Obinna Chiekezi, PhD.

- Led full lifecycle development of advanced battery prototypes from concept design to validation, utilizing DFMEA to define architecture and mitigate risks, ensuring alignment with performance and safety standards. - Engineered composite polymer electrolytes (CPEs) for sodium-ion batteries, achieving ~85% capacity retention over 270 cycles, and optimized formulations to meet IEC and American standards for grid integration. - Performed systematic tear-down analysis of cycled coin cells using SEM and advanced electrochemical testing (CV, LSV, GCD) to identify failure mechanisms and inform iterative design improvements. - Developed novel YSZ-enhanced beta-alumina solid electrolytes (YSZ@BASE) with superior thermal stability and extended cycle life ( > 900 cycles) for next-generation battery systems. - Coordinated with national laboratories and suppliers to qualify new battery materials, expediting production timelines and ensuring compliance with industry standards. - Established and implemented rigorous SOPs for electrolyte synthesis, formulation, and characterization to ensure reproducibility and scale-up potential.

- Conducted failure analysis on 12+ battery systems using Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), developed a comprehensive database that reduced troubleshooting time by 30%. - Engaged in the R&D of scalable carbon coating technologies for flow battery components, focusing on system compatibility and durability. Battery components durability improved by 30%. - Engineered innovative electrolyte formulations for Zn-Br flow batteries, enhancing ionic conductivity by 20% and reducing bromine volatility risks by 15% to mitigate zinc dendrite formation. - Collaborated with materials scientists, chemical engineers, and battery system engineers to integrate advanced electrolyte solutions with electrodes and membranes into full-scale battery prototypes. - Performed detailed analysis of polymer-carbon composite plates, identifying structural limitations affecting mechanical integrity in larger battery designs. - Assisted in the development and debugging of manufacturing processes for flow battery components, focusing on scalability and mechanical integrity.

- Conducted solvothermal and hydrothermal syntheses of γ-MnO2 and β-MnO2 urchin nanomaterials for use as cathode materials in aqueous Zn-ion batteries - Designed and fabricated CR-2032-coin cell batteries incorporating newly synthesized electrode materials - Evaluated performance of chemically synthesized γ-MnO2/β-MnO2 nanomaterials against commercial electrolytic γ-MnO2 (EMD) cathodes in aqueous Zn-ion batteries

- Designed and optimized processes for the recovery of drilling fluids from cuttings. - Analyzed and improved recovery techniques, ensuring maximum efficiency and minimal waste. - Developed process flow diagrams (PFDs) and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs) for fluid recovery systems.

Worked in the Maintenance as well as in the Control and Oil Recovery department for Drilling Wastes.