Brett Brotherson Email & Phone Number

Wilmington, DE, US

Wilmington, Delaware, United States

• Manager of Solenis’ Tissue Innovation Center globally developing and growing innovative products, processes, and collaborative work with our customers and suppliers. R&D manager specializing in global collaboration.
• Developed, implemented, and managed development plan and value-creation metrics for Tissue Innovation Center demonstrating value the center provides and expanding global service and utilization.
• Expanded customer awareness and utilization of Tissue Innovation Center resulting in increased business
• Leading R&D project to improve chemical application methods, equipment, and approaches, across Solenis’ industrial portfolio, to provide increased customer value at lower cost.
• Implemented new safety protocols to improve the safety of the center employees

Neenah, Wisconsin

Senior researcher in the consumer products papermaking platform R&D team supporting new product/process innovation and development, advanced process engineering and troubleshooting, and chemistry and additives business support. Subject matter expert and technical lead in the areas of coating and creping, wet end chemistry, and chemical application. R&D.

Greater Chicago Area

Research engineer responsible for innovation, product/process development, and technical support for the Pulp and Paper business team. Subject matter expert and technical lead in the areas of mixing, retention and drainage, chemical application, surface and colloid chemistry, and polymer chemistry. Supported papermaking, mining, and water business groups.

Greater Chicago Area

• Co-Invented Online Real-time Monitoring Method for Contaminate Identification and Classification:
• Developed differentiated technique for real time online identification and classification of contaminants in recycled paper furnishes using fluorescence image analysis (United States Patent 9,562,861)Online Real Time.
• Improved proprietary online image analysis equipment and software for monitoring, and simulating flocculation and additive performance in real time providing new insight into floc formation and degradation and the.
• Developed makedown (conversion of polymer to applicable form) equipment which is currently the recommended equipment for pulp and paper applications worldwide
• Developed makedown and handling best practices that have been implemented worldwide in Nalco’s papermaking businessSales and Customer Support:
• Actively conducted support to find solutions for industrial problems identified by Nalco’s sales force and customers on demand (20% of total time)

Greater Atlanta Area

The Institute of Paper Science and Technology was merged with Georgia Institute of Technology. Dr. Yulin Deng joined the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE) department. Brett became co-advised by Dr. Deng and Dr. Pete Ludovoice. He then fulfilled all of the doctoral coursework for both institutions.Thesis: Site Blocking Effects on Adsorbed.

Greater Atlanta Area

• Developed method to modify atomic force microscopy (AFM) procedures and probes to analyze the adsorption conformation of polymer molecules under varying conditions (AFM, focused ion beam milling (FIB), scanning.
• Developed new approach to AFM single molecule pulling experiments and data analysis allowing information on polymer free tail length to be compared under different conditions
• Developed expertise in polymer and colloid characterization and AFM (chromatography, rheological, mechanical, and optical)
• Performed dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations of polymer systems
• Developed expertise in dynamic and static light scattering (DLS and SLS) techniques for polymeric and colloidal systems
• Assisted with and taught portions of papermaking wet-end chemistry graduate course and polymer processing lab undergraduate course as a teaching assistant

Stanger Area, South Africa

• Surveyed the wet end chemistry on a coated paper machine, evaluated current chemical addition scheme and points and recommended improvements and best RDF program to reduce chemical costs while maintaining or improving.
• Investigated causes of high water resistance additive usage (machine optimization)
• Made recommendations and implemented process changes to quality control testing to ensure accuracy and relevance of results

Valkeakoski, Finland

• Investigated the colloidal stability of pitch and its deposition tendencies in different mechanical pulps

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Investigated the effect of different polymer additives in pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) to increase the screenability of those adhesives during recycling

Greater Atlanta Area

• Completed a preliminary investigation of a novel polymer technique to increase the screenability of PSA during recycling
• Developed method for Instron tensile testing of thin adhesive films

Sartell, MN

• Designed and implemented machine sewer loss reduction initiative on the coated paper machine identifying variability and sources of increase sewer flow
• Coordinated and optimized the camera/video system on the coated paper machine for break detection and cause identification
• Evaluated and quantified the extent of couch roll corrosion and wear for use in determining remaining roll life
• Evaluated/validated machine shower water heat exchanger to ensure safe operation for employees

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Wrote proposal, received grant, and researched scale formation and the mechanisms of scale inhibitors in Kraft digesters and evaporators

Tomahawk, WI

• Developed and implemented new cost efficient proprietary test for checking quality of digester runs
• Responsible for daily quality control testing and reporting

Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

• Conducted laboratory experiments in pulping and recycling

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Chemical And Biomolecular Engineering

Activities and Societies: American Chemical Society TAPPI PIMA Thesis: Site Blocking Effects on Adsorbed Polyacrylamide Conformation.

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Paper Science And Engineering

Activities and Societies: TAPPI/PIMA Pulp and Paper Manufacturing