Consultant, Kevin Kennedy Associates Inc.
Providing expertise in physical chemistry, materials science, rheology, coatings science and colloidal chemistry, polymer science and technology, coatings science and physical organic chemistry, and related expertise to a wide variety of clients.
Adjunct Professor of Chemistry
Planned and provided chemistry lectures and labs. Coached, motivated, and evaluated students. Supervised and administered labs in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Contract Rheologist, Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN
Established methods, trained engineers, scientists and technicians in the use of TA AR-2000 rheometer for fluids, melts, solids. Developed automated scripts, set up network connections for remote access that enabled non-rheologists to easily perform advanced rheometric analyses with little or no training.
Coatings Scientist and Colloidal Chemist, Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN
Served as Program Manager for New Coatings Platform. Identified needs, developed plans with co-worker input, reported progress to upper management for a new coatings technology platform. Provided focus for management in hiring, facility development, and cost of capability development. Created characterization methods for coatings. Rheology profiles, shear stability, rheology models and fitness-for-use testing. Structure-property relationships using dynamic mechanical analysis and fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy. Developed and applied fluorescence techniques for micelle characterization to novel coatings system that led to several new product innovations. Selected, due to expertise and organizational knowledge, to serve as project leader for development of high throughput experimentation software for coatings formulation development and testing. Utilized software engineering expertise to successfully complete project for large group with little or no direct control and with project goals shifting due to organizational changes. Followed up with training and tailoring of system to meet changing needs. Tools remain in use and are currently being expanded in scope. Created rheological techniques and methods for colloidal systems that provided structure property information for formulations including associative thickeners. Introduced product concept that is now considered a major and most promising new product. Developed methods to characterize solvents in terms of polarity, miscibility, and phase behavior using fluorescence and mathematical modeling. Expanded methods to include polymer solutions and blends.
Staff Rheologist, Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport, TN
Directed lab of up to 30 polymer scientists and engineers in the application of polymer science and technology. Provided leadership, motivation, and counseling to staff. Led technical team in development of a spinning model that was used to specify raw materials, spinning conditions, and jet design. Productivity and quality improvements resulting from the project included a $30 M cost savings claimed by the manufacturing division and elimination of the need to purchase $60M spinning machine. Developed reputation as world known rheology expert through self-study and participation in conferences and through publications.
US Navy
Was Nuclear Trained submarine officer. Qualified for supervision of maintenance and operation of US Navy nuclear power plants including radiological controls.
