Xiaokun (Claire) Yang Email & Phone Number

Los Alamos, Nm, Us

- Led multiple R&D projects on catalytic conversion for the production of SAF and chemical, from lab-scale R&D to process intensification and products commercialization- Integrate reaction processes to utilize various sustainable feedstock/intermediates for the Net-Zero production of renewable fuels/SAF and value-added chemicals.- Develop strategies on CO2 utilization and H2 production via durable energy storage chemicals- Design, synthesize, and characterize heterogeneous catalysts to lower reaction activation energy for lower energy input- Advanced fuel property testing with small amount of research samples (1-2 mL) per ASTM test.

Los Alamos, Nm, Us

- Conducted two parallel projects as technical lead: CRADA-surfactant development, and BETO-JP-10 production- (CRADA) Collaborated with Sironix Renewables LLC. on a CRADA project for development of new types of renewable oleo-furan surfactant and reaction process intensification- (BETO) Synthesized bio-derived JP-10 from waste biomass resource with low market price and integrated reaction process into continuous reaction system- Collaborated with three other divisions and partner company to achieve milestones and beyond before deadlines and get an additional Phase II project funded

Reno, Nv, Us

- Examined atomic structures and mechanical properties of boron-very-rich boron carbide (BvrBC) by performing quantum mechanics (QM) simulations;- Simulated and investigated deformation processes and failure mechanisms of superhard ceramics in order to improve their mechanical properties;- Worked as a team with Caltech University and partner company on real boron carbide materials simulation and application

Reno, Nv, Us

- Effectively produced high value added chemicals and renewable fuels from sustainable biomass (lignocellulose, fatty acids, camelina oil, algea oil, arid land plant oil, and terpenoids) in self-designed novel reaction process. - Designed and synthesized advanced catalytic materials, including redox catalyst-complex metal oxides, microporous structural Lewis acid catalyst-zeolites, and bifunctional catalyst-palladium on tungsten doped zirconia (Pd/W-ZrO2);- Analyzed liquid, solid and vapor phase products with GC-MS/FID/TCD, HPLC, ESI/MS, NMR, Chemisorption Analyzer, FT/IR, and Elemental Analysis.- Investigated reaction mechanism by computational method-density functional theory (DFT) and reaction kinetic study;- Collaborated with team members in Natural Resource & Environmental Science Dept. and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Dept. on multiple projects, funded by USDA, NSF and Sun Grant, respectively;- Lead and Mentored five undergraduate students on theoretical, experimental research and instrument operations;

Reno, Nv, Us

- Assisted in 4 Chemical Engineering Core Courses: CHE 245: Computer Applications in Chemical Engineering, 2016 Spring CHE 440: Chemical Reactor Design, 2016 Spring CHE 311: Engineering Thermodynamics I, 2015 Fall CHE 450: Techniques of Process Design, Economics and Safety, 2015 Fall- Gave lectures about problem practice and exam review and conceived exam problems;- Held office hours and graded homework.

- Initially designed and synthesized flower-like semi-conductive Sb2O3 microstructures and VO2/Sb2O3 intelligent materials with controllable Vis-NIR reflectance performance;- Analyzed materials’ properties via SEM, TEM, FT/IR, BET, XRD, TG-DSC, and UV-Vis diffuse reflection spectrum.- Lead 2 undergraduates for experimental design and “one-step” preparation of porous CuO hollow microspheres and investigation of optical properties, especially the photo catalytic performance, of the as-prepared material;- Guided 2 undergraduates for one peer-reviewed publication.

- Collaborated with sales manager and lab researchers, engaged in product consulting of commercial raw materials and additives of environmentally friendly water-based coatings;

- Collaborated with industrial engineers and researchers, developed water-proof coating materials for buildings, including formula design and improvement; - Joined industrial engineering groups for process operation, products inspection and quality control;- Gained skills in testing methods for coating materials, including elasticity test, wearing resistance test, anti-aging performance test and adhesive strength test;- Collected, reported and documented data after accurate data generating and recording.

- Took safety training and learned SOPs, GLPs and company policies;- Observed and inspired by industrialized chemical reactions, process operations and products analysis in the national-scale modern coal chemical industry.

- Cooperated with another undergraduate, held primary responsibility for synthesis and characterization of 3 different microstructures of Sb2O3, including one-dimensional nanowires, hollow spindle-like and cobblestone-like microstructures.

- Enhanced the rectifying column plate efficiency by meliorating shapes of plate in a group of 3; - Titrated collected sample solutions, Calculated concentration of components and plate efficiency of 2 types of plate in plate column and 3 types of packing with different bore diameters in packed column

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Business Administration And Management, Project Management

Doctor Of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Chemical Engineering

Master'S Degree, Chemical Engineering

Visiting Student, Chemistry

Bachelor'S Degree, Chemical Engineering