Brian Stepp Email & Phone Number

Houston, Tx, Us

Greater Houston

Greater Houston

Greater Phoenix Area

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) - With a team of process, equipment, and design engineers, enabled customers to reach technical, quality, and productivity targets for the high-volume manufacture (HVM) of semiconductor devices by developing robust processes for new chemical precursors, improving existing thin-film deposition processes, and qualifying hardware for new product initiatives (NPI) and continuous process improvements (CPI). Responsible for ownership of ALD platform with 4 shared reactors, thin-film analysis, design of experiments (DoE), and preparation of technical reports.ACHIEVEMENTS• Improved properties of a novel dipole film through screening process variables, allowing fabrication of devices employing these unique films and assessment of their desired electrical properties• Planned and directed demonstrations of technical capabilities that improved customer confidence and resulted in stronger joint development programs and new tool purchases• Qualified new chamber materials permitting the company to deliver 15 chambers on schedule with reduced costs• Mentored and trained 5 junior engineers leading to knowledgeable and effective team members

Greater Phoenix Area

Technical Program Management - Led development and continuous improvement of atomic layer deposition (ALD) hardware including high vacuum platform and modules for pretreatment and deposition of metal oxide films. Coordinated the efforts of a cross-functional team composed of engineering, manufacturing, and customer support, while meeting tight deadlines, managing project costs, and adapting to changing priorities.ACHIEVEMENTS• Enabled first customer site qualification of hardware for deposition of quinary metal oxide films • Headed project that improved wafer throughput by 30%• Negotiated 25% savings on ozone generating hardware

Charlotte, North Carolina Area

Development of polymers and automated manufacturing processes for high-volume production of polymer membranes used in batteries and medical devices. Led projects focused on materials scouting and feasibility, equipment selection, installation, and continuous improvements. Planned and organized internal and external trials, including materials, procedures, scheduling, and costs. Used science-based decisions and statistical methods such as Statistical Process Control (SPC) and Design of Experiments (DoE) to determine root causes, implement improvements, and establish robust processes. Responsible for product stewardship and regulatory compliance with standards such as FDA, REACH, and RoHS.ACHIEVEMENTS• Developed several new polymer formulations and process improvements – issued and filed patents (US10777800, WO2019217797A1, WO2020060886A1, WO2018217990A1, EP3535792A1, WO2019217791A2)• Established machine requirements, inputs, and outputs through a series of DoEs, selected equipment suppliers, and secured funding for a multi-million-dollar production line with enhanced capability and throughput

Monroeville, Pa

Design and synthesis of photochromic dyes and hydrogel polymers in collaboration with a cross-functional team. Owned lab analytical tools comprising flash chromatography, HPLC, and GC/MS equipment, with responsibilities that included test method development, data analysis, and maintenance. Monitored competitive technologies while contributing to the group’s intellectual property.ACHIEVEMENTS• Succeeded in the synthesis of a new material technology that resulted in 14 newly created dyes and granted patent (US10501477)• Jumpstarted a group effort to streamline computational, synthetic, and physical property databases; providing a more accessible system for data analysis and earned a recognition award for extended extra effort• Contributing member of a joint venture team that achieved FDA clearance and recently commercialized photochromic contact lenses

Pittsburgh, Pa

Drafted patent applications based on conception record forms (CRF). Aided in the litigation of infringement and patent defense cases in multiple areas of chemistry and materials science, including polymers, catalysts, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and nanomaterials. Provided direct instruction and education to clients and staff on chemistry matters/knowledge. Performed searches for competitive analyses for freedom to operate (FTO) and to determine novelty of inventions.ACHIEVEMENTS• Prepared and filed 30+ patents both domestically and internationally• Served as subject-matter-expert (SME) regarding chemistry and materials science for team of 6+ attorneys

Boulder, Co

Conducted research and development on an independent project spanning two continental locations and laboratories (Boulder, Colorado and Prague, Czech Republic). Collaborated with university and national laboratory colleagues on the excited-state calculation of covalently linked chromophores and the design and characterization of singlet fission dyes geared towards solar cell applications. ACHIEVEMENTS• Led calculations of physical properties for individual dyes• Created thin-films of chromophores using PVD and determined their photophysical properties• Restored and maintained an electron energy loss spectrometer (EELS), including the encompassing ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chamber and its components

Prague, The Capital, Czech Republic

Conducted research and development on an independent project spanning two continental locations and laboratories (Boulder, Colorado and Prague, Czech Republic). Collaborated with university and national laboratory colleagues on the excited-state calculation of covalently linked chromophores and the design and characterization of singlet fission dyes.ACHIEVEMENTS• Project lead/developer in the design of new dyes geared towards solar applications. Led calculations of physical properties for individual dyes• Synthesized target chromophores and determined their photophysical and electrochemical properties

Evanston, Il

Synthesized and characterized electrochemically polymerizable thin-films for potential electrochromic and field-effect transistor (FET) applications, and polymer nanoparticles for biodiagnostics. Mentored 7+ undergraduates including managing individual projects, performing evaluations, and supporting career development.ACHIEVEMENTS• Acquired funding for and developed a shared-use bio-synthesis and characterization facility with capabilities that included DNA and protein synthesis, HPLC purification, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy• Designed and synthesized fluorescent/redox-active polymer nanoparticles with surface-bound oligonucleotides for self-amplified gene detection applications

Morrilton, Ar

Worked with outside vendors and production crew to develop and monitor the progress of mill trials relating to paper additives and waste treatment.ACHIEVEMENTS• Managed the design, purchase, and installation of equipment for a new unit process• Established and maintained an automated database used for data retrieval from numerous process-line flow meters and the generation of daily reports with real-time material usage statistics