Nick Duff Email & Phone Number

Louisville, Ky, Us

Leadership & Business Development• Led and provided leadership for the company's management, clients, and sales teams; directed all business and product development activities.Invention & PatentCo-Inventor: US 10,738,020 B2 and US 10,815,209 B1 - Ethylene Oxide Recovery and Recycling Process:• We developed a groundbreaking process that recovers and recycles over 99.5% of ethylene oxide (EO) after sterilization. This process significantly reduces waste and improves efficiency. Additionally, We have designed a system that recycles exhausted EO, maximizing its utilization and reducing on-site storage requirements, feedstock, and mitigation costs.• By utilizing the unique properties of EO, such as its condensation temperature, We have successfully separated and recycled it from other gases in the sterilization solution, including nitrogen, oxygen, CO2, water, and other trace elements.• Granted Patents in South Africa and Australia.Engineering• Delivered Engineering Consulting services, including Mechanical Simulation, Analysis, and design utilizing Autodesk CFD, Autodesk Nastran FEA, and Simscale CFD and FEA applications.• Developed 3D models and drawings using Autodesk Inventor, Fusion 360, and AutoCAD 2024.

Louisville, Ky, Us

Mechanical Engineer, Simulation LeadLeadership & Technical Direction• As a respected leader, I provided invaluable guidance to company management and our clients while supporting the simulation engineering projects and sales and marketing teams.• I developed and provided Autodesk clients with tailored Simulation and Analysis services (CFD and FEA).Simulation Proposal Performance Improvement• Collaborated closely with sales, improving simulation proposal performance by 100% ($250,000) YoY.• Delivered engineering analysis services using Autodesk Nastran finite element analysis (FEA) and Autodesk Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).Subject Matter Expertise (SME)• Delivered exceptional expertise in simulation specializations, assisting clients in optimizing their engineering processes.Collaboration with Sales• Achieved a 4.60/5.0 (2nd) rating in the "Working with Sales Survey" and exceeded the monthly average utilization goal with 248 hours.Mechanical Simulation Training• During the past 5 years, I have had the privilege of training 776 engineers and designers in 97 different classes. The subjects I taught were product development, simulation-driven design using Autodesk Nastran (FEA), Autodesk Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), and Autodesk Inventor and Fusion 360.• The aim of these was to enhance the skills and knowledge of students and deliver continuing education credits (CED).Autodesk University 2016 Speaker:• Delivered insights on structural failure analysis and physical testing correlation, utilizing FEA simulation and physical testing to optimize and validate designs.

Chicago Heights, Illinois, Us

Engineering ManagerLeadership and Technical Direction in Engineering Management• Led and supervised a team of 4-6 engineers and designers, providing technical guidance for company management and the engineering department.• Directed product development efforts, assigned tasks, managed performance, set goals, and coordinated with teams and partners.• Developed expertise in vacuum technology, Skid Mounted Equipment for oil refining systems, and ASME Pressure Vessels for ethylene oxide sterilizers.Developed SOP and Provided training for Vacuum Testing that included thermal, structural, and operational Testing.Key Accomplishments:• Implemented design for manufacturability and continuous improvement techniques to enhance product quality and reduce manufacturing costs.• I worked with the sales team to provide accurate cost estimates for quote inquiries.• Established and enforced Engineering Departmental Processes and operations to ensure compliance with ASME, NES, and UL Codes and Standards. Prepared ASME Section VIII and B31.3 code calculations, fluid flow analyses, and pump sizing reports.• Fostered collaboration between project management and engineering for the successful execution of early-phase projects.• Developed and analyzed project budgets to align with forecast needs and monitored conformance to contracts and costs for proposals.• We implemented lean assembly processes to enhance productivity and efficiency within our organization

Bethesda, Md, Us

Expertise in Structural Analysis and Finite Element Modeling• Performed structural analysis on components and assemblies using ANSYS 14.5 and FEMAP with Nastran 10 for Finite Element Modeling (FEM/FEA) to ensure design integrity and reliability.• Performed analytical modeling using Mathcad 14 and MS Excel 2010, combining hand calculations with computational methods to verify results.Streamlined the design process and enhanced collaboration using CATIA V5 R22 and AutoCAD 2008.Key Technical Focus Areas:• Using ANSYS 14.5 and analytical modeling, conducted structural analysis of fiber-reinforced composites and composite honeycomb panels to optimize material selection and design.• Performed linear, non-linear, and significant displacement/plasticity analyses and contact analyses to provide comprehensive insights into component performance under various conditions.Documentation and Reporting:• Ensured compliance with industry regulations and safety standards by authoring airworthiness substantiation documents and issuing periodic technical reports and presentations to communicate project progress and results to stakeholders and team members.

Webster, Tx, Us

Mechanical Design EngineerInnovative Solutions in Analytical Instrumentation and Membrane Separation TechnologyMS/GC Integration Project:• Led a multidisciplinary team to integrate a miniature mass spectrometer (MS) and miniature gas chromatograph (GC), streamlining the analytical process and enhancing efficiency.• Designed a prototype system using Solidworks 2012, incorporating a vacuum chamber, heated GC vacuum inlet, and prototype thermal management system (400C max temperature).• Developed a thermal management system to control heat flow, improving detector operations and preventing electrical system damage through prototype testing and digital prototype development.Membrane Separation Project:• Spearheaded the design and development of membrane separation technology, focusing on analyzing and testing Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane performance for improvement and corrective action.• Analyzed test data and created an improved separation design, resulting in a 50% increase in performance and demonstrating the effectiveness of the membrane technology.Through these projects, I have proven my ability to lead teams in creating innovative solutions for the analytical instrumentation and membrane separation industries. My expertise in design, analysis, and testing ensures the development of high-performance systems that meet the needs of various applications.

Columbus, Indiana, Us

Mechanical Development EngineerSix Sigma Project "NOx Sampling Probe":• Managed and executed physical testing of a prototype NOx sampling probe for a Six Sigma failure prevention project, identifying and eliminating the failure mode through data analysis and design modification.• Utilized Pro Engineer Wildfire 5 for design modification and collaborated with contract manufacturers to implement Design for Manufacturability (DFM), ensuring simplicity of assembly.• Improved the sampling performance of the probe by 20%, eliminated the failure mode, and achieved annualized savings of $1.5 million by reducing warranty claims.Aftertreatment Testing:• Prepared and executed engine and test rig validation testing for advanced aftertreatment components and arrangements in a concurrent engineering environment, ensuring the efficacy of innovative solutions.• Conducted an analysis-led evaluation of test data to determine the intrinsic benefits of technological advances, guiding the development of cutting-edge after-treatment systems.• Summarized evaluations and conclusions, effectively communicating them through technical presentations during design reviews, fostering collaboration and informed decision-making.Through these projects, I have demonstrated my expertise in Six Sigma methodologies, failure prevention, and aftertreatment testing. My ability to analyze data, improve designs, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams ensures the development of efficient and reliable systems that meet industry needs.

Louisville, Ky, Us

Micro-Diaphragm Positive Displacement Pump Project Led, designed, constructed, and tested a Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) --based microfluidic pump with optically induced membrane actuation. Additionally, designed photo masks using AutoCAD. The membrane consists of a layer of PDMS (100 µm) and a layer of carbon nanotubes (190 nm).• Pump performance in terms of pressure head and flow rate is a significant improvement over currently available pump design.Dielectrophoretic Precipitation of Airborne Particles ProjectManaged, led, designed, and performed experimental and numerical (FEA) modeling studies of particle separation from a dynamic gas stream using a dielectrophoretic force that showed that dielectrophoresis is a suitable mechanism for the filtration of a particulate matter from a laden gas stream.• First known uses of dielectrophoresis as the sole force resulting in particle removal. This device was designed using micro-fabrication techniques.

Product Development ProjectsDesigned prototypes of various air pollution control systems and equipment to meet customer and EPA specification using Autodesk Inventor software. Additionally, performed design for manufacturability (DFM/DFA) studies to insure ease of manufacture.The types of systems designed include:• Oil mist collector• Portable gas scrubber• Composite pressure vessels and piping systems using A.S.M.E. Code section 10 and 31.3.Turn Key Project Designed air pollution control systems and equipment to meet EPA specification using AutoCAD 2007 for the integration of bag house equipment into a cement manufacturing plant.• Required field measurements• Installation planning • Equipment modification for retrofitting with current facility equipment.

Us

Commercial Building ProjectsDesigned variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system “City of New Albany Scribner Place YMCA and Aquatics Center”; this is an 82,000 square foot facility. Additionally, Managed, led and designed numerous banks and office building HVAC and plumbing systems. • Analyzing the building and adjoining Nat aquarium with Trane Trace 700 to determine the thermal loading characteristics for selecting and sizing of the HVAC equipment, including cooling/heating coil selection and designing the ducting system to conform to local building codes.• Selecting and sizing the HVAC and plumbing systems. • Performed construction administration (construction inspection) tasks that included ensuring compliance with construction drawings, specifications, and local building codes.Health Care Facilities ProjectsDesigned mechanical systems for the hospital pharmacy department, infectious disease isolation areas using Trane Trace 700, and AutoCAD software.

Developed drafting procedure, and CAD standards to improve the product line of existing and prototype speaker designs using Pro Engineer, and AutoCAD software.

Developed standard designs of vapor recovery equipment in-house for the first time. This equipment was designed to be installed, operated and shipped in a 20 ft. by 10 ft. structural skid. • The vapor recovery equipment included: • Pressure vessels • Piping, and structural steel assemblies • Active carbon bed pressure vessels, vacuum and liquid pumps, absorber tower, tube, shell heat exchanger, and other equipment.• Supervise construction to ensure conformity to construction drawings, specifications, and ASME codes.

Master Of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor Of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Associate Of Applied Science, Architectural Computer Aided Design Drafting