RESUME
Dr. Oritsegbemi (Ogbemi) Ola Omatete
Born: October 17, 1939 Ugborodo, Delta State, Nigeria
Education
Elementary: First Baptist School, Sapele, Delta State
1945 – 53
Secondary:
Government College, Ughelli, Delta State
1953 – 60
West African School Cert (WASC) Grade 1
1958
Cambridge Overseas’ Higher School Cert (HSC)
1960
With exemption, and distinctions in Physics and Chemistry
Won the first Shell BP post secondary school scholarship as
first in Western Region in an oil technology examination 1958
Other Activities: Athletics, football (soccer) and cricket, prefect.
Won the ASPAU scholarship to study in the USA
1961
University:
1. Princeton University, Princeton, NJ USA
1961 – 66
BSE with Honors in Chemical Engineering
1964
Won AFGRAD scholarship for the masters’ program
1964 - 66
Concurrent MSE in Chemical Engineering and MPA in
Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School
1966/67
Other Activities: Soccer – First team All Ivy, honorable – All American
Campus politics: VP & President of Pan African Students Org. of Am
2. University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
1966- 72
PhD in Chemical Engineering (1971) and post doctorate 1971-72
Other Activities: Married and had three children
Career in Nigeria (1972 – 89)
Recruited from the University of California Berkeley by Prof Oluwasanmi, the Vice
Chancellor, to join the new Chemical Technology Dept at the University of Ife, now
Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in 1972.
University of Ife (OAU), Ile-Ife: Lecturer II
1972 – 74
Helped to develop the chemical engineering curriculum and taught several courses.
Produced the first Nigerian trained chemical engineering graduates in 1973
University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos
1974 – 88/89
Lecturer I, Senior Lecturer, Associate Prof., and Department head.
Helped to develop undergraduate (1974) and graduate (1979) curriculum for department.
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Produced several generations of Nigerian trained chemical engineers.
Served in various capacities: Metrication Committee, Conversion to Unit Course System,
Hall Warden, Hall Master, Sports Council
External Examiner to Uniben, Benin (1984 –86), and IMT, Enugu (1985-86).
Professional Activities
Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE)
Honorary National Secretary
1978 – 80
Finalized NSChE’s Constitution and initiated its incorporation
Lead NSChE accreditation team of the Nigerian Board of Technical Education
(NBTE) to the Fed. Polytechnic, Bida (1980) and the Imo State College of Technology
Owerri (1985).
Member – Technical Committee of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON)
on Rubber and LPG gas cylinders
Member of the Governing Council (Board of Trustees) of The Federal
Polytechnic, Bida (1984-88)
Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE)
Member: Professional Development Committee (1980-83), Technical Committee
advising the editorial board of the journal “The Nigerian Engineer” (1984-86), and
Membership Committee (1986-88)
Coordinator for chemical engineering in the formation of division in NSE (1981)
Career in the United States of America (1988 – 2003)
After nearly two decades teaching and developing chemical engineering education and
practice in Nigeria, I was employed, probably the first Nigerian, at United States
Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (formerly Atomic Energy
Laboratory) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, Tennessee
1988-2003
Metals & Ceramics (M&C) Division
Development Staff Member
1988-1994
Senior Development Staff Member
1994-2003
Research Activity: Processing of high-tech ceramics (also fine ceramics or space-age
ceramics) for high technology applications.
One of the two inventors: Aqueous Gelcasting process for forming, especially, large
complex-shaped ceramic parts
We received many awards for the process and our publications on it were translated into
many languages, especially oriental (Chinese, Japanese, Korean?).
In addition to publications, I gave presentations relating to it at conferences all over the
US and abroad, such as Mol, Belgium and Arita near Hiroshima in Nagasaki, Japan.
Licensing the gelcasting process: Several companies licensed the process.
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Led to new devise: Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA).
AlliedSignal (now part of Honeywell International) requested for me on loan to assist in
developing the process at their facility
I became the pioneer personal (model now followed) transferred from a DOE lab to a
private company. It required months of negotiations, legal and professional. (1996-98)
I led their team to adapt our process to manufacturing their products (silicon nitride turbo
machinery parts such as turbine rotors, vanes, and shafts) and then built a model fairly
automated high volume production pilot plant based on our gelcasting process.
2003 – Now
Retired and does some consulting, while avidly golfing and traveling.
Areas of my Research Involvement
Multi-component ion exchange separations
Distillation, azeotropic & extractive
Ceramic processing for forming advanced ceramics into complex-shaped turbo
machinery components
Separation of gases using Carbon Fiber Carbon Molecular Sieve (CFCMS)
CO2 Sequestration using CFCMS
Society Membership
1. American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE): From Student Member
(1967) to Current Life time Member
2. Nigerian Academy of Engineering (NAE), Fellow (2012)
3. Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE): From Member (1973) to
current Life time Fellow
4. Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE): From Member 1980, now Fellow (FNSE)
5. American Ceramic Society (ACerS): From Member (1989) to current Senior
Member
6. American Chemical Society (ACS) - (1982-86)*
7. Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria (COREN) R-0461 (1978).
Awards
2008-AIChE 2008 Black Achiever in Chemical Engineering Award
1998-Lockheed Martin President’s – Group Continuous Improvement
1996-Federal Laboratory Consortium-Excellence in Technology Transfer
1995-R&D 100 Award - one of best 100 inventions of the year (prestigious, names on
plaque at main entrance of ORNL) - “Academy Award of Sciences”
1995-Scientific Achievement Award East Tenn. Chapter of NOBCChE
1994-Martin Marietta Energy Systems Significant Event Award
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1992-Advanced Technology Award by the Inventors Club of America
1991-Martin Marietta Energy Systems Technical Achievement Award
US Patents
1. Janney & Omatete, "Method for Molding Ceramic Powders using WaterBased Gel Casting" No. 5,028,362, Jul. 2, 1991
2. Janney & Omatete, "Method for Molding Ceramic Powder Using a WaterBased Gelcasting Process," No. 5,145,908, Sept. 8, 1992.
3. Tiegs, Holcombe, Dykes, Omatete, & Young, "Method for Nitriding
Refractory Metal Articles," No. 5,294,264, March 15, 1994.
4. Walls, Janney, Omatete, Nunn, McMillan, “Gelcasting Methods,” No.
6,066,279, May 23, 2000.
5. Hu, DePaoli, Kuritz and Omatete, “Production of Aligned Microfibers and
Nanofibers and Derived Functional Monoliths,” No. 7,255,781, Aug 14,
2007
Partial list of Publications
1. O. O. Omatete “Reason and Serendipity in Invention: The Gelcasting
Case,” Proceedings of NSChE, Lagos, Nov. 2011
2. O. O. Omatete and J. J. Nick, “Improved Gelcasting Systems,” Ceram.
Eng. Sci. Proc., 20, [3] 241-248 (1999).
3. O. O. Omatete and M. Colic, “Gelcast Slurry Enhancement,” Ceram. Eng.
Sci. Proc., 20, [3] 233-240(1999).
4. J. J. Nick, D. Newson, R. Masseth, S. Monette and O. O. Omatete,
“Gelcasting Automation for High-Volume Production of Silicon Nitride
Turbine Wheels,” Ceram. Eng. Sci. Proc., 20, [3] 225-232 (1999).
5. J. J. Nick, D, Newson, B. Draskovich, and O. O. Omatete, “Gelcasting
Advancement for Manufacturing Scale-up,” Ceram. Eng. Sci. Proc., 20,
[3] 217-224 (1999).
6. Mark A. Janney, Ogbemi O. Omatete, Claudia A. Walls, Stephen D.
Nunn, Randy J. Ogle and Gary Westmoreland. “Development of LowToxicity Gelcasting Systems,” J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 81 [3] 581-91 (1998).
7. Mark A. Janney, Stephen D. Nunn, Claudia A. Walls, Ogbemi O.
Omatete, Randy B. Ogle, Glen H. Kirby, and April D. McMillan
“GELCASTING” To be published in The Handbook Of Ceramic
Engineering Mohamed N. Rahaman, Editor, Marcel Dekker, 1999
8. O. O. Omatete, M. A. Janney and S. D. Nunn, “Gelcasting: From
Laboratory Development Toward Industrial Production,” J. European
Ceram. Soc. 17 407-413 (1997).
9. S. D. Nunn, O.O. Omatete, C. A. Walls, and D. L. Barker, "Tensile
Strength of Dried Gelcast Green Bodies,” Ceram. Eng. Sci. Proc., 15 [4]
493-498 (1994).
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10. Omatete, O. O., Pollinger, J. P. and K. O’Young, “Optimization of the
Gelcasting of a Silicon Nitride Formulation,” American Ceramic Soc.
Transactions, Vol 56, pp 337-343, (1995)
11. Omatete and Bleier, “Tailoring Suspension flow for the Gelcasting of
Oxide and Nonoxide Ceramics,” Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol 346, pp
357-363, (1994).
12. O. O. Omatete and A. Bleier, “Evaluation of Dispersants for Gelcasting
Alumina,” in Dispersion and Aggregation: Fundamentals and
Applications, B. M. Moudgil and P. Somasundaran, Ed., Engineering
Foundation NY (1994), pp. 269-278.
13. Bleier, Omatete & Westmoreland, "Rheology of Zirconia-Alumina
Gelcasting Slurries," Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. Vol 271, pp 269-275,
(1992).
14. Bleier, Omatete & Westmoreland, "Rheology and Microstructure of
Concentrated Zirconia-Alumina Suspensions for Gelcasting Composites,"
Mat. Res. Soc. Res. Proc. Vol 289, pp.109-115, (1992).
15. Omatete, Tiegs & Young, "Gelcast Reaction-Bonded Silicon Nitride
Composites,” Ceram Eng & Sci Proceed., 12 [9-10] 1257-64, 1991.
16. Omatete, Bleier, Westmoreland & Young, "Gelcast Zirconia-Alumina
Composites," Ceram Eng & Sci Proceed., 12 [7-8] 2084-94, 1991.
17. Omatete, Strehlow & Walls, "Drying of Gelcast Ceramics," Trans Am.
Ceram Soc., 26, 101-7, 1992.
18. C. Young, O. O. Omatete, M. A. Janney, & P. A. Menchhofer, "Gelcasting
of Alumina," J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 74 [3] 612-18 (1991)
19. O. O. Omatete, M. A. Janney & R. A. Strehlow, "Gelcasting- A New
Ceramic Forming Process," Ceramic Bulletin, 70 [10], Oct 1991.
20. O. O. Omatete & R. A. Strehlow, "Gelcasting of Submicron Alumina,
SiAlON, and Silicon Nitride Powders," 37th Army Sagamore Conference
Proceedings, pp 201-212, Plymouth Mass. (Oct 1991).
21. O. O. Omatete, R. A. Strehlow, and B. L. Armstrong, "Forming of Silicon
Nitride by Gelcasting," pp.245-51 in Proceedings of the Annual
Automotive Tech. Dev. Contractor's Coordination Meeting, P-243, SAE
Warrendale, PA (1991).
22. O. O. Omatete, A. C. Young, M. A. Janney, and J. H. Adair,
"Investigation of Dilute Gelcasting Alumina Suspension," Am Ceram Soc,
Ceramic Trans Vol 12 - Ceramic Powder Science III pp. 537-544, (1990).
23. Omatete, O.O., Bodaghi, H., Fellers, J.F. and C.L. Browne "Processing
and characterization of cellulose triacetate films from isotropic and liquid
crystalline solutions" J. of Rheology, 30(3), 629-659, (1986).
24. Omatete, O. O. and T. Vermeulen, "Column dynamics of ternary ionexchange: Particle-mass-transfer controlling," Journal of NSChE, 1984.
25. Olabisi, O. and O. O. Omatete "Stabilized mud for low-cost housing"
Proc. of NSChE Conference, Port Harcourt, (1984).
26. Omatete, O. O., G. Klein and T. Vermeulen "Simplified closed-form
solutions for constant-pattern breakthrough curves in multi-component
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ion-exchange" Nigerian Journal of Eng. and Tech.(NJET) 5(1), 95-107,
1982.
27. Omatete, O. O. and K. O. Chukwu "Ion exchange in conc. electrolyte
solutions: I-Electrolyte sorption by ion-exchange resins" Proc. of NSChE
conference, pp. 29-38, University of Lagos, (1982).
28. Omatete, O. O., J. C. Adisa and V. O. Saduwa "Ion exchange in conc.
electrolyte solutions: II-Binary ion-exchange in columns" Proc. of NSChE
conference, 281-291, University of Lagos, (1982).
29. Omatete, O. O. and V. I. Nte, "Drying rate curve and cottage dryer design
for hard-shelled cray-fish (Palaemon Paurideus)" Chem. Age of India,
31(3), 207-210, Mar. 1980.
30. Omatete, O. O., R. N. Clazie and T. Vermeulen "Column dynamics of
ternary ion-exchange: I-Diffusional and mass-transfer relations" The
Chemical Engr Journal 19(3), 229-240, (1980).
31. Omatete, O. O. et al "Column dynamics of ternary ion-exchange: IISolution-mass-transfer controlling" The Chemical Engr. Journal 19(3),
241-250, (1980).
32. Omatete, O. O. and C. Judson King, "Volatiles retention during the rehumidification of freeze-dried food models" Journal of Food Tech. 13,
165-180, (1978).
33. Omatete, O.O. and H. H. Sephton, "Foamy two-phase flow evaporation
applied to sugar cane processing" Proc. of the xvi congress of the
International of Society of Sugar Cane Technologist (ISSCT) vol 3, pp.
2277 - 2288, Sao Paulo, Brazil, (1977).
34. Omatete, O. O. "A method for the rapid transfer of technology" Proc. of
the conference of the NSChE, University of Lagos (1976).
35. Omatete, O. O. contributed the chapter "The Security of the Nigerian
Nation" to the book, "Dilemma of Nationhood" edited by Okpaku, J.
Greenwood Press Connecticut & The Third Press New York, 1971.
Partial list of PRESENTATIONS
1. Omatete, O. O. “Reason and Serendipity in Invention, The Gelcasting
Case,” 41st Annual Conference and AGM, NSChE, Lagos, Nov. 2011
2. Omatete, O. O., Janney, M. A. and S. D. Nunn “Gelcasting: from
Laboratory Development toward Industrial Production,” presented at the
International Conference on the Shaping of Advanced Ceramics, Mol
Belgium Apr 25-27, 1995 to be published in the Journal of the European
Ceramic Society.
3. O. O. Omatete, "Rheology in Gelcasting," Presented at the Graduate
Seminar, The Materials Science and Engineering Dept, The University of
Alabama at Birmingham, AL November 3, 1994.
4. O. O. Omatete, M. A. Janney and S. D. Nunn, “Gelcasting - A novel
ceramic forming process,” Presented at the American Institute of
Chemical Engineers Annual Meeting, SF, November 13-18, 1994.
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5. O. O. Omatete, "Gelcasting: process and applications," Presented at the
ASM International, Oak Ridge, TN April 7, 1995.
6. M. A. Janney, O. O. Omatete, S. D. Nunn, and C. A. Walls, "Binder
Burnout in Gelcast Ceramics, "Paper SXIX-35-95, 97th Annual Meeting
of the American Ceramic Society, Cincinnati, OH April 30-May 3, 1995.
7. M. A. Janney, O. O. Omatete, S. D. Nunn, and C. A. Walls, "Binder
Burnout in Gelcast Ceramics, "Paper SXIX-52-95, 97th Annual Meeting
of the American Ceramic Society, Cincinnati, OH April 30-May 3, 1995.
8. C. A. Walls, D. L. Barker, M. A. Janney, S. D. Nunn, and O. O. Omatete,
"Gelcasting: A Net Shape Forming Process," Poster SXIX-62-95, 97th
Annual Meeting of the American Ceramic Soc., Cincinnati, OH April 30May 3, 1995.
9. D. L. Barker, M. A. Janney, S. D. Nunn, O. O. Omatete, and C. A. Walls,
"Green Body Strength and Machining Characteristics of Gelcast
Alumina," Poster SXIX-16-95, 97th Annual Meeting of the American
Ceramic Soc., Cincinnati, OH April 30-May 3, 1995.
10. S. D. Nunn, O. O. Omatete, C. A. Walls, and D. L. Barker, "Aqueous
Gelcasting of Ceramic Materials," Paper SVIII-66-94, 96th Annual
Meeting of the American Ceramic Society, IN, April 24-27, 1994.
11. Omatete, "Gelcasting and Rheological Properties of Ceramic Slurries,"
invited presentation at the S. East Section of the ACerS meeting,
Greenville, SC 3/93.
12. Omatete, Gelcasting: A New Forming Process," invited presentation at the
meeting of the Ceramic Association of NJ, Harmon, NJ 6/10/93.
13. Omatete, "Ceramic Forming by Gelcasting," invited presentation at the
3M Technical Forum, St Paul, MN, April, 1992.
14. Omatete, O. O. "Gelcasting," technical session organized by The National
Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and
Chemical Engineers (NOBCCHE), WATTec '91, Knoxville.
15. Omatete, O. O. "Structural Ceramics," The National Organization for the
Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers
(NOBCCHE) technical session,
WATTEC '90, Feb 22, 1990,
Knoxville, TN.
16. Omatete, O. O. "Gelcasting," The Graduate Seminar, Department of
Material Science and Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville,
March 29, 1990.
17. Omatete, O. O. and M. A. Janney, "A Round-Robin Test of
Electrophoretic Mobility for Ceramic Powders," The 92nd Annual
Meeting of The American Ceramic Society, April 22-26, 1990, Dallas,
Texas.
18. Omatete, O. O., R. H. Strehlow, and C. A. Walls, "Properties of Alumina
Ceramics made by the Gelcasting Process," The 92nd Annual Meeting of
The American Ceramic Society, April 22-26, 1990, Dallas, Texas.
19. Omatete, O. O. "Gelcasting: Process Development and Technology
Transfer," The Advisory Committee, Metals and Ceramics Division,
ORNL, Apr 1990.
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20. Omatete, O. O. "Gelcasting a New Ceramic Powder," The Technology
Transfer Workshops on Gelcasting, Oak Ridge National Laboratory,
February 15, March 8, and June 6, 1990.
21. Omatete, O. O., "Strategies for the development of petro-chemicals in the
5th National Development Plan (1986-1990)" Conference on strategies for
the 5th National Dev. Plan, NISER, University of Ibadan, 1984.
22. Omatete, O. O., "Role of engineers in a developing economy" ULES
symposium, University of Lagos, 1980.
23. Omatete, O. O., "Sectoral technology transfer" ULES symposium,
University of Lagos, 1978.
24. Omatete, O. O., "The need for technical professionals in Africa" Western
Regional Black Engr. & Sci Conference, San Francisco, 1976.
Theses
1. Omatete, O. O., "Evolutionary operation (EVOP) and adaptive optimization"
BSE - Princeton University, 1964.
2. Omatete, O. O., "Catalytic cracking using a frequency response technique"
MSE - Princeton University, 1966.
3. Omatete, O. O., "Column Dynamics of ternary ion-exchange"
PhD - University of California, Berkeley, 1971.
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