Chirag Patel - Resume (R&D Chemist - Coating Scientist)

SUMMEARY: A highly enthusiastic, motivated, result-oriented and innovative professional with 7 years of experience in Research, Product / Process and Business Development in the field of Polymers and Coatings.

EXPERIENCE:

Functional Materials Inc., Congers, NY, USA

Research - Quality Chemist (July’07 – April’11)

• Developed RINK™ - Radiation Curable Inks and Coatings (Pigmented and Non-Pigmented) based on Acrylated Monomers, Epoxy Acrylates, Urethane Acrylates, Polyester Acrylates, Acrylic Acrylates, Speciality Oligomers and their Modifications for the variety of substrates like PVC, Polystyrene, Polyesters, Polycarbonates and Polylactide (PLA).

• Processed Water / Solvent / UV based Pigment Dispersions (Pastes) for inks and coatings of the respective types.

• Developed Eco SLINK™ (Solvent based inks) using UCAR resins and VOC exempt (Green) Solvents, a facility to the Green Society.

• Formulated Personalizable RINK™ NO LAM (Self-leveling) topcoats to eliminate the time and energy consuming lamination cycle.

• Introduced specialty polymers to the coatings formulations in order to accept personalization on hard glossy top coats (PRESSLAMTM ) by the Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer (D2T2) Printers.

• Involved in Research and Development of UV Curable Adhesives, Wink™ - Water based Inks, Slink™ - Solvent based inks, Coatings and Laminates.

• Successfully developed Specialty Coatings such as Scratch Pad, Sig Panel (Clear / White), Matte (Clear and White) Finishes, Soft-feel Coatings to meet the costumer’s requirements.

• Trained Lab Technicians and Trainees on Lab Instruments, Testing/QC Procedures and Safety/ Emergency Programs.

• Developed new Application/Testing Methods for the new products and improved the existing formulations to reduce the application/processing time and energy (25%).

• Optimized the production process to improve production output (by 30%) and product quality which also helped to maintain safe and clean working area / plant.

• Managed and Supervised production schedule on regular basis and trained production line staff through Smart Material Handling, Work Safety and Warehouse Safety Programs.

• Maintained the documentations like R&D report, SOP for new Application/Testing methods identical to the customer’s application and testing methods.

Coatings Research Institute, Ypsilanti, MI, USA

Research Assistant (September’05 – June’07)

• Measured DC Electrochemical Impedance of paints and ingredients on Magnesium (Mg) Substrate.

• Studied the effect of type and level of crosslinking in latex films on fundamental mechanical properties by Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA).

• Visualized film formation process by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) as a function of crosslinking.

• Developed Polyurethane Dispersions (PUD) with hydrophobic-hydrophilic nature having swelling properties along with the good mechanical properties

• Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Radiation Curable Urethane-Acrylate Coatings based on Rice Bran Oil

Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, USA

Teaching (Lab) Assistant (September’05 – June’07)

• Co-instructor - Advanced Polymers and Coatings Technology Laboratory (PC503) for Undergraduate / Graduate students

• Set and maintained the Advanced Polymers and Coatings Technology Laboratory

• Developed new experiments such as Gel time measurement, Color matching, CPVC Determination, Extraction of water soluble components from solvent-borne paints

• Trained students on Lab Instrument Operations, Material Handling and Safety Programs.

Pacific Paints Industries, Anand, Gujarat, India

Quality Control Chemist (May’04–July’05)

• Practiced QC and Worked independently as well as a part of team in new product development of solvent and waterborne paints

• Worked with the technical and manufacturing departments in testing and troubleshooting involving coating defects and performance optimization

• Worked with the marketing department for product promotions and sales.

Synpol Products Pvt. Ltd., Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Summer Intern (May-June’03)

• Assisted R&D chemists with the development of new waterborne Epoxy-Ester Systems

• Synthesized and analyzed Alkyd, Acrylic, Polyurethane and Epoxy resins

• Involved in the development of Epoxy – Amine / Amide based 2K adhesives

EDUCATION:

Masters, Polymers and Coatings (GPA: 3.8 / 4.0) (September’05 - Dec’07)

Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, Michigan, USA

Masters, Paints & Varnishes (June’02-April’04)

ISTAR, Sardar Patel University, Gujarat, India

B.Sc, Chemistry (June’98-April’02)

V.P. & R.P.T.P. Science College, Sardar Patel University, Gujarat, India

Academic Achievement:

Awarded with “Certificate of Academic Excellence”, as an outstanding academic achievement during M.S. in Polymers and Coatings at Eastern Michigan University (2006)

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS:

• Joshi, R. G., Lefevre, E., Patel, Chirag, Provder, T., Crombez, R., Shen, W. and Jones, F.N., “Thermoanalytical and morphological Studies of Crosslinked Latex films by advanced techniques", Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, Vol. 93, 1, 19-26 (2008)

• Sarjak Amin, F. Louis Floyd, Sundaresan Avudaiappan, Chirag Vinubhai Patel, Askarali Thathajohnpasha, Sumeet Tatti and Ted Provder, Eastern Michigan University, ” A Comparison of Fe, Al, and Mg Alloys via DC Electrochemical Techniques”, (in progress)

SKILLS:

• Knowledge of Management / Statistical Tools like Design of Experiments (DOE), Sigma Xi, Lean Manufacturing

• Formulation, Research and Development, Project Management, Techno-Commercial aspects in Paints and Coatings Industry.

• Knowledge of different kinds of characterization and instrumental analytical methods like Thermogravimetric Analyis (TGA), Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA), Dynamic Contact Angle (DCA), Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy Dispersive Using X-Ray (SEM\EDX) Analysis, Optical Microscopy, Atomic force microscopy (AFM), Attenuated total reflectance - Infrared (ATR-IR), DC Electrochemical Impedance Instrument, Instrumental Analysis

• Acquired hands on practice with different viscometer, Minimum Film Forming Temperature (MFFT) Tester, Spray-booth operations, UV Curing Equipment, Powder Coating and Mechanical Testing Instruments

• Good at Microsoft Office program, Adobe Photoshop, X-Rite Color Master Software

REFERENCES:

Available upon request.

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