Chemical Engineering Engineer
Resume:
Preejith V. Ambuken
United States
*********@*****.***
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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