Alfred Emil Nkhama
Worcester,MA
Summary
Experienced materials scientist/engineer and electrochemist skilled in Precursor Cathode Active Materials (pCAM) synthesis, water electrolysis, characterization, energy conversion and storage devices, electrode & electrolyte formulations, coatings, Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA) etc.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Battery Materials Engineer
Ascend Elements, Inc
07.2023 - 11.2024
- Research & Development of mid and high Nickel precursor Cathode Active Materials (pCAM) for rechargeable Li-ion batteries via Co-precipitation.
- Coordinating with PIs, designed and optimized pCAM synthesis process through tuning reaction conditions and reactors geometries targeting the desired materials properties.
- Troubleshooted, commissioned, and executed pCAM synthesis reactors from lab to pilot scale (2L to 1000L) size reactors.
- Enhanced materials quality by conducting post reactions processing studies to meet the desired materials specifications.
- Conducted failure analysis to determine root causes and recommended corrective actions during and post reaction processing.
- Coordinated with vendors, suppliers, and manufacturers of parts and systems for knowledge and applicability know-how for pCAM synthesis and post-processing.
- Mentored junior engineers and technicians by providing guidance on best practices and processes improvements.
- Documented standard operating procedures and instructional manuals.
New Applications Group Research and Development intern
De Nora Tech, Inc
06.2022 - 06.2023
- 12-months internship, served 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 building and testing, ranging from ink formulation & manipulation, coating, MEA, testing, data analysis and interpretation, and presentation of reports.
- Introduced 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 the 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
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Oregon
10.2021 - 06.2022
- Taught undergraduate General Chemistry labs.
- Conducted weekly office hours to provide academic guidance to students.
- Graded student assignments and exams, providing feedback on their performance.
- Attended departmental meetings to discuss teaching strategies and methods.
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Pittsburg State University
08.2019 - 05.2021
- Taught undergraduate General Physical labs
- Assisted with setting up laboratory experiments for classes.
- Provided individual tutoring sessions for struggling students as needed.
- Assisted professors in designing course syllabi and lesson plans.
- Conducted weekly office hours to provide academic guidance to students.
- Graded student assignments and exams, providing feedback on their performance.
Metrologist
Tanzania Bureau of Standards
11.2015 - 07.2019
- Developed, implemented and maintained a Quality Control System for the Metrology Lab in accordance with ISO and IEC 17025 standards.
- Ensured accuracy of measurements by calibrating measuring tools and equipment using traceable standards.
- Implemented laboratory safety procedures and regulations
- Prepared quality manual procedures and calibration methods
- Prepared, publicized, and disseminated 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
06-2023
Master's - Materials Science
Pittsburg State University
05-2021
Bachelor of Science - Physics
University of Dodoma
11-2013
Skills
Electrochemical Characterization and Processing
- Cyclic voltammetry (CV)
- Chronopotentiometry (CP)
- Chronoamperometry (CA)
- Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS)
- Electrolyzers
- 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
- PSD
Microsoft Products
- Word
- Excel
- Power Point
Personal skills
- Teamwork
- Flexibility
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Ability to work under pressure
- Communication
- Leadership
Publications
- Article: A facile preparation of sulfur doped nickel-iron nanostructures with improved HER and supercapacitor performance; Alfred Nkhama, Jonghyun Choib, Anuj Kumarc, Sanjay R. Mishrad, Felio Pereze, Ram K. Gupta, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 12/28/2021
- Book Chapter 1: Introduction, Energy from Waste: Production and Storage; ISBN-13: 978-1032013596
Master thesis
Facile Synthesis of Metal Oxides, Sulfides and Phosphides for enhanced energy applications; under supervision of Dr. Ram K. Gupta, Pittsburg State University
Courses and professional trainings
- 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, Inc
07.2023 - 11.2024
New Applications Group Research and Development intern
De Nora Tech, Inc
06.2022 - 06.2023
Graduate Teaching Assistant
University of Oregon
10.2021 - 06.2022
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Pittsburg State University
08.2019 - 05.2021
Metrologist
Tanzania Bureau of Standards
11.2015 - 07.2019
Intern
Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission
06.2012 - 09.2012
Master's - Electrochemical Science and Technology
University of Oregon
Master's - Materials Science
Pittsburg State University
Bachelor of Science - Physics
University of Dodoma
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