Daniel Thompson

Experience

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  Clemson University

  Aug 2006 - Jul 2012

  During my time as a research assistant at Clemson, I synthesized and characterized nano-structured and bulk thermoelectric materials. To enhance synthesize techniques, I lead the installation and provided training for a Edmund Beuhler melt spinning system in the complex and advanced materials lab. I also provided training to graduate students on a variety of commercial/custom characterization equipment, such as differential scanning calorimeters, laser flash systems, and scanning electron microscopes. My efforts extended beyond my own field of expertise as I collaborated with bioengineers, chemists, material scientists, and several international visiting scholars. Within my lab group, several students and I formed AMat in order to compete in the DOE clean energy challenge. Our team advanced to the ACC regional level, and it severed as introduction to entrepreneurialism and venture capital in the energy sector. Some of my accomplishments include:- Presentations to the Material Research Society, American Ceramic Society, International Thermoelectric Society, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Clemson’s Optical Society, and several corporations.- Eight journal publications Show less

  • Research Assistant

    Aug 2006 - Jul 2012

  • Graduate Teaching Assistant

    Aug 2006 - Aug 2011
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  Optimal Computer Aided Engineering, Inc.

  Jul 2012 - Aug 2015

  Materials Process Engineer

  GM, in conjunction with the Department of Energy, is investigating the use of thermoelectric (TE) technology for improved fuel economy. Thriving in this goal-driven research environment, I currently develop advance TE materials that are prepared by methods amenable to large volume manufacturing. This includes being an effective member of GM’s waste heat project collaborating with various suppliers, national laboratories, and universities; plus representing GM through publications and presentations to the external scientific community.The focus of my work is on the processing and evaluation of TE materials for waste heat recovery applications in motor vehicles. This includes determining the heat capacity, resistivity, Seebeck, thermal conductance/diffusivity, hall mobility, and carrier concentration of materials along with understanding and reporting on their mechanical properties, such as tensile fracture strength. In order to quantify relative diffusion rates and phase volume fractions, I have modeled the kinetics of transformation in n-type skutterudites using non-isothermal direct differential methods. Using MathCad, I have also modeled lattice thermal conductivity to determine the relative phonon scattering due to grain boundaries, point defects, phonon-phonon interactions, and phonon resonance states. Common structural and chemical analyses of materials are performed using powder x-ray diffraction and electron probe microanalysis. Some of my accomplishments include:- Discovering a material formulation that reduces cost without sacrificing TE performance.- Validation of enhancements in electrical conductivity from minute Ni-doping. Show less

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  General Motors

  Aug 2015 - Sept 2017

  Materials Lab Engineer

  Provide metallurgical failure analysis in accredited lab:• Completed 130 laboratory evaluation reports entailing 1000+ test for Materials Engineers / DREs / DEs / Researchers, which address urgent request, launch issues, quality spills and safety related test.• Developed and implemented new Tool Method to characterized part integrity• Local site administrator for work order tracking software that helps meets requirements for ISO17025 Accreditation• Battery Analysis Team (BAT) member supporting the development of mobile energy storage solutions and liaising with members of GM R&D, GM Global Fuel Cell, and GPS Electrification Engineering• Alternate for tracking laboratory metrics related to cost, quality, and efficiency using Tableau• Supported execution of lean engineering principals through management of business plan deployment (BPD) level 5, tracking employee training and monitoring cross-training within group Show less

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  Clemson University

  Sept 2017 - now

  Laboratory Manager

  Physics and Astronomy DepartmentSupervise and train graduate teaching assistants. Coordinate teaching laboratory schedules and classroom lecture demonstrations. Design, build, and maintain teaching laboratory equipment. Train faculty in use of physics demonstrations. Manage staffing of Physics Learning Center.* Comprehensive knowledge of theories, concepts and practices and ability to use in complex, difficult and/or unprecedented situations.* Manage work of others including hiring, terminating, training and developing, reviewing performance and administering corrective action for staff. Plan organizational structure and job content.* Responsible for developing one or more departmental budget(s). Show less