Michael Close Email & Phone Number

Durham, NC, US

Hickory, North Carolina, United States

Managing product development, analytical, physical and applications laboratories to support corporate initiatives.Managing series of Capex projects.

Durham, NC

• Led the development/delivery of a robotic assembly process with automated cutting system for catalyst modules. Reduced labor by 6 operators.
• Leader for integration of recycled catalyst in new products. Savings exceeded $1M/year.
• Developed/delivered new non-catalytic adhesive product from idea to full commercialization. Cost savings, $1.2M over 3 years.
• Led the development and implementation of two cutting systems for production in two facilities. Improved safety, product quality and efficiency. Provided 50% more cutting capacity for standard catalyst geometries and.

Durham, NC

• Led the development/delivery of new catalyst product and process to increase performance and lower costs. Cost savings exceeded $1M.
• Led the development of a new catalyst product from laboratory testing to full commercialization that allowed penetration into a new market.
• Created regression models for key raw ingredient that predicted batch properties to eliminate 50% of testing.
• Developed/delivered new stabilization chemistry and process for activating Hg oxidation catalyst. Key enabler for this product type.
• As SME for TiO2, worked as the co-lead with purchasing director to manage TiO2 strategy for organization.

Durham, NC

• Developed/delivered an automated mercury oxidation micro reactor for new catalyst development. Provided new capability and 24-hour unattended operation for paid contract work and more rapid Hg mercury oxidation.
• Develop new models for catalyst deactivation for updated product specifications and product guarantees.

Durham NC

• Focused on meeting internal (sales/marketing, production, quality, research and development) and external customer expectations with 18 scientists/technicians. Laboratory capabilities include multiple pilot, bench and.
• Converted laboratory to profit center and exceeded contract projections by $200K in first year. Consistently above target for later years.
• Developed/delivered/qualified a bench scale reactor (1/4th size) with HMI automation. Increased testing capacity by 50%.
• Led the development of new 4 channel catalytic micro reactor (1/8th size). Increased capacity in laboratory by 100%
• Ion Chromatography method improvement. Lowered analysis time from 10 to 6 minutes.
• Developed IC method for sulfur oxides. Reduced testing time from 20 to 8-minute analysis.

Durham, NC

Developed new product feature that improved product performance by 5% resulting in >$1,000K savings/year.

Durham, NC

Led the development of baseline protocols for new XRF equipment for all product types and chemistries. 3-month payback.

West Jordan, Utah

• Responsible for all aspects of analytical/research laboratory supporting corporate research and production worldwide in commercial emulsion and molecular explosives.
• Developed new rheological method that decreased testing time from 1-2 months to 5 minutes.
• Developed new perchlorate-based explosive for seismic studies.
• Working with senior management led and delivered a corporate-wide Stage-Gate (product/process development) process.
• Developed series of methodologies in HPLC, image analysis, rheology, electrical impedance to improve material characterization and process efficiency.
• Formally trained in statistical DOE (Design of Experiments) and SPC (Statistical Process Control)

Morgantown, WV

o Department of Energy funded collaboration between the WVU Chemistry and Chemical Engineering departments and Union Carbide Corporation. o Initiated, developed and delivered catalytic materials related to the synthesis and characterization of sulfur resilient molybdenum-based catalysts for use in synthesis gas (H2, CO) conversion to higher alcohols. o.

North Ogden, Utah, United States

• Developed and evaluated energetic properties of emulsion-based explosives and propellants based on a proprietary anhydrous inorganic salt technology,
• Led and completed the development of new waterproof explosive for Navy SBIR.
• Let and completed a study of the fundamental properties influencing emulsion stability for Air Force SBIR.

Ph.D., Inorganic Chemistry

Activities and Societies: American Chemical Society; Materials Research Society; Teaching Excellence Award; Lead for student sponsored.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Chemistry

Activities and Societies: VP College Fraternity; Paid way through college teaching guitar and various other jobs. Senior project.