David Darwin, Phd, Mba, Leed Ap Email & Phone Number

Alexandria, Va, Us

I am appointed as a Program Director at the National Science Foundation (NSF) in the Division of Innovation and Technology Ecosystems (ITE) which is in the Directorate of Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP). The CHIPS and Science Act established ten emerging technology areas to be given research emphasis. I am working in the area of advanced materials program development. Advanced materials are taken broadly, ranging from sustainable raw materials inputs, highly enhanced versions of materials currently in use, and the newest potential materials innovations in areas such as polymers, electrical and mechanical materials, semiconductors and optoelectronics.A principal concept of NSF TIP/ITE is to overcome knowledge barriers that will enable emerging technologies. NSF TIP/ITE develops funding solicitations to sponsor fundamental research that is open to all and will enable emerging technologies to serve society. These solicitations can be fully US Government funded or can be the result of public-private partnerships engaging companies ranging from startups to the largest of companies.All areas of NSF are able to be complemented by TIP/ITE. In my focus on advanced materials, I am collaborating with Chemistry, Materials, Physics, Bio, Engineering, and Computational Divisions within NSF.My current appointment with NSF is Temporary. I will work to get as much accomplished as I can on behalf of the US taxpayer during my time at NSF.

Alpharetta, Georgia, Us

Research program management, invention, and move to market of new cement and concrete admixture technologies. Broadband technical and business solutions to address the effects of inflation on chemical formulations and raw materials.

Atlanta, Georgia, Us

I provided technical direction to support innovation and business growth of dry mixed cementitious compositions of Sakrete branded concrete mixes and Amerimix branded mortars. I strived to lead and grow talented groups of people engaged in quality control, technical service, and R&D/New Product Development. The goals were to deliver value and lead consumers utilizing Sakrete and Amerimix products to success in their home and commercial construction projects.

I perform consulting activities in the areas of cement and concrete, building materials, personal care ingredients, general industrial chemistries and market trends. Intellectual property is examined and often new art is created. Business cases are analyzed and valued. These engagements are defined per project and range from research work summarized into reports, to onsite presentations with interactive consultative dialogue involving technical and commercial personnel, to concept trials in manufacturing plants. Client confidentiality is often protected under non-disclosure agreements (NDA). This enterprise is a business actively run only when I am not engaged in full-time employment.

Tampa, Florida, Us

Research and Development at the Mosaic Company focuses on chemistries, processes, new product development, and EH&S initiatives. In Florida Operations, Mosaic is driven by high quality and economically efficient production of nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium fertilizers. On the phosphate side, this results in an emphasis in the entire process from calcium phosphate rock mining and land restoration, sulfuric and phosphoric acid production, and granulation of ammonium phosphates into fertilizer products. Along the way in this process, various by-products, water cycles, and energy cogeneration and utilization are optimized. I lead a team of professionals working across broad disciplinary areas mainly involving inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, applied agronomy, and chemical engineering.

I performed fundamental chemicals and materials, application, and market research for inorganic materials associated with steel manufacturing and steel mills. Materials of interest includes slag, iron, steel, and refractory brick. Applications included cement manufacture, supplementary cementitious materials, agriculture, magnetics, and abrasives. I designed processes in the areas of separation of recycled chemical streams from steel processes.On the business development side, I sourced market outlets for steel mill co-products. When I analyzed the markets for potential profitability, I identified the major players in the regions where we had the materials available. I approached the prospects by networking and cold calling. When a suitable partner showed interest, I negotiated and appropriate agreement (joint research, non-disclosure, sourcing exclusivity, sales and marketing compensation or commission agreements, etc.). For potential new products in concert with these partners, I worked to derive the product attributes, documentation, and specifications that satisfied the market.I also worked significantly on the scouting and innovation aspects of how new technical advances in the steel industry would affect the Levy Company businesses. These areas included impact of Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) raw material inputs into the supply chain, new iron rich raw material sources from the Minnesota iron range, and expanded market applications for slag aggregates in portland cement concrete and asphalt pavement concretes.

Fairfield, New Jersey, Us

I was fortunate to join the management team of Hycrete Technologies, later Hycrete, Inc., at an early stage in its venture capital funding lifecycle. The Hycrete corrosion inhibiting and waterproofing technology had been invented and had significant academic and DOT testing in progress. I was able to make cross-functional contributions to strategic technical and business progress of the company.The initial challenge was to build an R&D laboratory and team from scratch. We converted a locker room into a lab and started to develop the technical base for the product. I also took responsibility for assessing and managing the intellectual property portfolio with respect to US and global patent protection.The major initiatives for the company were in the area of high growth focused sales and marketing efforts. The research group I led performed internal product development and quality manufacturing research and development. These efforts, along with management of significant resources provided by the investors, state DOT's and universities, and the two multi-million dollar US Army Corps of Engineers grants, were able to generate a substantial base of thousands of pages of highly technical data that are used today to guide usage of the product lines.I was also able to lead work on the broadening of the Hycrete technologies into concrete surface coatings, corrosion protection of metals in engines and boiler systems, and wood preservation. Synthetic organic chemistry modifications of Hycrete's surfactant properties were key to the successes in this area. Quality system implementation efforts were also an important contribution. NSF 61 approval for potable water applications and EN Certification leading to a CE Mark were achieved.

University Park, Il, Us

Avatar manufactures food, pharmaceutical, and personal care ingredients. Processing operations allowed for the custom production of mineral oils, petrolatums, and formulations serving these industries in areas such as excipients, release agents, food grade lubricants and many others. The production facility is FDA registered and conforms to cGMP.I joined as Vice President of Marketing. The small nature of the company would allow me to utilize my skills in chemical formulations and my MBA to serve a diverse customer base seeking value in these highly purity regulated chemicals.In Marketing, I managed staff and external vendors in the production of an entire website revamp, search engine optimization and pay per click advertising, and marketing collateral. Strategic marketing plans were developed and disseminated to the direct and distributor sales force for rapid implementation.In technology, I developed formulations using bases of mineral oils, waxes, petrolatums, vegetable oils, glycerin and FDA GRAS and CFR allowed ingredients as appropriate for the market. The formulations were developed from a voice of the customer perspective using personal interactions with the markets and internal raw material and manufacturing cost bases to define viability of a new product offering.

Columbia, Maryland, Us

I was fortunate to join the corporate Research Division of WR Grace immediately after earning my Ph.D.. At the time, Grace was a $6B, Fortune 100 company and had assembled a world class research team at a campus setting in Columbia, Maryland. This environment allowed scientists to explore long term, technical venture areas with the potential to create paradigm changes within the company and the industries Grace served.I first joined a construction materials chemistry group as a Research Chemist and was charged to investigate the mechanism of action of cement dispersant polymer surfactants known at the time. Through designed macromolecular organic polymer synthesis efforts, I invented a novel way to systematically vary the structure and properties of polycarboxylate polyol ether, "comb superplasticizer", dispersants at the nanoscale level. This work led to a revolutionary improvement in concrete performance and cost performance. The team grew to large numbers of cross-functional contributors in areas of scale-up manufacture, marketing, technical service trials and sales. I was fortunate to be a central player and technical leader in all of these areas. The product became the Grace ADVA line of high range water reduction admixtures. I earned 10 US Patents on this technology.I was promoted to Technical Service Manager for the Grace Davison business area of silicas and zeolite adsorbents. In this role, I managed a group of engineers and technicians to serve the areas of insulating glass, oil and gas, and general moisture desiccants. I was the technical expert and interface between Grace Davison and the insulating glass and refrigeration industries. I also led an applications development program in the area of silica gel based coatings for the ink jet paper industry.

Ph.D., Chemistry

Mba, Finance

B.A., Integrated Science And Chemistry

High School Diploma, College/University Preparatory And Advanced High School/Secondary Diploma Program