Alfred Emil Nkhama
Worcester,MA
Summary
An experienced electrochemist and materials scientist versed in aspects of electrocatalysis, characterization, energy conversion and storage devices, electrode & electrolyte formulations, Coatings, Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) etc.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
Work History
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Oregon
- Taught undergraduate General Chemistry and Physical labs, grading, and students' mentorship
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Pittsburg State University
- Taught undergraduate General Chemistry and Physical labs, grading, and students' mentorship
Battery Materials Engineer
Ascend Elements
07.2023 - 11.2024
- Research & Development for high nickel recycled precursor Cathode Active Materials (pCAM) for rechargeable Li-ion batteries via Co-precipitation
- Design reaction recipes and execute experiments from lab to pilot scale (2L to 1000L reactors) focusing on reagent ratios, optimizing recipe flow rates targeting the desired materials property specifications
- Upscaling lab reaction recipes to pilot and production scale
- Cathode team Calibration and Inventory engineer
New Applications Group Research and Development intern
De Nora Tech, Inc
06.2022 - 06.2023
- 12-months internship, serving as a Co-Principal Investigator (PI), for perovskite catalysts anodes research for Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (AEMWE) applications, where I gained extensive experience in electrolyzer cell testing procedure, ranging from ink formulation & manipulation, coating, MEA, testing, data analysis and interpretation, and presentation of reports
- On top of that, I introduced and suggested a doping process approach, where we were able to significantly improve the performance of the perovskite anodes through hydrothermal sulfurization and thermal phosphorization techniques
- Investigated non-precious mixed metal oxides for application in AEMWE as anodes and cathodes, targeting catalyst loading thresholds and performance efficiency as per Department of Energy (DOE) target
- Designed and executed an electrolyzer cell testing stand/station with a self-controlled and monitoring features
- The system is used for circulating electrolyte through the cell and the reservoir during cell testing under specified conditions
- The skill set involved were drilling, plumbing, fitting, wiring and the required electronics for automated safety and levels control
Metrologist
Tanzania Bureau of Standards
11.2015 - 07.2019
- Assisting in all aspects pertaining calibration and quality management
- Assisting in studying and implementing laboratory safety procedures and regulations
- Assisting in preparing quality manual procedures and calibration methods
- Assisting in preparing, publicizing, and disseminating technical tests and information
Intern
Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission
06.2012 - 09.2012
- Dosimetry Laboratory: Undertook radiation dose measurement trainings
- Healthy and Environmental Monitoring Laboratory: Trained on gamma spectrometry
- X-Ray Fluorescence laboratory: Trained on x-ray material analysis techniques
Education
Master's - Electrochemical Science and Technology
University of Oregon
01.2023
Master's - Materials Science
Pittsburg State University
01.2021
Bachelor of Science - Physics
University of Dodoma
01.2013
Skills
- Electrochemical Characterization and Processing
- Cyclic voltammetry (CV)
- Chronopotentiometry (CP)
- Chronoamperometry (CA)
- Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)
- Electrolyzers and Fuel Cells
- Electrodes & Electrolyte formulation
- Spray Coating
- Spin Coating
- Paint Coating
- Thermal Coating
- Rotating Disk Electrode (RDE)
- Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)
- Li-Ion Battery Assembly and Testing
- Flow batteries
- Electroplating
- Corrosion
- Design of Experiment (DOE)
- Data acquisition and analysis tools
- EC-lab
- Python
- JMP
- VersaStudio
- Origin
- Potentiostat
- Gamry
- Arbin
- Simulation Software
- COMSOL (Electrochemistry Package)
- SOLIDWORKS (Finite Element Analysis)
- Materials Characterization (SEM, EDX & XRD, Optical)
- Thin films (Lithography and Sputtering)
- Microsoft Products: Word
- Microsoft Products: Excel
- Microsoft Products: Power Point
- Teamwork
- Flexibility
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Ability to work under pressure
- Communication
- Leadership
Masterthesis
Facile Synthesis of Metal Oxides, Sulfides and Phosphides for enhanced energy applications, Dr. Ram K. Gupta, Pittsburg State University
Publications
- A facile preparation of sulfur doped nickel-iron nanostructures with improved HER and supercapacitor performance, Alfred Nkhamaa, Jonghyun Choib, Anuj Kumarc, Sanjay R. Mishrad, Felio Pereze, Ram K. Gupta, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 12/28/2021
- Chapter 1: Introduction, Energy from Waste: Production and Storage, 978-1032013596
Coursesandprofessionaltrainings
- 04/2016, The Uncertainty of Measurement (Physical Course), National Laboratory Association of South Africa
- 03/2017 - 05/2017, Flow Measurement and Control Techniques/Software in Industrial Process and Water Distribution Systems, Fluid Control Research Institute, India
- 06/2018, DIMENSIONAL PART I COURSE, NLA, South Africa
- 06/2018, Working principles and operation of Laser Interferometer, National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA)
- 03/2019 - 05/2019, Assessing the Impact of Stability of Medium to the Uncertainty of Measurement, BIPM and TUBITAK-UME (National Metrology Institute of Turkey)
Timeline
Battery Materials Engineer
Ascend Elements
07.2023 - 11.2024
New Applications Group Research and Development intern
De Nora Tech, Inc
06.2022 - 06.2023
Metrologist
Tanzania Bureau of Standards
11.2015 - 07.2019
Intern
Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission
06.2012 - 09.2012
Master's - Materials Science
Pittsburg State University
Bachelor of Science - Physics
University of Dodoma
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Oregon
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Pittsburg State University
Master's - Electrochemical Science and Technology
University of Oregon