EDWARD W. DAVIS
Assistant Research Professor
115 Textile Building
Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849-5327
Phone: (334) 844-5471 Fax: (334) 844-4068
E-mail: ewdavis@eng.auburn.edu
Website: http://www.eng.auburn.edu/ewd0001/

EDUCATION

1996 - Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH

Dissertation Title - Controlled Release Devices From Polymerizable Microemulsions.

1993 - M.E., Chemical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

Thesis - Ability of Truncated Cones to Mitigate Coastal Erosion.

1990 - B.S.E., Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA

EXPERIENCE

2007 - Present: Assistant Research Faculty, Polymer and Fiber Engineering, Auburn University

2005 - 2007: Quality Improvement Engineer, CSP Technologies, Auburn, AL

  • Lead quality improvement programs encompassing all areas of manufacturing. Identified needs and formulated action plans to improve manufacturing processes. Trained others in the use of statistical methods for analyzing data and planning experiments.

2000 - 2005: Senior Principal Research Engineer/Lab Manager, EVAL Company of America, Pasadena, TX

  • Procured and managed a $450,000 research budget for demonstrating recyclability of EVOH-PET multilayer bottles. Met project objectives while spending less than half of the budget. Received Post Consumer Plastics Recyclers (APR) Champions of Change award and two internal Special Recognition Awards for this work.
  • Selected and procured $1.5 MM of equipment to improve center capabilities and competiveness. Designed laboratory space for $8.5 MM technical center (opened April 2004).
  • Developed new production process for largest commercial product. Process will result in net savings of $4,000,000/year.
  • Supervised three laboratory technicians and developed their skills in PET and EVOH chemistry and processing, bottle testing, and time management.
  • Planned, executed and analyzed statistically designed experiment on the effects of injection and blow molding processing conditions on the delamination resistance of multilayer bottles.
  • Technical leader of the US PET/EVOH bottle development program. Developed active barrier, passive high barrier, and reduced de-lamination EVOH resins for PET applications.
  • Evaluated competing technologies and participated in licensing discussions for oxygen scavenging technologies.
  • Primary technical contact for EVALCA's largest bottle customer. Provided customers with technical information and training in EVOH, PET, injection molding and blow molding.
  • Presented research results in internal meetings, directly to customers, and at industry conferences and organizations.
  • Coordinated research on PP/EVOH regrind compatibilization.
  • Developed test methods for, and trained others on, laboratory equipment including a Kortec co-injection molding machine, a Sidel blow molding machine, a carbon dioxide transmission tester, a drop tester, and a thermal gravimetric analyzer.

1999 - 2000: Technical Support Representative, Shell Polyester Technical Center, Akron, OH

  • Provided technical assistance to customers using Shell Polyester products. Worked closely with sales to solve problems and improve customer satisfaction. Made recommendations to customers on resin choice and processing conditions.
  • Worked with plant to identify and remove sources of product contamination and improve product quality. Evaluated new products for technical viability.
  • Monitored market for trends and initiated development of new products as needed.

1997 - 1999: Researcher - Exploratory Research Group, Shell Research & Technical Center, LLN, Belgium

  • Evaluated how nanotechnology could be used to improve properties of Shell Polymers. This required understanding the chemistry, processing, property characterization, and commercial needs of multiple polymer businesses (polystyrenes, epoxy resins, polyesters and polyketones).
  • Produced five types of polymer nanoclay composites and evaluated properties.
  • Wrote literature reviews, performed polymer synthesis, processing and characterization and presented results. Developed low VOC (volatile organic compound) coatings containing nanoparticles. The improved properties of these coatings increased product sales.
  • Published three internal technical awareness bulletins in eighteen months compared to a norm of one bulletin per year. Published two internal research reports in nine months compared to an expectation of one report every eighteen months.
  • Advanced safety improvement efforts by benchmarking local laboratory practices against those of other Shell research labs. Supported environmental stewardship initiatives by evaluating the use of high shear polymer processing technologies for the in situ compatibilization of mixed polymer waste. This effort was in conjunction with a consortium consisting of five external organizations and professionals from six countries.
  • Supported division objectives for exchange and growth of knowledge by participating in the Polymer Structure and Performance Skill Group and attending meetings with the Basic and Exploratory Research Group at the Shell Research and Technology Center in Amsterdam.

TEACHING EXPERIANCE

  • Transport I Chemical Engineering core undergraduate course, Summer 2009 and 2010.
  • Polymer and Fiber Engineering Graduate Student SeminarGuest lecture on Design of Experiments for Chemical Engineering Section of Engineering 1110 at Auburn University, Spring 2006.
  • Developed training seminars on ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) manufacturing, chemistry, processing, and properties. Topics included injection molding, co-injection, reheat blow molding, extrusion blow molding and recycling.
  • Teaching Assistant for Process Lab, Plant Design, and Process Control at University of Akron, gave lectures, graded papers, and mentored students on projects and homework assignments.
  • Teaching Assistant for Reactor Design at Tulane University, graded homework and gave lectures.
  • Mathematics tutor for freshman with special needs. Weekly work enabled him to significantly improve his performance.
  • Tutor for chemical engineering football player. Provided one on one assistance in explaining material, particularly material covered in lectures he missed.

PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

1.       Ward, C. J., Song, S., Davis, E. W., “Controlled Release of Tetracycline-HCl from Halloysite – Polymer Composite Films,” Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, accepted 12/17/09.

2.       Radhakrishnan, V. K., Davis, E. W., Davis, V. A.,  “Influence of Intial Mixing Methods on Melt Extruded Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube-Polypropylene Nanocomposites,” Polymer Engineering and Science, accepted 12/8/09.

3.       Davis, E. W.; Mukkamala, R.; Cheung, H.M., “Effects of Precursor Composition on Pore Morphology for Thermally Polymerized Acrylic Acid, Methyl Methacrylate Based Microemulsions,” Langmuir 14(4) (1998) 762-767.

4.       Schmuhl, N.; Davis, E. W.; Cheung, H.M., “Morphology of Thermally Polymerized Microporous Polymer Materials Prepared from Methyl Methacrylate and 2-Hydroxethyl Methacrylate Microemulsions,” Langmuir 14(4) (1998) 757-761.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

  1. Davis, E., “Novel Production Method for SurbondTM Polymers,” Internal EVAL Company of America Research Report, 2005.
  2. Davis, E., Reynolds, S., “Bottle De-lamination Project Interim Report,” Internal EVAL Company of America Research Report, 2003.
  3. Davis, E. and Tiberghien, I., “Mechano-Chemistry of Mixed Plastic Waste Recycling,” April 1999.
  4. Davis, E, Slinckx, M. and Tiberghien I., “Nanocomposite Materials,” Technical Awareness Bulletin, Shell Basic and Exploratory Research, December 1998.
  5. Davis, E., Layered “Silicates for Enhanced Properties,” Technical Awareness Bulletin, Shell Basic and Exploratory Research, May 1998.
  6. Davis, E., “Effect of Clay Addition on the Thermal Stability of Cariverse,” Technical Awareness Bulletin, Shell Basic and Exploratory Research, April 1998.
  7. Davis, E, Slinckx, M. and Tiberghien, I., “Organic – Inorganic Nanocomposite Coatings Based on Latex / Sol Systems,” Shell International Chemicals B.V., October 1997.
  8. Davis E. and Krebs A., “Organo-ceramic Hybrid Coatings Based on Cardura E10 / Silica Systems,” Shell International Chemicals B.V., October 1997.

TECHNICAL PRESENTATIONS

  1. Davis, E. W., “EVALTM for PET Bottle Applications,” Proceedings of Nova-Pack Europe, Düsseldorf, Germany, September 2002.
  2. Davis, E. W., Bootsma B., “Recycling Studies of EVALTM – Commercial Recycling,” Proceedings of Nova-Pack Europe, Düsseldorf, Germany, September 19, 2001.
  3. Davis, E. W., “Recycling Studies of EVALTM – Recycling of PET Bottles Containing Oxygen Scavenging EVALTM,” Proceedings of Nova-Pack Americas, Orlando, FL, January 30, 2001.
  4. Davis, E. W.; Mukkamala, R.; Cheung, H. M., “Polymerized Microemulsions as Controlled Release Materials: Effects of the Release Environment,” presented at the 70th Colloid and Surface Science Symposium, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, June 16-19, 1996.
  5. Davis, E. W.; Mukkamala, R.; Cheung, H. M., “Polymerized Microemulsions as Controlled Release Materials: Effects of Precursor Microemulsion Composition,” presented at the 70th Colloid and Surface Science Symposium, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, June 16-19, 1996.
  6. Davis, E. W.; Khandavalli, K.; Cheung, H. M., “Characterization of Microemulsions via Dynamic Depolarized Light Scattering,” presented at the 26th Annual Meeting of the Fine Particle Society, Chicago, IL, August 25, 1995.