Olivia Lenz Email & Phone Number

Seattle, Washington, United States

Seattle, Washington, United States

- Wrote, awarded, and led a $1.3 M DOE SBIR Phase I & II grants for an in-line membrane quality control tool with collaboration from the National Renewable Energy Lab.- Initiated and led collaboration efforts with outside groups for new applications for Membrion's Ceramic Ion Exchange Membrane.- Developed projects for and mentored 6 Chemical Engineering Capstone groups with the University of Washington and Oregon State University. - Hired and mentored 9+ interns, creating projects… Show more - Wrote, awarded, and led a $1.3 M DOE SBIR Phase I & II grants for an in-line membrane quality control tool with collaboration from the National Renewable Energy Lab.- Initiated and led collaboration efforts with outside groups for new applications for Membrion's Ceramic Ion Exchange Membrane.- Developed projects for and mentored 6 Chemical Engineering Capstone groups with the University of Washington and Oregon State University. - Hired and mentored 9+ interns, creating projects and guiding intern work leading to go/no-go decisions for a number of company-wide business decisions.- Served as a reviewer for the NSF SBIR Program- Led an NSF SBIR Phase I project in response to Covid-19 pandemic, including hiring and management of a 3 person team.- Awarded 2 patents & have 1 patent pending covering ion-exchange membrane and resin development work. - Conducted deep & rapid literature reviews to aid in go/no-go decisions for the company in pursing new applications for Membrion's membranes.- Developed multiple new & existing quality control tests for consistent and reliable membrane data.- Integral to the scale up from a research-level membrane product (3.14 cm2) to pilot line product. - Solely responsible for the flow battery testing and troubleshooting using Membrion’s cation exchange membranes.- Created novel products to leverage new markets for the ion-exchange membrane product and in response to customer needs. Show less

Seattle, Washington, United States

Greater Seattle Area

Taught General Chemistry (lecture + labs) and a Faith & Science course in the University Honors Program.

- Developed a novel chemical synthesis for phase-pure iron pyrite and Fe2GeS4 nanocrystals for application in photovoltaics. - Independently developed a second project synthesizing WSe2 nanomaterials for catalysis of the hydrogen evolution reaction; initiated successful collaboration for this project with a group in UW Chemistry resulting in 2 first author papers.- Extensive synthesis and characterization work completed for both projects, with particular attention to surface… Show more - Developed a novel chemical synthesis for phase-pure iron pyrite and Fe2GeS4 nanocrystals for application in photovoltaics. - Independently developed a second project synthesizing WSe2 nanomaterials for catalysis of the hydrogen evolution reaction; initiated successful collaboration for this project with a group in UW Chemistry resulting in 2 first author papers.- Extensive synthesis and characterization work completed for both projects, with particular attention to surface characterization and structure-property relationships in the materials.- Mentored a number of women undergraduates, teaching research and lab skills. All are now employed or in graduate school. Show less

- Taught an integrated junior MSE lab section on powder processing by chemical routes.- Assisted in a Corrosion & Wear course, developed and taught a lecture on oxidation of materials.- Assisted in the MSE Senior Design Course, advising teams of undergraduates working on industry-related projects. - Assisted in a junior-level Materials Characterization course and freshman introductory materials science course.

- Characterized CIGS, CIS, and OPV solar cells under simulated AM0 conditions.- Tracked changes in CI(G)S cell performance with exposure to high electron radiation over time.

Rapidly learned about the use of durable water repellents in the outdoor industry and about risk factors to the company and environment associated with each technology- Effectively communicated what I learned to the rest of the team, majority of which were non-scientists.- Utilized patents and academic literature to learn of current DWR chemicals and technologies not yet commercialized.- Recommended a technology development strategy for Patagonia to shift away from current DWR… Show more Rapidly learned about the use of durable water repellents in the outdoor industry and about risk factors to the company and environment associated with each technology- Effectively communicated what I learned to the rest of the team, majority of which were non-scientists.- Utilized patents and academic literature to learn of current DWR chemicals and technologies not yet commercialized.- Recommended a technology development strategy for Patagonia to shift away from current DWR technologies and towards a more environmentally benign material through a written report. Show less

Worked in the Jonathan Owen Lab- Synthesized CdSe nanocrystals and carefully characterized the NC surfaces. - Developed method for exchanging surface ligands in simple silica column.

Characterized Fe2GeS4, FeS2, and WSe2 nanomaterials, fabricated thin films, and tested heterojunction solar cells with each material.

Analyzed iron pyrite thin films via photothermal deflection spectroscopy.

Created a solution synthesis method for production of PZT and ZnO nanowires for two independent energy scavenging devices.

Communicated information covering general and organic chemistry topics;Facilitated learning of chemistry ideas through written, verbal, and creative teaching techniques;Efficiently managed large groups of students.

Created a solution synthesis method for production of PZT nanowires for energy scavenging devices and a system for chemical bath deposition of CdTe and CdS thin films to develop a nanomaterial solar cell.

Investigated the growth of zinc oxide nanowires in a modified conventional microwave oven in microgravity via a flight with NASA's Reduced Gravity Flight program; one of three team members across the United States.- Project idea originator.- Successfully wrote a research proposal and gained grant funding.

Lead labs and conducted lecture reviews;Assisted professor with grading papers and providing educational feedback.

Investigated the mechanism of the interaction between garlic odor and stainless steel. - Transferred a class project into an independent research project.

Investigated the synthesis of phenylated azulene molecules through a novel route.

Systematically studied production of ZnO nanowires with high aspect ratios through hydrothermal synthesis in bulk quantities for use in energy scavenging applications.

Cheerfully welcomed visitors and connected them with appropriate resources and referrals;Quickly learned and used proprietary software and multi-line phone;Promptly and efficiently answered 10-30 emails and phone calls per day.

Researched how light interacts with various dyes in plastic and with proprietary textured plastic coatings.

Aided in the synthesis of photocleavable surfactants, utilizing their soap-like properties to transport hydrophobic drugs to a targeted location in a human body.

Doctorate Of Philosophy, Materials Science And Engineering

Bachelor Of Science, Chemistry