Plastics Rubbers Composites
Scientist & Engineer
ABOUT ME
IMAN SOLTANI (Polymer Development Scientist & Engineer)
211-255 Main St, Toronto, ON, M4C 4X2
(647)385-4707, IMAN.SOLTANI@UTORONTO.CA
https://www.linkedin.com/in/iman-soltani-ph-d-2234577
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Polymer & Fiber Research Engineer & Scientist, University of Toronto, ON 8/2017-present
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Compounding (extrusion & batch mixers) polymers, fiber spinning & melt-blowing (PP, PET, PE, PA, PLA, PC, ABS, PVDF, PTFE), and processing novel hybrid nanocomposites & foams (injection molding), with improved performance & investigating their morphology and crystallography (microscopy, image analysis, statistical analysis, XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis), thermo-physical (DSC, TGA, TMA), mechanical (DMA, instron), & rheological (ARES, capillary) properties.
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Supervising graduate students and postdocs on conducting their projects, and training them on polymer processing and characterization techniques.
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Communicating and negotiating (liaison) with major manufacturers of plastic processing (DSM, Brabender, Haake, Xplore) & characterization facilities (TA Instrument, Anton Paar), to equip the processing and characterization labs.
Polymer & Fiber Research Scientist, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 4/2016-8/2017
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Blended polymers & made melt-blown nanofibers (PBT, PET, PS, PVDF, PTFE) for nonwoven filtration applications, & investigating their morphology (POM & SEM microscopy, image analysis, statistical analysis), physical (DSC, TGA, GPC), mechanical, & rheological (parallel plate and capillary rheometry) properties.
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Made hybrid nonwoven mats comprising nanofiber and microfiber layers with various surface properties for gas and liquid filtration applications.
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Produced the thinnest fibers ever through a melt-based method, with the diameter of 36nm.
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Supervised and mentored research assistants on conducting their projects, and training them on polymer processing and characterization techniques.
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Managed the polymer processing and characterization lab.
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Mentoring undergraduate students with their research in polymer and fiber processing, and investigating their morphology and physical, rheological propertie
Polymers & Nanomaterials Research Scientist, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 1/2011-4/2016
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Improved the gas barrier properties of a difficult-to-work-with polymer like highly hydrophobic PS and HIPS for the record high of about 500 times, through coating (multilayer) method, and for more than 2 times through conventionally processable nanocomposite approaches (HIPS, PET, PVAc, adhesives, clay), respectively, for food & beverage packaging application.
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Developed new FDA-approved and optically clear nanocomposites with superior barrier properties against CO2 & O2, by improving the adhesion between polymer bulk and nanoparticles through developing a variety of novel methods, via collaboration with United Resource Recovery Corporation (URRC), one of the largest PET recycling plants in the world and the major supplier of the Coca Cola.
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Proficiently conducted various characterization techniques to investigate physical mechanical and barrier properties, and melt flow behavior of novel polymer nanocomposites, through working with sorption and permeation cells, rheometry, SEM, microtomy, TEM, optical microscopy, ImageJ, XRD, DMA, DSC, TGA, Instron, pH meter.
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Managed the polymer processing and characterization lab.
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Supervised and mentored research assistants on conducting their projects, and training them on polymer processing and characterization techniques.
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Improved the interaction between clay platelets and polymeric matrices, by using polyelectrolyte interlayers and their electrostatic interactions, concluding FDA-approved and optically-transparent exfoliated polymer nanocomposites with improved mechanical, thermal and gas barrier properties.
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Taught undergraduate courses in Thermodynamics, and tutored and supervised undergraduate chemical engineering students with their research.
Plastics, Rubbers, Composites Development Engineer, Renault Automotive MFG Co. Plant at IKCo 1/2002-1/2011
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Founded and managed the Plastics, Rubbers, & Composites Engineering Group and their routine and R&D projects.
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Managed the polymer processing and characterization lab and the composite modeling shop.
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Established novel plastic/rubber hybrid composites with superior physical, mechanical, and rheological properties, through growing brushes, grafting, compounding, and processing of a variety of polymeric blends and composites.
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Formulated & compounded polymer blends (including masterbatch) & hybrid composites with various pieces of equipment, as single & twin screw extruders, batch mixer, injection molding, thermoforming, calendaring, & milling.
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Designed (CAD) & processed engineering polymer (blends, composites, textiles) (mainly based on PA, PP, PET, PBD, PU, ABS, TPO) automotive parts (under bonnet & trim parts (exterior and interior), & performed quality control tests (ISO, ASTM, DIN) on them, aiming at improved performance, customer demands, and reduced costs, in team projects within the frameworks of Stage-Gate (idea to launch), Lean six sigma, and 5-S protocols.
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Directed various characterization tests for different polymeric blends, composites, and textiles including mechanical testing (Instron, impact), rheometry (capillary, rotational, oscillatory), DMA, DSC, TGA, HDT, FTIR, and UV-Vis.
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As the Design MGMT consultant, recommended optimized polymers and processes, in various car design projects.
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Improved the crash resistance of vehicles, through leading research & feasibility study along with communicating & collaborating (liaison) with major chemical companies, Dow, Henkel, & BASF to apply impact absorbent polymeric structural foams in automotive pillars, to be processed at the online paint-shop plant simultaneously with other paint processes.
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Performed design, evaluation, quality control (FMEA), & troubleshooting for chemical processes & materials involved in the online automotive paint-shop, as sealers, PVC under-body, cavity wax, damping sheets, and coatings.
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Experienced with different techniques of making polymeric composites, like hand-lay-up, RTM, SMC, and BMC, mainly for exterior parts with class A surfaces, and GMT for the bumper beam.
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Taught engineers, polymers processing, their properties, and their characterization techniques at the education center.
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Designed technical documents as Design Method Request (DMR), Test Plan, Product Design Specification (PDS), Bill of Materials (BOM), Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS).
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As a supply chain expert, recognized and evaluated the third party and external plastic parts and components manufacturers, and collaborated with them to improve their products quality to fulfill the existing standards.
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Collaborated with quality control department on applying Lean 6 sigma, Kaizen, and 5S on current projects.
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Planned and managed the projects with MS Project and Primavera (Gantt Chart, assigning resources,…).
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Renault Plant at IKCo, with the manufacturing volume of above 700,000 vehicles per annum, and about 40,000 employees, including about 3000 engineers, is the second largest plant of this major French car manufacturing company.
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Developed hybrid microcomposites of short glass fiber and rubber grafted thermoplastic matrix with improved toughness, through growing interactive compatibilizer brushes like MAH and DCP on rubbers and grafting them to thermoplastic matrix, being aided by appropriate shear, stress, and temperature applied by twin-screw extruder, along with investigating their morphology and rheological properties.
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Conducted research and feasibility study on painting processes for plastic parts of the body, like plastic fenders, to be painted simultaneously with the automotive body through the online paint-shop, through Communicating and collaborating with major chemical companies, Dow, Henkel, BASF, and Bayer.
Elastomer Engineering Intern, General Tire & Rubber Co. 3/2001- 9/2001
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Designed and processed different elastomer compounds through working with equipment like banbury, mixer mill, calendering, and conducted various tests for tire and controlled their quality.
EDUCATION
Postdoctoral Fellowship, Polymer & Fiber Processing, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN 2017
Supervisor: Prof. Christopher Macosko, Co-Advisor: Prof. Frank Bates
Ph.D., Polymer & Fiber Science & Nanotechnology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 2016
Dissertation: Using Layer-by-Layer Coating and Nanocomposite Technologies to Improve the Barrier Properties of Polymeric Materials, Needed for Packaging Applications. Supervisor: Prof. Richard Spontak
MS, Polymer Engineering & Science (Polymer Processing), IPPI 2004
Thesis: Investigating Morphology & Rheology of Novel Nylon66/Glass-Fiber/EPDM rubber Graft Composites, with Superior Mechanical Properties.
BS, Polymer Engineering & Science (Polymer Processing), Amirkabir University of Technology 2001
OTHER SKILLS
Computer: MS Office, MS Access, MS Project, XMind, Data Analysis, CATIA, Solid Works, Mold Flow, Origin, Kaleidagraph, MATLAB, LabVIEW, RefWorks, EndNote, Photoshop, Inkscape, Design of Experiment (DOE).
Languages: English: proficient; French: intermediateOTHER SKILLS
AWARDS, HONORS, & AFFILIATIONS
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Was ranked 2018th amongst 212,000 participants in the National Entrance Exam towards BS Degree, so was granted by The Ministry of Sci. Res. &Tech., the undergraduate scholarship to study at Amirkabir Univ. of Tech. (1996).
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Member of Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi (ΦΚΦ), Americ. Inst. of Chem. Eng. (AIChE), Mat. Res. Soc. (MRS), Americ. Physical Soc. (APS), Americ. Chem. Soc (ACS), & ASTM, also Vice-President (NCSU Chapter) of Soc. of Plastics Engineers (SPE).
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Member of Habitat for Humanity, Scientists without Borders, Engineers without Borders International, & Open Arms of Minnesota.
PUBLICATIONS
Book Chapter:
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles:
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I. Soltani, B. Losey, J. D. Martin, R. J. Spontak, "Investigating the Morphology of Highly Gas-Barrier Layer-by-Layer Assemblies of Clay and Alternative Polyelectrolytes", Annual Meeting of Society of Plastic Engineers (ANTEC SPE), Anaheim, California, May, 2017.
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I. Soltani, B. Losey, J. D. Martin, R. D. Sommer, R. J. Spontak, "Morphology of Polymer Nanocomposites Derived from Layer-by-Layer Coated Polystyrene-Based Membranes", Manuscript in Preparation, ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
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I. Soltani, R. J. Spontak, "Gas Transport, Thermal, and Mechanical Properties of Polymer Nanocomposites Derived from Layer-by-Layer Coated Polystyrene-Based Membranes", Manuscript in Preparation, Polymer.
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I. Soltani, R. D. Sommer, R. J. Spontak, "Morphology, Gas Transport, and Dynamic Mechanical Properties in Polymer Nanocomposites Derived from Layer-by-Layer Coated Poly (Vinyl Acetate) Membranes", Manuscript in Preparation, Polymer.
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I. Soltani, R. J. Spontak, "Investigating Improvement in Gas Barrier Properties of Polymer-Based Membranes through Different Coating and Nanocomposite Approaches", (Review Article), Prepared for Submission (Abstract Approved), Macromolecular Rapid Communications.
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M. E. Zeynali, A. A. Yousefi, I. Soltani, "Effects of Malienated Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) Rubber on Dynamic-Mechanical and Rheological Properties of Polyamide 66 (PA 66) Composites", Polymer-Plastics Technology and Engineering, Vol. 48, Issue 1, pp. 42-47, 2008.
Conference Proceedings:
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I. Soltani, R. J. Spontak, " Improvement in dynamic mechanical and barrier properties of innovative polymer clay nanocomposites based on polystyrene matrix", American Chemical Society Annual Meeting, ACS, San Francisco, California, April, 2017.
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I. Soltani, R. J. Spontak, " Investigating dynamic mechanical properties of inventive polyvinylacetate clay nanocomposites with improved gas barrier properties", American Chemical Society Annual Meeting, ACS, San Francisco, California, April, 2017.
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I. Soltani, R. J. Spontak, "Novel Polymer Nanocomposites Resulted from Melt Processing of Polystyrene-Based Substrates Coated with Layer-by-Layer Assemblies", American Physical Society Annual Meeting, APS, Baltimore, Maryland, March, 2016 (Orally Presented).
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I. Soltani, R. J. Spontak, "Morphology and Transport Properties of Novel Polymer Nanocomposites Resulted from Melt Processing of Poly (Vinyl Acetate) Substrates Coated with Layer-by-Layer Assemblies ", American Physical Society Annual Meeting, APS, Baltimore, Maryland, March, 2016.
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M. E. Zeynali, A. A. Yousefi, I. Soltani, "Toughening of Glass Fiber Reinforced Nylon 66 with EPDM-MAH: A Rheological Approach", at Proceedings of 9th International Seminar on Polymer Science and Technology, ISPST 2009, Tehran, Iran, October 17-21, 2009.
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I. Soltani, M. E. Zeynali, "The Role of Diffusion on Catalyst Design for Dehydrogenation of Di-Ethyl Benzene", at Proceedings of 5th International Conference on Diffusion in Solids and Liquids, DSL 2009, Rome, Italy, June 24-26, 2009, (Orally Presented).
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A. A. Yousefi, M. E. Zeynali, I. Soltani, "Rheological and Thermomechanical Properties of Nylon66/EPDM/short glass fiber composites", at Proceedings of Polymer Processing Society 22nd Annual Meeting, Yamagata, Japan, July 2-6, 2006.