Dr. Ashish Bansal

Experience

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  National Renewable Energy Laboratory

  Jan 1997 - Jan 2000

  Research Associate

  Applied concepts of electro-catalysis and band edge engineering to GaInP2 based tandem-cell structures to optimize photo-electrochemical systems for generation of H2 from water using solar energy. Demonstrated the advantage of catalytic treatment of semiconductor surface for improved H2 generation. Supervised undergraduate student projects (ERULF), and motivated them to go for Ph.D. Inspired one undergraduate to change his major to continue work in renewable energy.

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  California Institute of Technology

  Jan 1997 - Jan 1997

  Post Doctoral Research Fellow

  Optimized chemical treatments to stabilize silicon electrodes in aqueous environments. Patent awarded on this work.

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  International Solar Electric Technology, Inc. (ISET)

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2012

  Advised and supported the CEO in business planning, strategic direction, new product development and capital raise, aimed at commercializing company’s thin film CIGS based solar cell technology. Assumed full responsibility of pilot line and R&D operations and facilities. • Optimized product performance on the pilot line. Achieved 12% solar module efficiency and over 90% yield.• Engineered custom solar panels and delivered them to the first pilot line customer. • Formulated extensively detailed plans for a manufacturing facility - including complete process design, floor space layout, supply chain identification, labor force and production phase-in, product definition, product design, and bill of materials. Show less Assumed full responsibility of all aspects of R&D operations. Conceptualized, designed and supervised experiments, enhanced product performance, implemented process design for manufacturability, and scaled-up technology from R&D to pilot line. Envisioned, laid out and oversaw the construction of the new facility as well as proper shutdown of the old facility. • Successfully authored SBIR proposals which brought in $2M in funding and managed $4.5M budget for research contracts. • Increased CIGS solar cell efficiency to >14%.• Scaled-up and transferred technology from laboratory to pilot platform which enabled the company to raise private funding. • Formulated and implemented a diagnostic, predictive, stage gate protocol in the manufacturing process, which doubled the rate of innovation.• Developed a cheaper, faster, and more environmentally friendly process alternative which slashed the cost of a process step by 98%, cut the amount of toxic waste generated by over 90% and increased throughput by over 50%. The new process reduced CAPEX by over 50%.• Developed a cheaper, simpler and more controlled spray coating method, which improved coating uniformity and quality critical for high device performance. Show less

  • Vice President, Research & Development (CTO/COO)

    Jan 2011 - Jan 2012

  • Research & Development Manager

    Jan 2006 - Jan 2011

  • Sr. Research Scientist

    Jan 2000 - Jan 2006
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  Pioneer PV Solutions

  Jan 2012 - Jan 2013

  Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

  Co-founded a startup to manufacture mini/compact thin film PV panels for battery charging for solar lanterns and portable power applications. Collaborated on defining the mission, vision and technical approach. Supported due diligence, brand development and PR.• Revamped the company direction and marketing strategy to achieve better control of product quality. • Defined the product line and its low cost manufacturing strategy permitting significant automation and enabling potential savings of millions of dollars annually. Show less

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  Heliogen

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2014

  Technical and Management Consultant

  Advised and supported management in business model validation, creation of initial company roadmap and in vendor/consultant contract negotiations for a solar thermal startup. • Added depth to the Company business plan, providing greater granularity by modeling technical and financial data. Set up long term financial projections. • Created detailed business roadmap for Company’s first operational year, identifying project site, setting up timeline for activities and milestones, and estimating the required budget. Show less

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  Columbus Technologies and Services

  Jan 2014 - now

  • Director of Process Improvement

    Jan 2016 - now

  • Management Consultant

    Jan 2014 - Jan 2016