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Expert Bio

Primary Area of Expertise

Chemical Engineering

Expert Witness Profile

1969 M.I.T. chemical engineering doctorate led to now 51-year career: 1) petroleum refining research and development 2) coal and oil shale synthetic fuels R&D 3) chemical and petrochemical R&D 4) electric power R&D 5) lunar materials R&D for NASA (including the first two U.S. patents awarded for lunar technologies) and 6) manufacturing plant process design, engineering and construction of previous categories -- all with environmental, health, safety and sustainability (EHS&S) priorities. '56 (start) Rice U, undergrad -- '61 US Navy, sea-duty operations officer (including Oct. ‘62 Cuban Missile Crisis) -- '64 (start) MIT, grad school -- '68 Exxon Research & Engineering, research assoc. -- '74 US Department of Energy, Synfuels head (GS-16) -- '79 General Electric, Tech Dir -- '81 Halcon Scientific Design, Tech Dir -- '83 Carbotek Development Laboratories, owner -- 2000 Knudsen Associates, industry consulting and expert witnessing.

Twenty expert cases, split between plaintiff and defendant types -- all successful. Extensive experience with expert reports, depositions and trial testimony. Scientific quality, professional integrity and rapid results to retaining attorney lead to desirable client outcomes in highly adversarial expert environment. Best analytical lab results and interpretations; excellent complementary experts known. Sophisticated computer process simulations when needed. Latest technology information -- constant chemistry and engineering professional activities -- continuing expert witnessing education, e.g. 2011 SEAK Expert Conference, Naples, FL -- ongoing fascination with chemistry and new developments. Strong IP capability: patent analysis and infringement cases. Consultant’s Alexandria, Virginia location is near the new US Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria and is five miles from the US Circuit Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which handles patent and trademark cases, among certain other subject national appeals.

All chemistry and chemical engineering categories covered: organic & inorganic chemical, specialty chemical, fine & pharmaceutical chemical, coal, oil shale, tar sands, rubber, polymer (plastics), food, paper, metals & materials science matters; facilities accidents (fires & explosions incl cause & origin); process design & construction including computer process simulation & control; operations & maintenance; oil, gas, chemical & energy highway, rail, ship & pipeline transportation; laboratories, manufacturing plants & petroleum refineries; intellectual property (IP) and patent analysis; environmental, health, safety & sustainability (EHS&S) matters; laboratory accidents; environmental & Superfund cases. National (USA) and International assignments.

Education & Licenses

Rice University - B.A.; B.S. Chemical Engineering
M.I.T. - S.M. Chemical Engineering; Sc.D. (Ph.D.) Chemical Engineering

Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E. License Number 36135) - Texas Board of Professional Engineers, Austin, Texas

Memberships:
American Institute of Chemical Engineers (elected to Fellow ‘89 — ca. one percent of membership); American Chemical Society; and American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

Honor Societies:
Tau Beta Pi (Nat’l Engineering HS); Phi Lambda Upsilon (Nat’l Chemistry HS); and Sigma Xi (Nat’l Scientific Research HS).