Vidya Viswanath
Tel: 919-600-0823 (M)
Email: vviswan@ncsu.edu
Objective: To pursue a challenging career in polymer science/ materials engineering. With my prior industrial experience
in specialty chemicals and technical expertise in nanomaterials, I look forward to working on a fundamental research
based profile which will expose me to career opportunities in allied fields.
Education
• Ph.D. in Fiber and Polymer Science (GPA: 3.96/4.0 )
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
With minor in Chemical Engineering and emphasis on polymeric nanofibrous systems
• Master of Science in Textile Engineering (GPA: 3.93/4.0)
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC
Specialization in polymeric additive systems and trained in Six Sigma Black Belt
• Bachelors of Technology (B. Tech) in Textile Engineering (GPA: 4.0/4.0)
V.J.T.I., Mumbai University, Mumbai, India
Specialization in Textile Technology and emphasis on Technical Textiles
(Aug’ 10- Nov’13)
(Aug’ 08- May’ 10)
(Aug’ 03- May’ 07)
Technical Skills
• Expertise in nanomaterials, active particles, electrospinning, photothermal annealing, melt spinning, thermoplastics,
polymeric dispersions, plastic additive systems, pretreatment activators and stabilizers, pigment printing, dyeing
auxiliaries, crosslinking agents, stain repellant systems, polymeric coating systems, lamination, resin systems,
masterbatch and compounding systems, extrusion.
• Characterization techniques- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM),
Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning
Calorimetry (DSC), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Wide angle X-Ray Diffraction (WAXD), Thermo-gravimetric analysis
(TGA), Polarized Light Microscopy, Rheometry,Tensile testing, X-Ray Fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF)
Professional and Research Experience
• Case Western Reserve’s Center for Layered Polymeric Systems (CLiPS): Research associate
(Aug’15-present)
Macromolecular Science & Engineering Department, CWRU; (P.I. LaShanda Korley, Jon Pokorski, Eric Baer)
Optimization of novel and scalable multilayered co-extrusion process to produce high surface area nanofibers from
low-cost commodity polymers for tissue engineering scaffolds
Utilization of co-extrusion process to produce membranes with shutdown function for energy applications
Develop metrology for fiber characterization of co-extruded nanofibers to investigate structural morphology and
subsequent impact of microstructure on macroscale mechanical properties.
Mentoring a team of graduate and undergraduate researchers in fiber processing and characterization
•
Aditya Birla Science and Technology Company: Senior Scientist
(Jun’14-Feb’15)
Provide analytical support on key projects for allied corporate business units (Aluminum, polymer and cement)
Conduct XRD phase analysis and Rietveld refinement for bauxite, copper concentrates and copper slag
Develop new methods for multi-element characterization of cement raw material and clinker using XRF
In charge of microscopy and material characterization (SEM,XRD,DSC,TGA)
Liaise with external customers to provide analytical assistance thereby aiding revenue generation
• North Carolina State University: Graduate research assistant
(Aug’ 10 – Dec’ 13)
Fiber and Polymer Science: P.I. Russell E. Gorga and Laura I. Clarke
Project: Annealing Polymer Nanocomposite Fibers and Films Via Photothermal Heating: Effects On Overall Crystallinity
and Morphology. (NSF Grant No: 1069108)
- Optimized a novel post processing technique to photo-thermally anneal nanocomposite systems, using plasmonic
heating with the help of gold nanoparticles acting as localized heat sources.
- Demonstrated the advantages of plasmonic heating on conventional bulk annealing in obtaining unique
morphologies with enhanced crystallinities and mechanical properties
Project: Manufacture of high strength aligned electrospun nanofibers for biomedical applications
- Fabricated an assembly to obtain in-process alignment of nanofibers
1
Vidya Viswanath
Tel: 919-600-0823 (M)
-
Email: vviswan@ncsu.edu
Conducted morphological and mechanical characterization of aligned nanofibers as a function of drawing speeds
• North Carolina State University: Graduate Teaching Assistant
- Worked as a teaching assistant and grader for Polymeric Biomaterial Engineering course.
- Helped design course manual for Introduction to Fiber Science for undergraduate students
(Aug’ 10 – May’11)
• North Carolina State University: Graduate research assistant
(Aug’ 08 – May’ 10)
Textile Engineering: P.I. Richard Kotek
Project: Degradation Studies of Polypropylene Fibers and Nonwovens with Pro-Degradant Additives
- Successfully developed an inexpensive pro-oxidant and pro-degradant additive system that can be applied during melt
processing to produce biodegradable polyolefin- fibers and nonwovens
- Studied the effect of abiotic degradation methods on pro-degradant additive containing PP filaments and nonwovens
• BASF India Limited : Research engineer in Performance Chemicals Division
(Jul’ 07- Aug’ 08)
Optimization of DMDHEU based resin systems for application in the denim industry
- Developed customized recipes using Modified dimethyloldihydroxyethylene urea Fixapret® resins for obtaining
special finishes for denim garments with maximum durability and strength retention.
- Optimized formaldehyde free resin systems to develop finishes like whisker effect on denim substrates.
Development of functional polymeric coatings
- Hands on experience in solvent based coating (polyurethanes, acrylates), water based coatings (aliphatic
polyurethanes) and hot melt coating of thermoplastics
- Expertise in direct coating, foam coating of substrates using polyurethane and acrylic based resins
- Formulated and optimized functional polymeric coatings for the development of Antiskid, Anti static, glossy, Stiff,
glitter (pearl finish), water proof finishes based on customer requirements.
Development of specialized finishes on a given substrate
- Usage of finishing auxiliaries, polysiloxane based softeners, crosslinking resins for the development of easy care
finishes, moisture management finishes, Soft finishes, Anti-Pilling finishes etc
Impact of poor quality packaging material
Root cause analysis, cost of poor quality (COPQ) packaging material, vendor reliability analysis
•
Texanlab Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. : Engineering intern
(May 05—Jul’ 05)
Performed quality control testing on garments, home textiles, dyes and auxiliaries. (ISO, EN, AATCC)
•
Cottons by Century: Engineering intern
(May 06—Jul’ 06)
Underwent industrial training in filament and yarn manufacturing, air and water jet weaving, chemical wet processing
Conference proceedings and publications
st
- V. Viswanath (1 ), S. Maity, J. Bochinski, L. Clarke and R. Gorga, “Thermal annealing of polymer nanocomposites via
photothermal heating: effects on crystallinity and spherulite morphology", Macromolecules 2013.
- V.Viswanath, Speaker “Annealing polymer nanocomposite fibers and films with photothermal heating: effects on overall
th
crystallinity and resultant mechanical properties” at American Physical Society (APS), March 18 , 2013
- V. Viswanath (2nd), B. Keene, M. Bourham, and R. Kotek,Photo-oxidation, γ-Radiation, and Biodegradation of
Polypropylene Nonwovens, AATCC poster presentation
- V. Viswanath (2nd), B. Keene, M. Bourham, and R. Kotek, Characterization of Degradation of Polypropylene Nonwovens
Irradiated by γ-Ray", Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2013.
- V. Viswanath, W. E. Krause, and R. E. Gorga, “Aligned electrospun nanofibers for ligament/tendon scaffolds”, Oral
Presentation, Nanofibers for the Third Millenium, August 2011, Raleigh, NC.
Honors and awards
- Member of “The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi” for Academic Excellence in Graduate studies
- Library representative of College of Textiles, NCSU.
Visa status: H1B, valid until 05/31/2016. Can work on H4 EAD subsequently (H1B spouse); Green card application in process
2