Bal K. Khatiwada
PhD Candidate
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK, 74075
Contact Information
107 Physical Science
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK, 74078
Phone: 405-612-5837
E-MAIL: balika.khatiwada@okstate.edu
Research Interests
- Understanding of interfacial properties of polymers at different interfaces
- Reinforsed polymer-based materials
- Polymer composites and nanocomposites
- Polymer characterization
Figure 1. heat flow curves for bulk and adsorbed poly(methyl methacrylate) on silica surface.
Figure 2. Schematic representation of PMMA adsorbed on silica surface showing tightly bound (mB") and loosely bound (mF) polymer.
PUBLICATIONS
Khatiwada B. K.; Blum F. D.; polymer preprint 2011, 320, 20.
Khatiwada B. K.; Hetayothin B.; Blum F.D.; Macromolecular Symposia 2013, 327, 20.
Khatiwada B.K.; Blum F.D.; Heat Capacity Measurements of Adsorbed PMMA on Silica, Under Revision
OBJECTIVE
- Enthusiastic, results-oriented, and creative PhD chemist with expertise in polymer chemistry, surface chemistry, synthesis and characterization of polymer and polymer-composites.
- Seeking a fulltime opportunity to implement skills to positively impact a scientific community.
SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS
- Proved to be competent, creative and innovative research scientist by successfully completing a novel project and discovered interesting physical properties of H-bonded acrylic polymers on silica surface
- Developed strong communication and leadership skills by teaching, mentoring and motivating undergraduates over 5 years as a graduate teaching assistant
- Won the outstanding graduate student award (2013) for excellence earned in graduate program
- Won best poster presentation award in NATAS, De Moines, Iowa
- Strongly involved in teaching undergraduate labs since 2009.
CORE COMPETENCIES AND EXPERTISE
- Experience with synthesis of acrylic polymers by conventional free radical technique.
- Experience with coating formulations of superhydrophobic coatings prepared from diatomaceous earth coupled with fluorosilane coupling agent.
- Extensive knowledge and experience working with different instruments like electron microscopes (Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)), Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC).
- Hands on experience with dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA).
- Significant experience with modeling and fitting of data.
- Extensive knowledge about Microsoft Office.
- Experience with MatLab, and SAS programing.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Philosophy, Polymer Chemistry May 2014
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK GPA: 4.0
Dissertation: Study of interfacial properties of polymer at different interfaces.
Mentor: Frank Blum
Research Focus: Synthesis of polymer nanocomposites, reinforced polymers, and polymer composites, characterize them and study their physical properties.
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal May 2009
Master of Science, Physical Chemistry GPA: 80% (US equivalent A)
Dissertation: determination of fluoride concentration in drinking water by using
iron thiocyanate complex.
Research Focus: Application of spectroscopic techniques to analyze (both qualitatively and quantitatively) the presence of inorganic anions in drinking water.
Tri-Chandra College, Kathmandu, Nepal May 2006
Bachelor of Science, Chemistry GPA: 72% (US equivalent A)
RELATED COURSES
Electron Microscopy (SEM, SEM-EDX, TEM, AFM), Thermodynamics II, Organic Foundation, Inorganic Foundation, Organic Spectroscopy, Solid State NMR, Introduction to Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Physics, Introduction to matlab programming.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Research Assistant: Oklahoma State University August 2009 - May 2014
Advisor: Frank D. Blum
- Prepared nanocomposites of poly(methyl methacrylate) and silica by surface adsorption technique.
- Examined the thermal properties of the nanocomposites such as glass transition temperatures, thermal degradation temperatures etc.
- Studied the surface properties of superhydrophobic coatings made from diatomaceous earth and different polymers by using scanning electron microscopy.
- Measured heat capacities of bulk polymers, silica and their nanocomposites and fitted the data with different models to determine how the surface interactions affected the properties of polymer.
- Gained experience in the synthesis and purification of acrylic polymers by conventional free radical technique.
- Currently, studying the effect of solvent on physical properties of polymers, and polymer adsorbed on surfaces.
- I am also studying the interaction of graphene oxide with different polymers such as Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) etc.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
August 2009 – May 2014
Oklahoma State University
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Taught lab for CHEM 1314 (CHEM1), 1515 (CHEM2), 3015 (CHEM3)
Aug 2008 - May 2009
Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
Teaching Assistant
• Taught lab for CHEM 303 (chemical kinetics and thermodynamics).
• Taught general chemistry for undergraduates.
June 2006–May 2007
Diamond English Medium School
Science Teacher
Taught chemistry for high school students
CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Bal K. Khatiwada and Frank D. Blum, Determination of Amount of Adsorbed Polymer in Silica by Quasi-isothermal Method of Heat Capacity Determination, 56th American Chemical Society Pentasectional Meeting, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, March 12, 2011.
Bal K. Khatiwada and Frank D. Blum, Adsorption and Thermal Properties of PMMA on Silica, 39th Annual Conference of North American Thermal Analysis Society (NATAS), De Moines, Iowa, August 7 - 10, 2011.
Bal K. Khatiwada and Frank D. Blum, Quasi-isothermal Heat Capacity Measurements of Adsorbed PMMA on Silica, 242nd American Chemical Society National Meeting, Denver, Colorado, August 28 - September 1.
Bal K. Khatiwada, Charmaine V. Munroe, and Frank D. Blum, Polymers at Interfaces, Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers, Oklahoma Section Meeting, Stillwater, Oklahoma, February 28, 2013.
Bhishma R. Sedai, Bal K. Khatiwada, Helanka Perera, Abhijit Paul, and Frank D. Blum, Hydrophobic Coatings from Fluoro-silanated Diatomaceous Earth, American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 7 – 11.
Helanka Perera, Bhishma R. Sedai, Bal K. Khatiwada, Abhijit Paul, and Frank D. Blum, Superhydrophobic Polymer Surfaces with Silane-treated Diatomaceous Earth, American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 7 – 11.
Charmaine Munro, Bal K. Khatiwada, and Frank D. Blum, Heat Capacity of Poly(Amino Acids) on Silica, American Chemical Society National Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 7 – 11.
PUBLICATIONS
Khatiwada B. K.; Blum F. D.; polymer preprint 2011, 320, 20.
Khatiwada B. K.; Hetayothin B.; Blum F.D.; Macromolecular Symposia 2013, 327, 20.
Khatiwada B.K.; Blum F.D.; Heat Capacity Measurements of Adsorbed PMMA on Silica, Under Revision
LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES
Involved in Supervising an Undergraduate in Our Research Lab.
Member of Phi Kappa Phi, 2011-2012.
Member of American Chemical Society, 2011 – Present.
Treasure, Nepalese Student Association, August 2011 - May 2012.
Vice-President, Nepalese Student Association, August 2012 - May 2013.
ACADEMIC AWARDS
- O.C. Dermer Award, Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, 2012
- Best Poster Presentation Award, Northern American Thermal Analysis Society (NATAS), 2011
- Graduate Tuition Award, Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, 2006- 2009
- Undergraduate Tuition Scholarship Award, Tri-Chandra College, Kathmandu, 2003-2006
- Outstanding Student Award, Mahendra Morang Multiple Campus, Biratnagar, Nepal, 2001-2003
PERSONAL INTERESTS
Hiking
Travelling Different Places
Fascinated by Natural Beauty
Powerful Nature
