Education Summary
(reverse chronological)
M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester.
"Plan A" - M.S. Dissertation - Awarded Oct. 2012.
"Studies of silver spheroidal particles for the improvement of OLED light extraction"
Thesis defended orally: 7/13/2012.
The general theme of this work was to investigate the factors contributing to organic light-emitting diode (OLED) visible light out-coupling efficiency limitations. Then to determine modifications to OLED devices to propose for improvement of their overall out-coupling efficiencies for display and lighting applications.
Faculty Committee Members
Prof. of Chemical Engineering Ching W. Tang
Prof. of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Lewis J. Rothberg
Prof. of Optics Miguel A. Alonso
Prof. of Chemical Engineering Hitomi Mukaibo
Dissertation Executive Summary
Prof. Ching W. Tang and Prof. Lewis J. Rothberg co-advised me in carrying out out independent research on the extraction of light from the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) using analytic, theoretical, and numerical simulation approaches.
While I did fabricate OLED devices via chemical vapor deposition and measured solar cell efficiencies via fill factor methods, the primary focus of this work was to determine if and under what conditions then-newly manufacturable silver nanoparticles might be advantageous for incorporation into external scattering layers to improve out-coupling throughout the visible.
The theoretical approaches in this work employed simultaneously complex engineering calculations and the use of high-performance computing systems of large scales.
-This independent study included nanoparticle scattering mechanisms and their mathematical approximations ("Mie Theory" after Gustav Mie - circa 1908) as solutions to the key Partial Differential Equations ("PDEs") known as Maxwell's Equations (James Clerk Maxwell - 4 Equations published separately).
-Rigorous conceptualization and understanding of the solutions to these equations led our group to seek out scattering media with optimum properties (high albedo), even if the correlation of the real and imaginary dielectric constants (inputs to the solutions of Maxwell's equations) is highly non-intuitive and / or counterintuitive.
-The albedo was shown to be high (>.8 out of 1 - a.k.a. >80& of visible light is retained after interaction with the particles) throughout the visible for a broad range of particles (from 20 nm diameter to a few hundred nm diameter) for silver nanoparticles.
-Identical sizes of silver and gold particles, also of the same size as stated in the numerical PDE calculations, were simulated with Lumerical FDTD.
-Extensive experience in the consideration of result-effective variables for the optimization of commercial opto-electronic and solar cell / panel manufactured products.
-Designed and executed studies varying particle size, shape, and concentration within a specific OLED sub-layer (indium tin oxide / ITO) to determine estimates of out-coupling efficiency changes for a planar OLED with and without incorporation of scattering nanoparticles.
-Proven track record of developing data-driven models, automating workflows, and optimizing technology performance (OLED devices, molecular simulations, patent analytics).
-Strong communicator and collaborative leader skilled at bridging domain expertise and data science to accelerate innovation.
Technical Summary
-Engineering skills developed and articulated: advanced chemistry, physics, analytical and numerical techniques.
-Specialized scientific simulation and engineering computational tools learned, utiliized & applied: GROMACS & meep.
-General computer programming skills acquired: Linux / Fedora / Ubuntu, bash, python, Perl, FORTRAN, .
-Specialized expertise mathematical partial differential equation solver software with Wolfram Mathematica.
Teaching Experience
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER ROCHESTER, NY
ChE 244: Heat and Mass Transfer Instructor of Record: Professor Mitchell Anthamatten.
This course is an overview of conduction, convection, and radiative heat processes, as well as diffusive and convective mass transfer processes. Other topics include the fin equation, Fick’s laws, distributed parameter solution techniques, and unsteady-state combined heat and mass transfer. It is a core requirement for Chemical Engineering juniors and Biomedical Engineering students. Responsibilities included grading weekly homework assignments, holding office hours and assisting with exam proctoring and grading.
ChE 413: Engineering of Soft Matter Instructor of Record: Professor Mitchell Anthamatten.
This course discusses materials which undergo a liquid crystal phase transition, the driving forces and equilibrium compositions for phase separations in polymers (Flory-Huggins and associated theories) and properties of these compounds (storage & loss modulus, interaction parameter, order parameter, nematic & isotropic ordering, micellization and polymerization reactions at liquid-liquid interfaces).
B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Rochester.
Awarded May 2010.
Total Credits Earned: 134.
Order of the Engineer Initiate
"As an Engineer I shall participate in none but honest enterprises. When needed, my skill and knowledge shall be given without reservation for the public good. In the performance of duty and in fidelity to my profession, I shall give the utmost."
Non-Engineering Coursework
Humanities coursework, outside of the School of Engineering & Applied Sciences (formerly "SEAS"->now the "Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences") in Intermediate to Advanced Italian Language & Dante Alighieri's writings (Inferno, Purgatorio, & Paradiso).
Leadership Activities, Clubs and Societies
American Institute of Chemical Engineers | Mentee, Mentor
Tae Kwon Do | Second Degree Black Belt Student & Instructor
Campus Activities Board | former Business Manager, Wilson Commons Chair
Sigma Nu Fraternity | Brother "LH 313"
Undergraduate Summer Research Projects
"Optical Profilometry Characterization of Polymethylmethacrylate thin films deposited by Ambient Chemical Vapor Deposition"
I studied the process variables such as initiator temperature and reactant flow rate on free radical polymerization mechanisms. The specific system studied was methyl methacrylate initiated by t-butoxide. Mentored & Advised by: Prof. Mitchell Anthamatten. Sponsored by: 3M.
"Synthesis, characterization and use of citrate-stabilized silver colloids for improved cost-effectiveness in methods of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) cleanup"
This work sought to develop an approach to utilize the selective binding properties of gold nanoparticles for DNA filtration purposes in a high-throughput post-PCR processing environment. Silanization reactions of various materials, including AHAP-TMS onto a borosilicate surface and subsequent annealing with citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles were performed. Mentored & Advised by: Prof. Lewis J. Rothberg. Sponsored by: NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) - Chemistry with Diffinity Genomics collaboration.
Advanced New York State (NYS) Regents Diploma from Archbishop Molloy High School in Briarwood, NY.
AP Biology Score - 5/5. AP Calculus AB Score - 5/5.
Middle School education from David A. Boody (I.S. 228) in Brooklyn, NY.
Passed Earth Science, Living Environment / Biology, and Algebra Regents exams before promotion / moving up ceremony. Attended all three years of Honors program & Science Magnet program, completing courses in biology, environmental science, herpetology, botany, & earth science - as well as Algebra. Completed three years of foreign language classes in Italian.
Participant in district-wide Gifted and Talented Program (G&T) program within the NYC grammar school system in Queens.
Built an electromagnet in summer between first and second grade.
Used first Bunsen burner in 3rd grade.
Completed six years of Spanish language in elementary school.