Materials Chemistry and Energy Storage Expert

Specialties & Experience of this Expert Witness

Additional Information

I joined the faculty at Central Michigan University in Fall, 2002 & have been involved in battery research since 2009. Through funding from the U.S. Army (Tank and Automotive Research and Development Engineering Center, TARDEC, and Ground Vehicle Systems Center, GVSC), I have worked on the development of novel anode materials for Li-ion batteries from 2009-2022 and the development of cathode materials, including single atom catalysts (SACs) for metal-S batteries since 2022. Our first highly cited paper in this field was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS) in 2010 - the first to report the Li-capacity of graphene nanoribbons prepared via chemical unzipping of carbon nanotubes. I have extensive knowledge of the Li-ion literature and experience with electrode fabrication and testing using both Princeton Applied Research and Maccor battery testing systems. I also have extensive experience working with organic carbonates as electrolytes for Li-ion batteries and the LiTFSI/DOL:DME electrolyte system for Li-S batteries. We have also developed a variety of inorganic nanoparticles (e.g., alumina, TiO2, and Sn-doped TiO2) as novel anode materials for Li-ion cells. In addition, we have incorporated these nanoparticles within the pores of Celgard separators to address issues with polysulfide shuttling during the reversible cycling of metal-S batteries. Beyond energy storage, I have been involved in a variety of other research projects involving the synthesis of organometallic and coordination compounds as precursors for subsequent vapor deposition of high-k dielectrics for integrated circuits. We have also synthesized a variety of quantum dots for solar cell (photovoltaic) applications. I routinely utilize XPS, SEM and TEM, as well as dynamic light scattering and other routine methods (XRD, MS, NMR, IR) to characterize our samples at facilities on campus at CMU and at the MC2 facility at the U of M (HAADF-STEM, HRTEM, FESEM). Beyond experimental expertise, I am the sole author of “Materials Chemistry” (Springer Nature; currently in 4th ed.), which describes the structure and property of materials classes, as well as synthetic strategies, characterization methods, and applications. This authoring experience has afforded me an appreciation of various synthetic strategies and current limitations for a diverse range of materials, which has helped to formulate strategies for my own research program. I also have many years of experience (25 yrs) with chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD), used for thin film deposition and nanomaterials synthesis. We are currently using ALD for the growth of single atom catalysts on a variety of carbon supports. My litigation history: i) During graduate school at Rice University (1996-2000), I assisted my Ph.D. advisor (Prof. Andy Barron) with a case involving Sylvania Corp. related to electroluminescent phosphor particles. I performed a variety of laboratory studies including the design and testing of a new type of fluidized-bed chemical vapor deposition system. I also assisted Dr. Barron with some technical aspects needed for his expert reports. ii) As an Assistant Prof. at CMU (2003-2004), I assisted Dr. Donald Tomalia with a patent litigation involving dendrimer-encapsulated metal nanoparticles. I helped Dr. Tomalia with literature reviews and preparing documents for his litigation. iii) In Case No. 2:19-cv-20097 (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) v. Samsung Electronics America, Inc.), I represented the defendant and have performed a variety of laboratory studies (quantum dot syntheses and characterization). I prepared various expert reports related to the use of dynamic light scattering (DLS), which is relevant to the IP of the case and was deposed by RPI counsel. I also co-presented a tutorial to the judge related to quantum dots and characterization techniques at the Markman hearing alongside another Samsung-retained expert.