Material Science Expert Witness

Our Ph. D material science expert witness has over twenty years of experience working as a technical consultant in plastic packaging, materials engineering, polymers, metallurgy, chemistry, corrosion and adhesion science. She is one of our most skilled and experienced expert witnesses for litigation cases involving coatings, polymers, ferrous metallurgy, corrosion and glass, testifying both in deposition and trial. She has provided technical consulting services to companies on medical devices; food and beverage packaging; consumer electronics; pressure vessels and piping; recreational equipment; and appliances. She has been an advisor to companies ranging from start-ups to major corporations and has consulted on issues related to intellectual property, trade secret disputes, product liability, failure analysis, and innovation. She is very skilled in interacting with regulatory agencies, attorneys, engineers, investors, researchers and business leaders.

She has taught several courses for The American Society for Materials (ASM International) on polymers and failure analysis for medical devices and has been a Visiting Lecturer at the Colorado School of Mines. She supports large companies with innovation companies and assists clients with matters related to intellectual property, including support related to patent filings, submission of invention disclosures, technical due diligence, and technical aspects of trade secret, patent infringement, and patent validity disputes. She has over 50 patents in the areas of food packaging, coatings, chemical sensors, flexible electronic barriers, carbon fiber, polymeric filters, and recycling technologies.

Experience

2007 - Present
Private Practice
Louisville, CO
Top inventor, generating over 1.2M sales in open innovation selections in chemistry and materials science, resulting in over sixty issued patents. Example projects:

Led concept development of renewable, bio-based packaging, filing patent applications based on results, with ongoing licensing discussions
Developed new technologies for self-cleaning paint on behalf of a specialty chemicals company, including one on atmospheric CO2-reactive coating. Authored eight patents
Analyzed flexible barrier technologies for consumer electronics, generating four unique concepts. Lead author on four issued U.S. patents
Developed inexpensive tactile chemical sensors for smart packaging on behalf of a large food company. Authored two patent applications
Researched, assessed and developed advanced recycling strategies for polymers and carbon fiber. Lead author on seven patents.

Consulting engineer, leading metallurgical and polymer investigations of medical devices, consumer products, electronics, oil and gas pipelines. Completed over 40 engineering investigations on time and under budget. Example projects:

Analyzed PU-PC adhesive bonding process in medical devices with 30% product failure rate. Modified process based on laboratory measurements, eliminating product failures
Determined root-cause of RF-welding process of LDPE/HDPE medical device component experiencing high failure rate during product testing.

Grant writer- Authored SBIR NSF grant, successfully securing Phase 1 funding for Vitrumed, a medical device startup using RF energy to weld bioresorbable polymers

Polymer science instructor- Created two new classes on behalf of American Society of Materials (ASM) for continuing professionals in the medical device industry.

2018 - Present
Member, Inventor Advisory Board
Evaluate corporate investments in innovation and spin-offs for Xinova in Seattle.

2015 - Present
Analyst and Facilitator for Corporate External Innovation Accelerator Programs,
Private Practice
Louisville, CO

Authored competitive landscape report for $1M investment portfolio in renewable packaging film enabling chemical dispersion of natural fillers (Pepsi CO / Frito-Lay). Pitched and sold three early-stage technologies that advanced to prototype and development (Value $680K), with one U.S. patent application filed.
Led cross-functional team of R&D scientists and business managers to develop strategies for $2.0M portfolio of novel processing methods for cereal bars without added sugar ($2.0M portfolio for Pepsi Co / Quaker Oats). Pitched and sold two processing technologies that advanced to final stages.
Built and led a cross-functional team to create sustainable e-commerce packaging (PepsiCo NA Beverage). Amer, analyzing process and constraints, sold four unique concepts to PepsiCo for development and commercialization (Value $460,000). Led concept development and design project for two prototypes.
Invited innovator for Rapid Innovation Session (Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, $0.8M portfolio) for sludge dewatering technologies deployable in developing countries
Invited innovator for Rapid Engineering Session (Clorox) for eliminating plastic in disinfectant packaging.

2009 - Present
Consulting Engineer, Private Practice
Louisville, CO

Developed in vitro and sheep model testing strategy for Latera, a Class II absorbable nasal implant. Researched, prepared and submitted expert report to FDA, resulting in 510(k) device approval and forty- five thousand patients treated
Prepared materials testing strategy and authored research proposal in two weeks, achieving early-stage NSF Phase 1 SBIR funding for Vitrumed, a startup which delivers RF energy for vessel sealing.

2010-2015
Technology Analyst and Top Tier Innovator for $355M private equity fund

Defined investment opportunities in advanced coatings for self-cleaning paints (Akzo Nobel). Outlined five new chemical formulations, filed eight patent applications, resulting in five issued U.S. patents (Portfolio value $2.3M)
On behalf of Project Retrace ($1.7M investment portfolio), evaluated existing technologies for using mixed- plastic scrap waste streams to define opportunities. Generated six new concepts, presented findings to stakeholders, resulting in four technical and one business model patent application issued and filed
In response to corporate R&D efforts in managing carbon fiber waste, created novel carbon-fiber recycling technology concepts for matrix / fiber separation (four patents issued)
In response to investor interest in emerging technologies for flexible electronics, generated four unique concepts for flexible barriers. Analyzed suitable materials and pitched concepts to investors and technical reviewers, resulting in four funded projects and issued U.S. patents.

2002-2007
Senior Engineer, Exponent Failure Analysis Associates
Menlo Park, CA

Analyzed offshore manufacturing to identify and implement key coating process modification, decreasing production costs and product failure rate by 20%.
Provide leadership to 15+ members from three cross-functional teams to re-design polymeric products, eliminating 45% product failures during the sterilization process.

1998-2002
Senior Scientist, Exponent Environmental
Boulder, CO

1995-1998
Scientist, Exponent Environmental
Seattle, WA

Education

M.S., Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 2003
Ph.D., Inorganic Chemistry, Yale University, 1994
B.S., Chemistry, University of California at Berkeley, 1988

Publications and Presentations

Publications:

Marine Atmospheric Stress Corrosion Cracking of Unsensitized, Stainless Steel Rock Climbing Protection, Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, 8:410-418, 2008 (with L. Eiselstein).
Epoxy Attributes, Materials for Medical Device Database, Implantable Cardiovascular Devices, ASM International, November 2007
Failure Analysis of Polymers for Medical Devices, Materials Processes for Medical Devices Course Series, American Society of Materials, March 2007, Sunnyvale, CA; May 2007, 2 January 2022 Memphis TN; July 2007, Norwood, MA; August 2007, Plymouth, IN; September 2007, Palm Desert, CA
Accelerated Aging Study of Gamma and E-Beam Irradiated Poly(Ether-Block-Amide) (PEBA), ANTEC, pp. 1544–1548, 2006 (with F. Villagomez and A. Kendale).
Environmental Stress Cracking (ESC) Failure of Polycarbonate Components: Two Case Studies, ANTEC, pp. 1409–1413, 2006 (with J.M. Hoffman).
Fracture Behavior of Nb-V-T: Micro-alloyed Plates Processed With and Without Intermediate Cooling, Proceedings, ASM Materials Solutions Conference, International Symposium of Microalloyed Steels, Columbus, OH, 2002
Cationic Dihydrogen Complexes of Rhodium and Cobalt: A Reinvestigation, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1994, 116(18), p. 8388-8389 (with D.M. Heinekey, M. van Roon).

Presentations:

Introduction to Polymers for Medical Devices, Materials Processes for Medical Devices, American Society of Materials, May 2006, Minneapolis, MN; December 2006, Miami, FL
Accelerated Aging Study of Gamma and E-Beam Irradiated Poly (Ether-Block-Amide) (PEBA),”ANTEC 2006, Charlotte, NC, May 8, 2006 ESC Failure of Polycarbonate Components: Two Case Studies, ANTEC 2006, Charlotte, NC (with J.M. Hoffman)
Fracture Behavior of Nb-V-T: Micro-alloyed Plates Processed with and without Intermediate Cooling, Proceedings, ASM Materials Solutions Conference, International Symposium of Microalloyed Steels, Columbus, OH, 2002
Environmental Forensics, Continuing Legal Education, Marten Brown, Seattle, WA, November 2000

Packaging Design Awards

Design of spill-proof, low-cost beverage pouch packaging for kids (on behalf of PepsiCo Beverage NA) Four packaging designs selected:
- Method for forming beverage straw from pouch packaging
- Internal straw for beverage pouch and method for forming
- Sealable straw and method for forming
- Slitted straw and method for forming
Design of sustainable packaging for fried snack foods: (on behalf of Lay’s / PepsiCo) Three packaging designs selected:
- Browning and odor prevention in bio-fillers using sacrificial compound for compatibilization.
- Reactive extrusion of bio-based composite films
- Post-conversion processing of bio-based composite films
E-Commerce packaging for soda cans (on behalf of PepsiCo Beverage NA) Three packaging designs selected:
- Frustration-free packaging (FFP) and method based on shock-absorbing adhesives
- Diamond package design for e-commerce of beverage cans
- Encapsulated frustration-free packaging for beverage can shipping
Low-cost packaging sensors for fried snack food (on behalf of Lay’s / PepsiCo) Two packaging designs selected:
- Braille dots as moisture sensors for snack bags. Patent application filed, sole inventor
- Rancidity indicator with tactile output
Transformational snacks for home (on behalf of Lay’s / PepsiCo) Three packaging designs selected:
- Flexible snack bag cured by Near IR
- Shape change and rigidity transformation during food preparation
- Hydrophilic insert sleeve containing beverage additives for disposable cups
Fruit packaging for transport (on behalf of Australian Fruit and Vegetable Coalition) Three packaging designs selected:
- Composite foams with shape-stabilized, phase change material
- Thermo-reversible gels for fruit transport
- Food packaging containing shape-memory polymer enhances experience

Patents and Patent Applications

Packaging and Films
11 patents involving thermostatic packaging materials, composite films and foams, thermoplastic coatings, stabilized bio-filler particles and polymer compositions, as well as, a tactile crispness and rancidity indicator.

Coating and Paints
14 patents including self-healing coatings and self-renewing hydrophilic coatings, composite films, thermoplastic coatings, Gemini surfactants, and hydrophilic paints, coatings, microfibers, and nanofibers.

Flexible Electronic Barriers
3 patents in inorganic siloxane ladder composites and methods of their preparation, fluorinated siloxanes and methods for their preparation, and functionalized boron nitride materials and methods for their preparation and use.

Sensors
7 patents for detecting devices that detect the following: gas, live pathogens, hydrofluorocarbon sensing and elimination, fluorescent labeling of living cells, carbon fiber, and chemicals in aqueous environments.

Membranes and Filters
7 patents involving graphene membranes, active polymeric filters, and purification.

Chemical Processing and Methods
6 patents involving microwave dipolar heating of energetic polymers for carbon fibermatrix separation, corrosion control for supercritical water gasification components, enclosing manufacture with a magnesium sacrificial anode for corrosion and immobilized enzyme compositions for densified carbon dioxide dry cleaning.