Preejith V. Ambuken

United States

acvhqi@r.postjobfree.com

+1-409-***-****

Summary

PhD in Chemical Engineering with experience in production and industrial research and development

Strong knowledge of polymers, polymer processing and characterization

Experience in developing standard operating procedures, design of experiments and troubleshooting instruments

Sound knowledge in understanding performance of polymer system through structure-property relationships

Proficient in using twin screw extruder, SEM, TEM, XRD, DSC, TGA, rheometer, DMA and spin coater

External partnership development with laboratories

Working knowledge in process simulation tools (ASPEN Plus, Hysys) and statistical tools (Minitab)

Able to perform material and energy balances, utility balance, hydraulic and pipe size calculations

Familiar with processing of polymers such as thermoplastic polyurethane, polypropylene and Nylon 6

Excellent communication, presentation and influencing Skills

Knowledge of GLP & GMP for medical devices

Work Experience

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care- Vistakon March 2014- Present Product Development Engineer

Managing multiple research projects from conception to development

Characterizing polymer hydrogel based contact lens that help relate formulation chemistry to process or end product requirements

Provided process engineering support for improving the hydration tower process efficiency

Designing and supervising experiments for making polymer hydrogel based soft contact lenses on pilot line

Bulk and surface material characterization of polymer based contact lenses

Root cause analysis and troubleshooting for process/equipment’s

Cross function collaboration with internal and external partners

Performing scale up from bench top to pilot scale process development activities

Applying scientific, data driven approach using engineering judgment and project management skills

Maintaining laboratory in compliance with environmental, health and safety policies; including GLP and GMP Oak Ridge National Laboratory August 2011- December 2013 Visiting Researcher

Co-wrote proposals and received access to three user facilities (HTML, CNMS and SNS) at ORNL

Investigated the real time mechanical properties of bulk polymer nanocomposite at high temperatures

Measured the dispersion of nanoparticles (PCBM) throughout the depth of the polymer film using neutron reflectometer at Spallation Neutron Source, ORNL

Polymer Laboratory, Tennessee Technological University November 2009 – September 2013 Research Assistant

Designed experiments and documented all the learned information and improvements

Maintained and responsible for troubleshooting of rheometer, DSM Mini compounder (extruder), syringe pump and FTIR

Initiated multiple projects and followed through its completion

Worked with cross functional teams to solve technical problems

Expertise in synthesizing polymer nanocomposites via Injection molding and Compression molding Krishna Industries Ltd., India August 2006 – July 2007 Chemical Engineer

Assisted Sr. Engineer in Process Calculations and Troubleshooting of critical equipment’s

Process-engineering support to operations, product quality and maintenance organizations

Prepared operating, test and maintenance procedures and other documentations as required

Procurement and vendor coordination

Assisted in preparation of initial P&ID's for simple systems and utility systems Preejith V. Ambuken Page 2

ISPAT Industries Ltd., India May 2005 – August 2005 Internship

Prepared Equipment specification sheet, equipment layout, PFD's and Equipment list for utility block

Assisted in making equipment and piping layouts

Assisted project manager in preparing technical bid specifications for various equipment procurements Education

Tennessee Technological University December 2013

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering

Lamar University December 2008

Masters of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

North Maharashtra University June 2006

Bachelor of Engineering in Chemical Engineering

PhD Thesis

“The Influence of Polymer Charring and Crystallization on Nanoparticle Dispersion for Rubbery Polymer Nanocomposites” Thesis Advisor: Dr. Holly Stretz

Investigated high temperature mechanical and flammability properties of thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites

Studied effect of compatibilization of hard and soft domains in polyurethane nanocomposites on thermo mechanical properties

Developed a novel and alternative post processing strategy for polymer nanocomposite thin film used in organic photovoltaic devices

Published research papers in peer reviewed journals and presented results at various conferences Additional Projects

Graduate Project

Process optimization of phenol from propylene & benzene using ASPEN PLUS

Prepared PFD and optimized the base case to increase the profit

Used most of the Aspen Plus tools such as design spec sensitivity, calculator and optimizer Simulation of Distillate hydrotreater unit using HYSYS

Used sample Industrial Data from Kaes Enterprises Inc.

Used most of the Hysys tools such as set, adjust & balance operations

Created black box reactor, spreadsheet and sub flowsheet Steady State Simulation of atmospheric crude tower using HYSYS and PROII

Prepared PFD and compared the results between both simulation tools Undergraduate Project

Removal of basic dyes from textile effluents at Raymond Industries Ltd. Peer Reviewed Publications

P. Ambuken, H.A. Stretz, M. Dadmun, S. M. Kilbey II, Gas Expanded Polymer Process to Anneal Nanoparticle Dispersion in Thin Films, Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 140 (2015),101-107.

P. Ambuken, H. A. Stretz, J. Koo, J. Messman, D. Wong, Effect of Compatibilization of Hard and Soft Domains in Polyurethane Nanocomposites on Thermomechanical Properties, Polymer Degradation and Stability, 102 (201*-****-***.

H. A. Stretz, P. Ambuken, M. Rabbani, G. Kumar, V. Pallem, Regulatory and Environmental Issues of Nanotechnology Safety, Elsevier 2013.

P. Ambuken, H. A. Stretz, J. H. Koo, J. C. Lee, R. Trejo, High-Temperature Flammability and Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane Nanocomposites, in: A. Morgan, C. Wilkie, G. Nelson (Eds.) Fire and Polymers VI: New Advances in Flame Retardant Chemistry and Science, Oxford University Press, 2012.

M. R. Tant, H. A. Stretz, P. Ambuken, Polymeric Composites: Heat Transfer, Wiley, New York, 2012.

B. Fox, P. Ambuken, H. A. Stretz, A. Payzant, R. Meisner, Organo-montmorillonite barrier layers formed by combustion: Nanostructure and permeability, Applied Clay Science, 49 (2010) 213-223. Preejith V. Ambuken Page 3

Selected Proceedings and Conference Presentations

P. Ambuken, H. Stretz, Concentration profile of oscillation annealed PCBM in P3HT films in: AICHE 2013 Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA, November 3-8, 2013.

D. N. Wong, D. Pinero, J. H. Koo, H. A. Stretz, P. Ambuken, Thermoplastic Polyurethane Nanocomposites: Ablation and Charring Characteristics in: SAMPE 2013, Long Beach, CA, 2013.

D. N. Wong, M. Jaramillo, J. H. Koo, H. A. Stretz, P. Ambuken, Analyzing ablative and combustion characteristics of thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites in: 49th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference & Exhibit and 11th International Energy Conversion Engineering Conference San Jose, CA, 2013.

P. Ambuken, H. A. Stretz, Thin Film Conductivity Measurement of PEDOT:PSS Nanocomposite Films in: AICHE 2012 Annual Meeting, Pittsburg, PA, October 28-Novemeber 2 2012

P. Ambuken, H. A. Stretz, J. Koo, J. Lee, R. Trejo, High Temperature mechanical properties of thermoplastic polyurethane nanocomposites, in: AICHE 2012 Annual Meeting, Pittsburg, PA, October 28-November 2 2012

P. Ambuken, H. A. Stretz, J. Koo, J. Lee, J. Messman, High temperature mechanical properties of TPU/PA11 nanocomposite blends, in: SAMPE Tech 2012, Charleston, SC, October 22-25 2012

P. Ambuken, H. A. Stretz, Towards understanding of conductivity mechanism in PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite films, in: TN-SCORE Annual Conference, Nashville, TN, June 15 2012

P. Ambuken, H. A. Stretz, Towards understanding of conductivity mechanism in PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite films, in: TN-SCORE Thrust 1 Annual Retreat Meeting, Nashville, TN, April 27-28, 2012

P. Ambuken, H. A. Stretz, J. Koo, J. Lee, R. Trejo, High Temperature Mechanical Properties of Thermoplastic Polyurethane nanocomposites, in: 243rd ACS National Meeting & Exposition, San Diego, CA, March 25- 29 2012

P. Ambuken, H. A. Stretz, J. Koo, J. Lee, R. Trejo, Char Layer Mechanical Properties for Thermoplastic Polyurethane Elastomer Nanocomposites, in: AICHE 2011 Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, October 16-21 2011

P. Ambuken, H. A. Stretz, H. Patel, H. Cannon, Simple Mechanical Evaluation of Polymer Encapsulant Toughness, in: AICHE 2011 Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, October 16-21 2011

J. J. Biernacki, J. Murillo, P. Ambuken, B.C. Pat, Comparative Pyrolysis Kinetics for One Legume and Two Grass Hays, in: AICHE, Salt Lake City, UT, November 7-12, 2010. Awards and Activities

Recipient of Dean’s Academic Graduate Scholarship, Lamar University, Beaumont,TX

Recipient of Best Poster Award on Research Day 2012 and Research Day 2013 at Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, TN.

User access was approved for access to the Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS), High Temperature Materials Laboratory (HTML), and Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) facility for conducting novel research at ORNL

Elected as Co-chair for Composites for Energy Applications session at AICHE 2013

Reviewed journal manuscripts for

Macromolecules

Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research

Polymer

SAMPE

Member of

Society for the Advancement of Materials and Process Engineering (SAMPE)

American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AICHE)

American Chemical Society (ACS)

Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE)

National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)

Sigma Xi

Secretary (2011-2012) and Website Designer (2009-2010) for Chemical Engineering Graduate Research Association (CEGRA) at Tennessee Technological University

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