Karthikeyan Rajan

My academic background, including a Ph.D. in Materials Science from Shizuoka University, has equipped me with a deep understanding of material properties, structural analysis, and the latest advancements in characterization technologies.

In my current role at Accelera by Cummins, I have honed my skills in advanced materials characterization, employing techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to analyze material properties and performance. My work has involved designing and conducting experiments, interpreting complex data, and providing actionable insights to drive project success. A particular highlight was leading a project that optimized the bipolar plater materials properties for alternative energy generation, resulting in a 20% improvement in its durability and performance.

With a robust background in Materials Engineering and a proven track record in leading projects related to design, test execution, data analysis, and laboratory management, I am confident in my ability to contribute effectively to a team and drive forward innovative engineering solutions.

Materials specialist 10/2023-Present 

Accelera by Cummins.Inc, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada 

• Responsible for the design, testing and development of graphitic bipolar plates towards the next generation of fuel cells. 
• Carry out the in-stu and ex-citu characterizations to enhance the properties of gas diffusion layer, bipolar plate materials. Stack building, assembly and testing of PEM fuel cells, electrolyzers. 
• Catalytic and kinetic analysis and other project specification to determine the susceptibility of material at industrial conditions. 
• Evaluate the theoretical simulations using Ansys - Fluent software. 

Research professional 10/2021-10/2023 

Research chair on Industrial Materials (CHIMI, University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada 

• Manage entire chemicals (including hazardous materials) and supplies inventory and maintenance of accurate record of all the chemicals used in the teaching and research laboratories. 
• Analyse the chemical composition and morphology of products using FTIR spectroscopy, Xray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). 
• Carry out the Catalytic and kinetic analysis and other project specification to determine the susceptibility of material at industrial conditions. 
• Evaluate the experimental results by comparing with models in theoretical simulations using Ansys CFD and Fluent software. 
• Publish technical and scientific reports and presentations. 

Research Professional 06/2019- 09/2021 

Engineering Research Center for Hydrogen Energy and New Materials, Jiangxi University of Science and technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China 

• Fabrication of 2D Nanomaterials and study the catalytic effects for Nitrogen to Ammonia Electrochemical conversion. 
• Fabrication and testing of coin-cell Lithium-Ion battery under inert atmosphere. 
• Analyse the physical and chemical properties of the materials interface by various analytical instruments. 
• Provided scientific mentorship for other staff such as metallurgists, chemists, and other scientists. 

Research Professional 01/2018- 12/2018 

Department of Applied Sciences, University of Quebec at Chicoutimi, Quebec, Canada 

• Fabrication of Metal Oxide Nanomaterials and their supercapacitance performance though Electrochemical testing. 
• Synthesis of Metal oxide Nanomaterials and their light absorption black coatings for space applications. 
• Analyse the physical and chemical properties of the materials interface by various analytical instruments. 

Research Professional 01/2016- 12/2017 

State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Dalian, Liaoning, China 

• Fabrication of 2D Nickel Oxide Nanosheets and their CO, CO2 conversion to value added chemicals at room temperature. 
• Study the Metal and Metal oxide interface at the High-resolution in-situ imaging and spectroscopy analysis under ambient pressure. 
• Dynamic oxidation and reduction properties of various metal oxides were studied to understand the kinetics of reaction mechanism. 

Research assistant 09/2012-09/2015 

Graduate School of Science and technology, Shziuoka university, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka , Japan. 

• Synthesis of phase controlled nickel sulfide nanomaterials by hydrothermal and wet chemical process. Studied their catalytic applications for water purification to remove the chemical pollutant. 
• Fabrications of dye sensitized solar cells using organic synthesized carbon as an anode. 
• Publish technical and scientific reports and presentations. 

• Doctoral Degree (Ph.D) in Materials Science/Appl. Chemistry, Shizuoka University, Hamamatsu, Japan 2015 
• Master’s degree (M.Sc.) in Materials Science, Anna University, Chennai, India 2010 
• Bachelor’s degree (B.Sc.) in Physics, Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India 2008