ADVANO Company (Jan 2019-May 2019)

Materials Scientist

• Research and develop innovative silicon-based anode materials for lithium-ion battery with high capacity retention.

• Investigation of different BUCHI spray dryer parameters, such as gas flow, inlet temperature, feed rate, effects on the textural properties and packed density of secondary clusters and optimization of these parameters to have clusters with a higher tapped density (> 0.8 g/mL) and a lower surface area (<10 m2/g).

• Selection of different type of polymer additives which imparts a high mechanical strength (up to 400 MPa) and a good Li-ion conductivity to the secondary clusters.

• Work closely with the R&D group to define a robust formulation for the sprint production to deliver the materials to customers.

• Characterization and materials metrics for quality control: Phase purity (XRD, EDX), average particles size (DLS, LD, SEM), tapped density, surface area (BET), degree of graphitization (Raman spectroscopy), and carbon contents (TGA/DSC).

• Outline experiments and analyses for nano-silicon functionalization via milling under inert and controllable conditions.

• Train and mentor interns and engineers on various projects such as nano-silicon functionalization via SPEX and ball milling, and analytical instruments to increase the quality and efficiency of analysis.

 

Research Assistant, Tulane University, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering Department (August 2014-May 2019)                          

Advisor: Daniel F. Shantz, Ph.D.

Materials synthesis and characterization, Process engineering, Reactor design, and Catalytic reactions.

 

 

 

Responsible for the Maintenance of Certain Laboratory Instruments Including Gas Chromatography (GC) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and Batch Reactors:

       Example of Troubleshooting: Gas Chromatogram Split Peaks Issue:

• Identified possible causes of split peaks and investigated each. Eventually, determined that the root cause of problem was due to accumulated debris on the surface of the gold seal inside the reducing nut in the inlet injector.

• Reported issue to GC manufacturer and created a YouTube video how to change the gold seal to aid other people facing similar problem. YouTube Channel: Meysam Shahami

 

Four Years’ Experience in Training Other Researchers for Several Laboratory Instruments (Microscopies, Spectroscopies, Chromatography, Porosimetry, etc.).

Engineering Internship (May 2013-July 2013)                                                                                                                          
Parvardeh Tabas Coal Processing Company, Tabas, Iran
Goal: Understand relationship between Sulfur/moisture contents and energy efficiency in two types of coal
Outcome:

• Coals with higher Sulfur and moisture content indicated a lower high heating value of fuels.

• Reported analyzed data obtained from analytical equipment using MATLAB, SigmaPlot, and M.S. office.

• Worked in a team and collaborative environment.