. Xie, S. Sen, S. K. Kumar, A. Bansal, “Glass transition behavior of polystyrene/silica nanocomposites”, APS March Meeting, Baltimore, MD, United States, March 13–17, 2006

8.S. Kumar, R. Godlaski, S. Sen, Y. Xie, “SANS studies of polymer chain conformation in the presence of nanofillers”, APS March Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, March 21–25, United States, 2005.

9.Y. Xie, S. Sen, S. K. Kumar, D. L. Ho, “Study of polymer chain conformation in the presence of nanofillers using SANS”, Abstracts of Papers, 230th ACS National Meeting, Washington, DC, United States, Aug. 28-Sept. 1, 2005.

Posters

1.Y. Xie, D. W. Schaefer, D. Kohls, I. Noda, Y. A. Akpalu, “Renewable Polymer Nanocomposites with Optimal Mechanical Properties”, Frontiers in Polymer Science International Symposium Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Polymer, Mainz, Germany, June 7- 9, 2009.

2.Y. Xie, Y. A. Akpalu, “Elucidating the Effect of Processing Conditions on the Morphologies of Polyhydroxyalkanoates”, 2007 Users Meeting, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, United States, May 7-12, 2007

3.Y. Xie, Y. A. Akpalu, “Elucidating the Effect of Processing Conditions on the Morphologies of Polyhydroxyalkanoates”, Nanotech 2007, Santa Clara, CA, United States, May 20-24, 2007

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