Ceramics and Advanced Materials Process and Market Consultant

Expertise

• Materials, processes and device development for electronics and optoelectronics (e.g., thick films, thin films, sputtering targets and sputtering processes, atomic layer deposition, roll-to-roll processes, thin-film sensors, and paper-thin displays).
• Materials and devices for the healthcare sector (bioceramics, portable and wearable medical electronics).
• Advanced materials and device development for energy applications (smart materials, supercapacitors, thin-film batteries).
• Materials and devices for pollution control and environmental remediation (materials and devices for green technologies, photocatalysts).
• Functional organic, inorganic, and composite materials (aerogels, rare earths, ceramic matrix composites, organic and inorganic absorbents and adsorbents).
• Development and production of advanced materials from market research and patent analysis to research and development production scale-up and process control.
• Nanomaterials and nanotechnologies
• Emerging and rapidly expanding technologies.

Experience

Independent Consultant- Research Analyst, 2002 - Present

Projects

• Technical writing and editing services related to process development, materials formulation and characterization, technological benchmarking, and feasibility studies.
• Author scientific essays and technical publications focusing on advanced materials and devices utilized in electronics, energy, healthcare and other high-tech sectors.
• Perform unbiased qualitative and quantitative technical research and market analysis using various techniques, including statistical analysis, with proven expertise in detecting significant trends and providing accurate forecasts.
• Provide worldwide market analyses and patent analyses related to new or emerging technologies.
• Evaluate and assess emerging technologies and identify rapidly growing markets.
• Assist U.S. and international firms operating within the following sectors: advanced materials, biomedical engineering, healthcare, electronics and optoelectronics, energy, environment, mechanical/chemical, sensors and instrumentation, and nanotechnology.
• Market analyses for over forty customers operating within the above mentioned sectors.
• Apply expertise in all steps of development and production of advanced materials from market research and patent analysis to research and development, production scale-up and process control.
• Utilize extensive knowledge of various process technologies, such as ceramic processing, powder forming, injection molding, and thin and thick film deposition.
• Materials evaluated are ceramics, glass, polymers, metals, and composites.
• Materials, processes and devices for electronics and optoelectronics (e.g., thick films, thin films, sputtering targets and sputtering processes, atomic layer deposition, roll-to-roll processes, thin-film sensors, and paper-thin displays).
• Materials and devices for the healthcare sector (bioceramics, portable and wearable medical electronics).
• Advanced materials and devices for energy applications (smart materials, supercapacitors, thin-film batteries).
• Materials and devices for pollution control and environmental remediation (materials and devices for green technologies, photocatalysts).
• Functional organic, inorganic, and composite materials (aerogels, rare earths, ceramic matrix composites, organic and inorganic absorbents and adsorbents).

Bettini, Lecco, Italy, Research and Development Director, 2000 - 2001

• Headed a team of engineers and technicians involved in research and development, production, process engineering, and quality control, for a manufacturer of technical ceramics used in textile and mechanical applications.
• Directed various projects related to process improvement and the research and development of different types of oxide and non-oxide ceramic materials, including alumina, zirconia, alumina/zirconia composites, titania, silicon carbide, silicon nitride and boron carbide.
• Developed the binder system for processing a new alumina/zirconia nanocomposite.
• Involved in resolving quality problems. In particular, modified the debinding cycle for a product line improving yields from 20% to 95%.
• Introduced Statistical Process Control and revised process procedures to comply with the requirements of the ISO9000 standard.

American Technical Ceramics, Huntington Station, NY, Processing Engineer Manager, 1987 - 2000

• Manage a leading manufacturer of high-reliability electronic components (multilayer ceramic capacitors).
• Coordinating, planning, and bringing to completion projects related to process development, process control, and process improvement.
• Process areas included: qualification and preparation of raw materials, binder preparation, casting of ceramic tape, lamination, binder burn-out, dicing, sintering, termination, electrolytic plating, finishing and assembly.
• Process activities consisted of: evaluating and qualifying raw materials (ceramic and metal powders, precious metal pastes, various chemicals); developing formulations of binders, ceramic slurries, and metal pastes.
• Develop new and modifying existing manufacturing methods, process instructions, and procedures in order to maximize product quality and productivity.
• Evaluating and implementing the use of new production equipment and assisting in modifying and improving existing equipment; conducting production feasibility studies, identifying constraints, and recommending solutions.
• Implementing and maintaining a company wide Statistical Process Control (SPC) program; performing root cause analysis and failure analysis for quality improvement programs; and coordinating with environmental engineering on treatment and disposal of solid and liquid wastes.
• Organized and managed research and development projects in cooperation with several U.S. universities and colleges, including Penn State, Alfred University, and Stony Brook University.

Ceramic Center, Bologna, Italy, Ceramic Engineer, 1984 - 1985

• Involved in the research and qualification of new processes used in ceramic tile manufacturing, such as granulation, microwave drying, wet continuous milling, and fast firing.
• Conducted feasibility studies aimed at developing and improving process control and energy savings techniques in the Italian ceramic industry.
• Designed and developed a computer program simulating the process of firing ceramic tiles in a roller kiln. The simulator significantly improved the understanding of furnace and ceramic materials dynamics.
• Performed physical/chemical tests on ceramic components in order to define their mechanical and functional properties.
• Co-authored two publications related to process control and energy consumption in the Italian ceramic industry.

University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy, Research and Development Engineer, 1983 - 1984

• Analyzed and evaluated the chemical and microstructural characteristics of a new co-polymer based on butadiene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) under development in the Chemical Engineering department of the University of Bologna.
• Performed chemical and mechanical tests on plastic and ceramic materials.

Honors & Publications

Credentials

Qualifications

• Statistical Process Control
• Organic Additives in Ceramic Processing
• Sintering of Ceramics
• Ceramics Marketing Research
• Six Sigma Methodology
• Root Cause Analysis
• ISO9000 Certification,
• Design of Experiments (Factorial design, Taguchi methods)

Languages

• Italian

Academic and Professional Affiliations

• Chief Research Analyst in Advanced Materials for BCC Research (Wellesley, MA).
• Collaborate as Contributing Editor with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST - Gaithersburg, MD).

Education

• M.S. Ceramic Engineering, (Summa Cum Laude) University of Bologna, Italy
• M.S. Chemical Engineering, University of Bologna, Italy