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NanoTechnology to Practice Enrique Barrera, Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering and Chemistry Rice University, Houston, TX
Patents issued, and pending in numerous countries (numbering ~60) that canvas fluids,
polymers, metals, and ceramics with nano-related features. A number of patents that are
foundational and composition of matter.
Has conducted research for NSF, DOD, DOE, NASA, numerous companies and foundations.
Barrera conducts research in three areas: (1/3) Applied engineering, (1/3) State of the art
advancements, (1/3) Fundamental science.
Fully Integrated Nanotube Composites
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Several pictures of advances in nanotechnology including (left to right and top down) (1) a nano-Sword, (2) Nanotube conducting wire (NCW), (3) Over 250% improvement in glass strength, (4) Thermoplastic nanocomposite sheet, (5) Nanotube reinforced wire feed stock, (6) nanotube/polymer fibers, (7) Nanotube sensor, (8) Patented nanotube polymer chemistry (9) Magnetic changes via nanoparticles, (10) Nano-fluid oils and lubricants, and (11) Nanotube toughened ceramics.
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Dr. Enrique V. Barrera
1 SCHOLAR, ENTREPRENEUR, EDUCATOR
Enrique V. Barrera, Ph.D is a professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering and
Chemistry at Rice University in Houston, TX. Rice University (Rice) has become known as one of the
leading institutions in nanotechnology (science and engineering principles) with a particular interest in
carbon nanotechnology.
Dr. Barrera can bring Whirlpool significant advancements to appliances over the next five years.
Dr. Barrera is capable of developing, resolving, synthesizing, processing, and initiating manufacturing
and of numerous nanotechnological advancements in a broad materials and engineering arena.
Dr. Barrera is an expert in delivering nano to practice.
Barrera has spent his career in synthesis, analytical understanding, developing engineering
processes, and solving engineering problems with nanotech solutions and outcomes.
Barrera has a focus on delivering advances in a timely manner well aligned with the needs of
industry and has done a number of times across several industries.
Barrera has gained a significant technical know-how in nanotechnology encompassing
o Fluids, polymers, metals and alloys, ceramics, and coatings and composites in each
related area that enable advanced properties of materials through nanotechnology
approaches.
Barrera has led scientific and technical advancement related to electrical, chemical, mechanical,
magnetic, and thermal properties. He has accomplished this in thin film systems, coatings,
micro-devices, integrated components, composites, alloys, nanoceramics, bio-inspired
materials, complex materials systems, and engineered materials systems.
Barrera has industrial experience having worked in the chemical industry, oil and gas energy
sector, aerospace arena, and department of defense infrastructure.
Barrera has materials processing experience to develop a broad range of nano-outcomes.
Barrera has implemented numerous methods of testing that include: in laboratory, scaled
methodologies, and third party validation testing.
Barrera is knowledgeable in numerous methods of materials characterization that include: in
laboratory microscopies, spectroscopies, x-ray diffraction, nano-destructive testing, and
synchrotron x-ray methodologies.
Barrera has written the manuscripts of numerous patents, trade journal articles and of course
high level research journals.
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2 SCHOLAR
Significant scholarship for Barrera has come in the form of awards, publications, patents, and scientific
and engineering achievements:
Awards:
NSF Young Investigator Award (NYI) awarded (1993). Hispanic Engineering National
Achievement Award Conference (HENAAC) Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement
(1994).
American Society of Materials (ASM) ASM Fellow, awarded October (2004).
Numerous other awards can be seen on Barrera’s extended resume.
Publications: Barrera has published over 200 journal papers, proceedings, extended abstracts, chapters
in books, and edited books.
Barrera takes great care in the work he does for companies in that the degree of publishing is reduced
and done so in a way that the intellectual property for the company(s) stays protected.
Scientific and Engineering Achievements: Nano to Micro: Micro to Macro Nanotube functionalizations Conducting polymers Surface interactions Produced ESD, EMI, and high conductor materials Polymer-nanotube cross-linking Thermal properties of polymers, metals, and ceramics Self-assembly Electrical properties of nanotubes Nanoscale stability (chemical and thermal) Nanotube-polymers, nanotube-metals, and nanotube-Fundamental electronic behavior ceramics New interface chemistries and systems PMCs, MMC, CMCs with nanotubes Nano-grain sized materials Cold sprayed bulk materials Nanocrystalline consolidation Advances in strength Controlling grain size Fracture toughness advances Reductions in viscosity Work that led to fatigue advances Nano-scale alignment of nanoparticles Impact advances Nanotube growth and doping Produced advanced magnetic materials Time dependent behavior Heat transfer nanofluids Nanotube use as a template Nano-fuels Nanotube-nanotube synergism Repair systems and liquids for strengthening glass Funding History: Barrera has been funded extensively in his career as a Professor at Rice University. He has been funded both by federal sources and various companies and foundations.
• National Science Foundation • Department of Energy • Air Force Office of Sponsored Research • Air Force Research Laboratory • Office of Navy Research
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• Army Research Laboratory • NASA Johnson Space Center • NASA Langley Research Center • Jet Propulsion Laboratory • State of Texas-ATP • Department of Commerce-ATP • American Society of Engineering Education
• Alcoa Foundation • McDonnel Douglas • Lockheed Martin • Southwest Pipe Company • Whirlpool (via Tec de Monterrey) • NanoRidge Materials, Inc. • Boeing (Cost Share) • Chevron (Cost share) • Shell (Cost Share) • Technip, USA (Cost Share) • Total (Cost Share) • Baker Hughes (Cost Share) • Aero Shield Dynamics • C-Bond Systems
Patents: Barrera’s advances have led to patents and new engineering outcomes. Patents are for nanotube processing, nanotube functionalizations, nanoparticles in polymers, nano-enhanced metals, nanoceramics, advanced composites, new opportunities in electrical advances, thermal management products, advanced ceramics, new composite systems, new armor, new shielding for outer space and aero-applications, advanced electronic devices, and new coatings and bulk materials. Patents are included in 60 patents that include those patented in other countries. Barrera has also engaged in gap filling measures to ensure that new technologies he developed are further protected by other intellectual property created surrounding foundational intellectual property. The following table demonstrates numerous methodologies used by Barrera for the development of a broad number of new nanomaterials. To understand this chart, know that there are a range of starting conditions for nanotubes and other nanoparticles. Choosing one or more of these conditions is typically based on a full understanding of what the starting condition can do to impact final outcomes. Next, it’s important to know that typically dispersion is an important feature needed when taking a nanotechnological approach. Shown here are numerous methods for achieving dispersion. Many investigators think they understand this well but the published outcomes do not reflect this. The next important feature is the bonding of the nanoparticle to other materials systems. Note that carbon nanotubes do not bond well and it typically takes key steps to assure a bonded condition. Finally, alignment can be a critical feature need to achieve the maximum potential of nanoparticles with an aspect ratio. These methods can be implemented in a cost effective way. A recipe for a final material containing nanoparticles may require more than one from each category. Barrera has implemented combinations of each of these many times in the nanomaterials he has developed.
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Starting Nanotubes Dispersion Interface Alignment
Dry As-received Spreading Polymer selection High shear mixing
In solvent as-received Bench mixing Tangle reduction Extrusion
Purified Homogenization Dispersion Elongational flow
Functionalized Sonication Alignment Fiber spinning
Substrate grown High Shear Purification Magnetic fields
Dry aggregate Stretch drying Unwrapping Electric fields
Pearls Ball milling Polymerization Stretch drying
Power Polymerization In situ Dip/spin coating
In water In situ Stabilizing for
Temperature
Gel/wet spinning
wrapped Incipient wetting Functionalization Solid Freeform
Fabrication
Master batched Extrusion Metallization Tape casting
Bucky tubes Functionalized Synergism Substrate growth
Separated De-functionalized B-stage Self-assembly
Fluff Wrapping Sized Aligned growth
Bucky paper Separated Curing agent
advancement
Robocasting
Cut B-stage Hybridization Fused deposition
molding
Pre-impregnated Spraying Self-assembly Extrusion
Sized Pre-impregnated Self-growth Substrate growth
Metallization Metallization Cross-linking Forced spinning
Decanted Viscosity control Vulcanization Electric field
The table below shows a partial listing of the many material systems produced by Barrera. Included in the table are nano-fluids, -polymers, -metals, and -ceramics.
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Barrera has materials processing experience in
o For liquids: Bench mixing, controlled sonication mixing, homogenization and how to
scale to manufacturing levels.
o For thin films and monolayer coverages: physical and chemical vapor deposition (PVD,
CVD), resistive vapor deposition, magnetron sputtering, epitaxial growth, co-deposition
and sublimation methodologies, vapor deposition and in situ compaction,
o For coatings: Electrolysis plating, electroplating, cladding, cold spray processing,
thermal spray, plasma spray, and sol-gel processing.
o For devices
o For metals and alloys
o For composites (Polymer)
o For composites (Metal)
o For composites (ceramic)
o For ceramics
For a detailed listing of methodologies used by Barrera, please see his published work.
At the nano-level Barrera has identified design approaches and important steps to producing nanomaterials. He has observed commonalities between materials, processing and methods of how to achieve advanced properties. These outcomes are reflected in his papers and patents. The chart below shows how he approaches commonality of materials regarding nanomaterials.
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Note that there important features of nanomaterials that are not often fully used. A deeper
understanding of nanoscience and nanoengineering insures a fuller use of the nanoparticles in the new
materials.
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3 ENTREPRENEUR
Nanotechnology Research to Practice: Barrera has conducted consulting and, worked for companies,
holds Board seats for companies, and started companies.
Barrera is a member of the Team led by J. Margrave to process and develop fluoronanotubes which
received a (2003) R&D Magazine 100 Award.
Barrera has been recognized as Hispanic magazine’s 100 Most Influentials (2006).
He has worked at National Laboratories and holds other academic positions at other universities. These
activities have made it possible for him to steward research to practice.
Consulting Experiences (selected examples)
o Southwestern Pipe in Houston, TX: Demonstrated the ability to bond a tin alloy coating
to welded steel umbilical piping. Shell Oil Company gave $9M to the steel company to
develop the product based on Barrera’s work. Southwestern Pipe was sold and the new
company Tenaris Coiled Tubes was formed that markets the product demonstrated by
Barrera.
o Smith International: Assessed nanotechnology coatings for cutting tools.
o Shield Aerodynamics, LLC: Designed new materials for a Foreign Object Debris (FOD)
Protection system for jet engine intakes.
o (Current) Conducting testing of a medical implant for the Baylor School of Medicine and
for a medical device company. Publication to follow.
o Consultant to ICASA, Monterrey, Mexico: Assisting on several projects based on
nanotechnology approaches.
Research Projects for numerous companies
o (Partial listing) McDonnel Douglas, NanoRidge Materials, Inc., Lockheed Martin,
Southwestern Pipe, Boeing.
Research for National Laboratories
o Brookhaven National Laboratory, Naval Air Development Center, Naval Research
Laboratory, Air Force Research Laboratory, Aberdeen Army Research Laboratory, Nasa
Johnson Space Center, Langley Research Laboratory, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Kelly
Airforce Base.
Company jobs
o Co-Founder, Chief Technology Officer and now member of the Board of Directors for
NanoRidge Materials, Inc.
o Chief Technical Officer of C-Bond Systems, LLC.
o Founder, President, and Operations Director of Next-Wire (in the formation process).
Other Academic Positions
o Distinguished Visiting Professor at Tec de Monterrey (a four year contract).
Conducts research, publishes papers, creates patents, starts companies, directs
postdocs and students, writes proposals, teaches nanotechnology classes.
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4 EDUCATOR
Outcomes for Barrera have come in numerous ways and it’s important to consider the individuals that
have worked with him and have been the outcome of the educational process under Barrera’s guidance.
Barrera has been recognized as an Educator and Mentor:
Hispanic Engineering National Achievement Awards Conference (HENAAC) Educator of the Year
(2003).
Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring
(PAESMEM), Awarded at the White House in 2003.
100 Most Influentials identified by Hispanic Magazine (2006).
The following individuals are examples of those people Barrera educated and trained in Materials
Science and NanoEngineering (partial listing) (over 20 PhDs graduated under Barrera’s supervision):
Professors:
o Dr. Meisha Shofner, Associate Professor – Georgia Institute of Technology
Tenured professor
o Dr. Erica Corral, Associate Professor – University of Arizona
Tenured professor
o Dr. Karen Lozano, Associate Professor – University of Texas Pan American
Julia Beecherl Endowed Professor
o Dr. Daneesh Simien, Assistant Professor – University of West Virginia
o Dr. Jose Santiago Cruz-Banuelos, Professor, Universidad de Monterrey
o Dr. Laura Pena-Paras, Professor – Universidad de Monterrey
o Dr. Fernando Rodriguez-Macias, Professor – Tec De Monterrey
Industry Researchers and Engineers:
o Dr. Albert Zheng, Recent Program Manager and now Senior Engineer, Micron
Corporation
Holds 50 patents for his company
o Dr. Xiayang Sheng, Supply Chain SME - Metals
o Dr. Leonard Yowell, Strategy/Innovation Development Office NASA Johnson Space
Center Houston, Texas, Has held leadership roles in nanotechnology and is now in the
Strategy and Innovations office for the entire NASA facility
o Dr. Brian Mayeaux, Project Manager, Orbital Project Office, Johnson Space Center,
Houston, TX
o Dr. Qiang Zeng, Principal Technical Advisor, Offshore Technology Services, Technip, USA
One of two Materials Scientists for the Houston, TX office
o Dr. Divia K. Chakravarthi, Member of the Technical Staff, Global Foundaries
o Dr. Padraig Moloney, Senior Scientist and Program Manager, Lockheed Martin
o Dr. Suman Khatiwada, Research Scientist III, Materials- Baker Hughes
o Dr. Yao Zhao, Geophysicist, CGGVeritas
o Dr. Jong Dae Kim, Principal Research Engineer, Solar Cell and Module, LG Electronics,
Korea
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Special jobs
o Dr. John Daniel Olivas, Astronaut, now Consultant for Olivas Associates
Flew in space two times
Special Education Programs conducted by Barrera
o Nanotechnology Training to industry – Lockheed Martin
o Nanotechnology Training to industry – Whirlpool
o Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Engineering training to High School Students
Special week and two week programs, and Saturday programs for high school
students.
For more information on Dr. Barrera, his extended vitae can be made available.