Norman Wong Email & Phone Number

Responsible for building, and mentoring a high performance R&D team. Broadened internal technical knowledge and fostered the growth of team members into subject matter experts. Directly involved in expansion of laboratory from initial start-up capability into a future-proofed, state-of-the-art laboratory equipped to perform in-house characterization of materials and water analysis. Guided development of experiments based on data and science into high impact projects, directly resulting in 4+ filed and accepted patents in multiple jurisdictions.Supported commissioning of an internal manufacturing line with initial production, in batch, at the 20+ kg scale. The resulting team successfully carried out production of 500+ kg of product, and delivered 150+ kg to the field for various projects. Constructed and guided development of internal QA\QC program and database to rapidly assess quality of manufactured products. This enabled expeditious identification of suitable formulations and deployment on the manufacturing line to produce consistent, high-performance materials. Assisted with technical knowledge in transition from the batch to semi-batch process toward a continuous process at target 100+ kg/day manufacturing rate. Supported, cultivated, and encouraged expansion of the internal safety program and policies. Resulted in successful achievement of COR certification (2022) and pass marks in a follow-up audit (2023). Involved in budgeting, and time management of projects. Supported career development initiatives for team. Helped guide strategic direction of company as a subject-matter expert. Provide technical insight and knowledge to internal, non-technical teams to support their roles.

Responsible for development and evaluation of lithium selective adsorbents and processes for utilization therein. Identified new formulation resulting in a 5-fold increase in performance. Performed scale-up of formulation from benchscale (<500 g) to multi-kilogram for pre-pilot scale testing. Helped establish process (from brine extraction to lithium carbonate formation) with a collaborative team (e.g. engineering, lab specialist). Successfully validated process via third party testing, demonstrating >90% recovery of lithium through the full process. Involved in development of field pilot, including design, participation in hazops, commissioning, and operation prior to deployment.

Carried out R&D of lithium extraction technologies and wastewater treatment processes. Involved in product scale-up, on-site testing and commissioning of equipment. Responsible for maintenance of lab facility, supplies, safety program and chemical feedstock supply chain. Trained and developed staff to perform routine analyses and assist with R&D program.

Performed R&D work on projects in the fields of water remediation and mineral (lithium) extraction for potential clients.Assisted with construction and commissioning of pilot-scale water treatment units.

Assisted course instructor with coaching, mentoring of graduate student teaching assistants. Lead/instructed undergraduate students in small laboratory courses (up to 20 students per session). Assisted in invigilation and marking of exams.Provided feedback on student and teaching assistant performance.

Investigated organosulfonate and phosphonate Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for potential application as fuel cell electrolytes (proton/ion conduction). Designed and initiated projects independently as well as with collaborators furthering potential applications of MOFs. Promoted to lead teaching assistant in 2015, providing guidance to new graduate students.

Sample Login: reception and login of samples from clients, assignment of sample analyses to respective laboratory sections. Inorganic Soil Analyst: performed sample analyses, adherence to laboratory quality control standards (i.e. ISO/IEC 17025), calibration of departmental equipment.