Justin E. Hughes

**** ******** ***, ******, **, *0402

Cell: 484-***-**** • Email: acur8d@r.postjobfree.com

Education

University of Denver Denver, CO

M.S. Material Science and Engineering June 2016 (expected) Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering The Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA B.S. Material Science and Engineering August 2008 – May 2013 Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Minor: Polymer Science

Thesis: Molecular Simulations of Octene/Styrene Divinylbenzene Copolymers

Dean’s List (2010)

Penn State Undergraduate Research and Creative Accomplishments Award (2009) Skills

Modeling: LAMMPS, MCCCS Towhee, Accelrys Materials Studio, Abaqus CAE, SOLIDWORKS Programming: MATLAB, Python, C++, Swift

Characterization: Optical Microscopy, Tensile, SEM, Metallography Software: Microsoft Office

Experience

Projects

Synergistic Aging of Affordable Polymer Matrix Composites June 2015 – February 2016

Studied the effects on E-Glass and Basalt fibers in strong acidic environments

Used SEM, Optical Microscopy, and EDS to determine loss of material properties due to corrosion

Determined Basalt fibers corrode via ion exchange, but a much slower rate than E-Glass Synergistic Aging of Affordable Polymer Matrix Composites September 2014 – June 2015

Worked with John Crane and MacLean Power Systems so solve corrosion problems polymer composite insulators

Tested feasibility of several proprietary coatings in acidic and seawater environments for use in both electrical insulators and deep sea drilling applications

Used characterization methods such as IR, SEM, and EDS to study corrosion effects Molecular Simulations of O/S Divinylbenzene Co-Polymers August 2012 – November 2013

Used LAMMPS, Material Studio, and MCCCS Towhee computational tools to research structural, thermal, and gas adsorption properties of polystyrene, polypropylene polymers and octene/styrene divinylbenzene copolymers for gas storage in applications such as gas powered vehicles and CO2 capture

Found several factors such as cross-linking density, free volume, and pore size distribution affect adsorption

Published findings in peer reviewed journal

Research

University of Denver Denver, CO

Graduate Research Assistant Aug 2014 – Present

NSF Center for Novel High Voltage/Temperature Materials & Structures Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering Advisor: Maciej Kumosa\Dr. Euripides Solis-Ramos

Worked with industry sponsors such as Lockheed Martin, John Crane, and MacLean Power Systems

Studied the effects of nitric acid on the mechanical and chemical properties of basalt and E-glass fibers

Examined several proprietary coatings used on polymer matrix composites

Created quarterly and semi-annual reports for companies sponsoring research

Presented findings to board members and other research collaborators The Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Undergraduate Research Assistant Aug 2012 – Nov 2013 Advisor: Dr. Coray M. Colina

Used molecular dynamics tools to study structural, thermal, and gas sorption properties of O/S DVB Copolymers

Collaborated with a PhD student and advisor to conduct research

Published findings in peer reviewed journal

Teaching

University of Denver Denver, CO

Graduate Teaching Assistant Sept 2014 - Present

Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

Facilitated office hours for students who needed help with coursework

Worked directly under professors to grade assignments and convey coursework material

Courses: Material Science I, Material Science II Lab, Engineering Thermodynamics I, Intro to Mechanical Systems with CAD, Introduction to Mechatronic Systems I Publications

Abbott, L. J.; Hughes, J. E.; Colina, C. M. "Virtual Synthesis of Thermally Cross-Linked Copolymers from a Novel Implementation of Polymatic." Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2014, 118, 1916-1924. DOI: 10.1021/jp409664d

Presentations

[1] Solis-Ramos, E; Lu, T; Hughes J. E.; “Synergistic Aging of Affordable Polymer Matrix Composites.” NSF Center for Novel High Voltage/Temperature Materials & Structures Semi-Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, Oct, 2015.

[2] Solis-Ramos, E; Lu, T; Hughes J. E.; “Synergistic Aging of Affordable Polymer Matrix Composites.” NSF Center for Novel High Voltage/Temperature Materials & Structures Semi-Annual Meeting, Houghton, MI, May, 2015.

[3] Solis-Ramos, E; Lu, T; Hughes J. E.; “Synergistic Aging of Affordable Polymer Matrix Composites.” NSF Center for Novel High Voltage/Temperature Materials & Structures Semi-Annual Meeting, Champaign, IL, Nov, 2014.

[4] Hughes, J. E.; Abbott, L. J.; Colina, C. M. “Molecular Simulations of Octene/Styrene”, Graduate and Undergraduate MatSE Poster Competition, University Park, PA, April, 2013