Materials scientist

Prashant Jha

*** ******* *** • Port Jefferson, NY 11777 • Phone: 631-***-**** • ****************@*****.***

Summary:

6+ yrs Experience in Root cause analysis, Design, Characterization, and Data interpretation of advanced materials.

5+ yrs Experience in Design of experiments (DOE), Statistical process control (SPC), and Technical seminar.

Solution oriented with analytical and multidisciplinary approach towards problem-solving.

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills to interface across all levels of the organization.

Highly motivated, results-oriented, team player with excellent interpersonal skills.

Detail oriented with ability to work well independently and under strict deadlines.

Well organized, reliable, committed to professionalism, and able to multitask effectively.

Education:

Ph.D. in Material Science and Engineering (Expected Dec 2011)

State University of New York at Stony Brook , Stony Brook, NY

Thesis: Uranium organic interaction: Complexation and Catalysis

Advisor: Gary P. Halada

Bachelor of Engineering in Metallurgical Engineering (Aug 2000)

National Institute of Technology, Raipur, India

Patents:

1) P. K. Jha, G. P. Halada, “Electrochemical Synthesis of Chloro-Chitosan”, provisional patent application number R-8375, June 2011.

2) P. K. Jha, G. P. Halada, “Electrochemical Synthesis of Nitro-Chitosan”, provisional patent application number R-8376, June 2011.

Work Experience:

Dec 2005- present, Graduate research assistant: Explored fate of metals in groundwater, developed polymer based remediation materials and processes, developed green technology for nanoparticle synthesis.

Spectroscopic study of Uranium Sequestration in Ground Water:

• Developed a novel process for polymerization through oxidative polycondensation of phenols in Uranium environment.

• Designed and fabricated novel electrochemical cells for in-situ Raman and FTIR spectroscopic studies.

• Extensively investigated the interaction of uranium with polyphenols at different pHs and metal-ligand ratio using spectroscopic techniques including Raman, FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy.

Modified polysaccharide for environmental remediation:

• Developed a bio-compatible, biodegradable polymeric antibacterial film on stainless steel.

• Synthesised nanomaterial for remediation of heavy metals including Uranium, Chromium and Mercury.

• Characterized the film and powder using spectroscopic, XRD, optical and electron microscopy.

Electrochemical Formation of Catalytic Silver Nanoparticles in a Chitosan Matrix:

• Developed a green method for hybrid organic-inorganic materials synthesis.

• Tested the catalytic activity of silver nanoparticles for oxygen reduction reaction.

• Optimized the size of nanoparticles in polymeric film by controlling process parameters.

• Nanoparticles was characterized using SEM, XRD and XPS.

Highly-Efficient Low-Loss Supercapacitors For High-Density Energy Storage

• Improvemnet of CNT based supercapacitor via electrochemical and chemical analysis of the supercapacitor.

• Designed and developed cell for testing Capacitors.

• Investigated ageing effects on electrolyte.

Feb. 2004 to Sep. 2005: Research Assistant in Advanced Material Characterization Lab.

Development of biocomposites for sensor application.

• Synthesized novel oragic-inorganic biocomposite for selective gas sensors using sol-gel technology.

• Designed gas sensing substrate for electronic nose.

• Performed Gas sensing tests, TEM, SEM, and XRD analysis of the biocomposite.

Aug. 2004 to Dec 2006: Teaching Assistant for Department of material science and engineering.

• Gave Lectures and Graded graduates and undergraduates in courses including: Engineering Design, Electron Microscopy, Material Science-I and Thin-Films.

Apr.2001 to Aug 2003: Software Engineer, Sure InfoTech (p) ltd., Hyderabad, India

• Interacted with clients to access their needs and demands.

• Developed customized software for local businesses using Visual Basic6.0.

• Designed databases for the projects.

• Planned work, assigned duties and monitored progress of a team of 7 programmers.

Technical skills Summary

Material Fabrication and Sample preparation: Electro Deposition, Sol-gel, Spot welding, Spin coating, Ion Milling, Metallographic mounting and polishing, Ultrasonic and high shear dispersion.

Characterization Techniques: Raman Spectroscopy, FTIR Spectroscopy, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Visible and Ultraviolet Spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy(XPS), X-ray diffraction(XRD), optical microscopy, Scanning Electron microscopy(SEM),Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), TGA, Impedance spectroscopy, Cyclic Voltammetry.

Software and Computer skills : C, Visual Basic, Microsoft office, Athena, Datasqueeze.

PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS:

(3 PUBLISHED & 2 SUBMITTED FOR PEER REVIEWED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS & 6 CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS)

1. P.K.Jha, G.P. Halada “The Catalytic Role of Uranyl in Formation of Polycatechol Complexes in Water”, Chemistry Central Journal 2011, 5:12

2. James D Kubicki, Gary P Halada, Prashant Jha and Brian L Phillips “Quantum mechanical calculation of aqueuous uranium complexes: carbonate, phosphate, organic and biomolecular species”, Chemistry Central Journal 2009, 3:10

3. P.K.Jha, G.P. Halada “Synthesis and remediation properties of nitrochitosan” (in preparation).

4. P. Gouma, S. Simon, P. Jha, and K.M. Sawicka, “Bio-composite Oxides for Resistive Detection of Pathogens”, Chemical Sensors, 20, suppl. B, pp. 72-73, 2004.

5. P. K. Jha , A. Ceballos,G. P. Halada, B. Phillips, J. Kubicki “Complexation and polymerization: interactions of uranium with organic molecules” 233rd National Meeting in Chicago, March 2007.

Honors and awards:

• Research Assistantship with Prof. G.P. Halada (Dec. 2005 to present)

• Teaching Assistantship at Materials Science Department SBU (Aug 2004 to Dec. 2006).

• Awarded Graduate Aptitude Test Scholarship (2000 to 2002) by the Human resource ministry of India.

Extracurricular activities

• Vice President of India Focus Group (IFG). A student organization at stony brook university involved in raising money by organizing classical concerts and donating the money to charitable educational projects in India.

• General Secretary of JESID(Joint Effort for Social and Individual Development). A student organization at NIT Raipur involved in organizing cultural events.

• Represented NIT Raipur in inter-college tennis competitions

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