$0M+
Facility buildout
3,500 ft² space planning, 10 instruments, 50+ trained users
AVAILABLE FOR OPPORTUNITIES
Joseph
Romo.
Materials Scientist · Process Engineer
I engineer thin-film materials, devices, and processes that translate chemistry into practical transparent-conductor, coating, display, and electrothermal technologies. My work spans formulation, scalable processing, device fabrication, characterization, reliability, and manufacturing-facing problem solving.
About
The mind behind the work.
I am a materials scientist and process engineer with a Ph.D. in Chemistry, working across functional materials, thin-film devices, and manufacturing-facing process development. My work translates materials chemistry into transparent conductors, coatings, display-relevant films, and electrothermal systems by connecting formulation, scalable processing, device fabrication, characterization, reliability, and application-level performance.
My background spans academic research, industrial coatings, display materials, startup commercialization, and research-infrastructure leadership. Across these settings, I have worked on ink and coating formulation, thin-film deposition, optical/electrical/thermal characterization, device engineering, reliability testing, root-cause analysis, manufacturing support, and cross-functional technical communication.
These experiences connect to advanced materials, semiconductor-adjacent processing, display technologies, optical films, consumer electronics, coatings, and manufacturing scale-up.
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Years R&D experience
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Publications
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Presentations
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Patent filing
Technical Expertise
Technical range with manufacturing depth.
My background spans formulation, thin-film processing, characterization, device testing, process engineering, and cross-functional execution across academic, startup, and industrial environments.
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Material cost reduction
High-RI OLED ink formulation strategy
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Rework reduction
In-plant coating adjustment tool deployed in 3 months
$0M+
OEM product launch
Year-one launch impact for industrial coating system
Process engineering & manufacturing
Structured troubleshooting, process optimization, and manufacturing-facing problem solving across R&D, scale-up, and production environments.
Root-cause analysis (RCA)Statistical Process Control (SPC)Design of Experiments (DoE)Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA)8D Problem SolvingFive WhysPareto analysisWeibull analysisLean principles/TPSContinuous improvement (Kaizen)Manufacturing supportYield improvementCost reduction
Coatings, inks & formulation
Functional inks, industrial coatings, optical films, color control, rheology, and scale-up.
Coating formulationWaterborne systemsUV-curable inksSol-gel chemistryNanocompositesPigment dispersionRheology controlViscosity modificationSurface finishingGloss/haze/appearanceColor science (CIELAB/CMC)ASTM/ISO protocolsAccelerated weathering (UV, Humidity, Freeze-thaw)
Thin-film & scalable processing
Solution processing and scalable deposition of functional materials and device layers.
Ultrasonic spraySlot-dieRoll-to-rollInkjetSpin coatingSubstrate treatment (plasma, UV-ozone)Cleanroom protocolsRadiation curingBar (Mayer) coatingVapor deposition (PVD/CVD)Selective patterning
Characterization & metrology
Optical, thermal, structural, chemical, and surface characterization for materials and devices.
AFM/STMSEM/TEMUV-VisEllipsometryFTIR/RamanXRDGIWAXSDSC/TGAProfilometry (Stylus/Optical)Contact angleElectrochemical analysis (CV, CA)Thermal imaging
Device testing & reliability
Electrical and electrothermal characterization of transparent conductors and flexible devices.
PotentiostatFour-point probeVan der PauwSource meterProbe stationHall effectSheet resistance mappingWafer uniformity testingElectromechanical testing for flex devices (fatigue, hardness, tensile)Accelerated Life Testing (ALT) via IPC standards
Data, automation & design
Analysis, modeling, visualization, instrumentation control, and facility/design workflows.
ExcelPythonOriginLabJMP/MinitabMATLABMathematicaLabVIEWSQLAutoCADInventorSolidWorksDatacolorSAP ERP
Featured Work
Selected projects.
Selected research, engineering, instrumentation, and product-development work.
Featured
High-Temperature Transparent Polymer Heater
Invented a transparent all-polymer Joule-heater platform enabled by solution-processable n-PBDF, combining optical transparency, low haze, scalable coating, and high-temperature electrothermal operation.
n-PBDFTransparent ConductorsJoule HeatingThin Films
Explore projectFeatured
Research Instrumentation Facility Buildout
Directed a $5M+ multi-instrument research facility buildout, leading space planning, vendor coordination, equipment deployment, SOP development, user training, and research operations.
InstrumentationFacility BuildoutProject LeadershipCharacterization
Explore project
DSM Energy Solar Startup
Co-founded a solar-energy startup focused on scalable perovskite photovoltaic materials, flexible module manufacturing, and commercialization strategy.
StartupPerovskitesSlot-Die CoatingCommercialization
Explore project
GatorCase Mobile Accessories Startup
Built an early entrepreneurial venture around mobile accessories, learning customer discovery, product positioning, branding, operations, and execution.
EntrepreneurshipBusiness DevelopmentCustomer DiscoveryOperations
Explore project
Visible-Light Photocatalysis for Water Splitting
Studied metal-free, visible-light-active conjugated polymer photocatalysts for water splitting and developed a low-cost hydrogen detection workflow.
PhotocatalystsHydrogen DetectionArduinoAnalytical Instrumentation
Explore project
Molecular Self-Assembly via Alkene Metathesis
Synthesized porous organic macrocycles by using molecular geometry to guide pentagonal assembly through dynamic covalent (DCvC) alkene metathesis chemistry.
Alkene MetathesisMacrocyclesOrganic SynthesisSupramolecular Chemistry
Explore project
Regioselective Functionalization of Cyclodextrins
Studied selective deprotection and functionalization strategies for protected α-cyclodextrin derivatives during an NSF International REU project in Paris.
CyclodextrinsSupramolecular ChemistryOrganic SynthesisNSF iREU
Explore projectExperience
Where I've worked.
Nov 2020 — May 2026
Graduate Research Assistant & Lab Facility Lead
Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette, IN
Invented a transparent all-polymer heater platform enabled by an n-type conducting polymer (n-PBDF), leading the project end-to-end through materials development, ink formulation, and thin-film processing and device fabrication. Concurrently directed a $5M+ departmental research facility buildout, balancing academic research with cross-functional project management and safety leadership.
- Integrated the transparent all-polymer heater (150+ °C, 85% T) into smart glass and flexible wearables (e.g., ski/motorcycle goggles), resulting in a first-author publication and provisional patent.
- Developed an eco-friendly n-PBDF ink and optimized ultrasonic spray parameters to coat large-area (~1 ft²) films with low surface roughness (<2 nm Rq), high transmittance (>90% T), and electrical conductivity (>3,000 S/cm).
- Directed a $5M+ research facility buildout encompassing 3,500 ft² of space planning, vendor negotiations with 6 suppliers, and the deployment of 10 analytical instruments.
- Trained 50+ interdisciplinary users, implemented SOPs, and served as lab safety lead for 5+ years, achieving 0 injuries or near-misses.
- Co-authored 7 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to $1M in sponsored research funding across 3 proposals.
May 2022 — Aug 2022
Graduate R&D Intern / NSF-GEM Employer Fellow
3M Company — Display Materials & Systems DivisionMaplewood, MN
Drove formulation and cost-reduction initiatives for next-generation OLED manufacturing as an NSF-GEM Employer Fellow. Focused on the experimental design, screening, and validation of inkjet-printable, UV-curable nanocomposite inks.
- Synthesized, formulated, and characterized high-refractive-index sol-gel and nanocomposite inks, reducing material costs by up to 90% while meeting technical targets.
- Designed and executed statistically driven experiments (DoE) to accelerate the R&D cycle and efficiently screen across multiple formulation variables.
- Produced optically clear films on flexible PET substrates utilizing conveyor-driven radiation curing systems, validating performance against optical clarity and refractive-index benchmarks.
- Presented experimental results weekly to ~30 cross-functional stakeholders across R&D, NPI, and customer-facing teams to align on technical priorities, risks, and launch milestones.
Jun 2018 — Aug 2020
Associate Chemist & Scientist
Axalta Coating Systems — Industrial Wood DivisionFridley, MN
Led formulation, scale-up, and manufacturing support for waterborne coatings in the industrial wood sector. Acted as the technical bridge between R&D and large-scale manufacturing, optimizing yields, driving root-cause investigations, and supporting commercial product launches.
- Served as lead technical contact for ColorPlus®, a ~$50M/year flagship product; led root-cause investigations into escalated batch issues and co-developed an in-plant tool that reduced rework by 50% in 3 months.
- Designed and executed multi-factor Design of Experiments (DoE) to systematically optimize coating formulations and identify key process input variables (KPIV) governing yield, performance, and durability.
- Drove the launch of UNRIVALED®, an OEM coating that achieved $15M+ in year-one sales.
- Identified, validated, and implemented a strategic formulation change that reduced annual input costs by 5% for a core product without compromising quality.
- Validated product durability via ASTM testing under weathering, chemical, and mechanical stress conditions.
Aug 2021 — Nov 2022
Founding Member, Research Scientist & Chief Marketing Officer
DSM EnergyWest Lafayette, IN
Co-founded a solar-energy startup focused on scalable perovskite photovoltaic materials. Directed the dual mandate of developing scalable deposition processes for flexible module manufacturing while leading the company's commercialization strategy and investor relations.
- Developed scalable slot-die and roll-to-roll deposition pathways of lead-halide perovskite materials for flexible module manufacturing.
- Achieved 23% cell efficiency and 10,000 hours of continuous stable operation, with projected operational stability exceeding 10 years.
- Shaped technical storytelling, market strategy, and commercialization planning to secure $200K in seed funding.
- Led the company to be selected as a semifinalist in the U.S. DOE’s $3M Perovskite Startup Prize.
Leadership
Building teams, systems, and research infrastructure.
Graduate outreach
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) Graduate Director
Developed programming and outreach to engage Purdue's broader STEM graduate community, a pool of ~10,000 eligible students, helping double active graduate participation within 4 months.
Safety systems & lab operations
Laboratory Safety Lead
Represented a ~20-member research group for 5+ years; implemented SOPs, hazard training, and monthly audits, contributing to 0 injuries or near-misses.
Mentorship, presentations & user training
Mentorship & Research Training
Mentored undergraduate researchers, supported symposium presentations, and trained 50+ interdisciplinary facility users on SOPs and instrument workflows.
Education
How I keep learning.
Aug 2020 — Apr 2026
Ph.D. in Chemistry
Purdue UniversityWest Lafayette, IN
Doctoral research focused on solution-processable organic optoelectronic materials, transparent conductors, thin-film devices, and electrothermal characterization.
Honors & Fellowships
NSF-GEM Employer FellowAGEP ScholarDissertation: Scalable n-Doped Conjugated Polymer Films
Aug 2014 — May 2018
B.A. in Chemistry
Macalester CollegeSaint Paul, MN
Undergraduate training in chemistry with research experience in organic synthesis, molecular self-assembly, cyclodextrin functionalization, and functional molecular systems.
Honors & Fellowships
Catharine Lealtad ScholarshipDeWitt Wallace ScholarshipNSF International REU FellowCapstone: The Assembly of Carbon Macrocycles through Alkene Metathesis
Certifications & Training
2025
Introduction to Strategy Consulting
Boston Consulting Group (BCG) via Forage
Completed a strategy consulting virtual experience focused on problem structuring, business analysis, and client-facing recommendation development.
Scholarly Output
Selected publications.
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Citations
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h-index
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i10-index
Article metrics* via OpenAlex · Last updated May 2026. Google Scholar and other sources may report different totals due to broader indexing.
High-Temperature Transparent Polymer Heater Based on n-Doped Poly(benzodifurandione)
Joseph A. Romo, Won-June Lee, Aalok Gaitonde, Liyan You et al.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces • 2026
First-authorPeer-reviewedACS AMICover featurePatent-linked
View journal articleScalable and Robust n-Doped Conjugated Polymer Films and Devices for Transparent Heating and Electrode Applications
Joseph A. Romo
Purdue University Graduate School • 2026
Dissertationn-PBDFTransparent Conductors
High-Performance Low-Emissivity Paints Enabled by N-Doped Poly(benzodifurandione) (n-PBDF) for Energy-Efficient Buildings
X. Liu, W. Lee, D. W. Carne, Y. Tian, A. Felicelli, Y. Li, Joseph A. Romo et al.
Advanced Functional Materials • 2026
Co-authorPeer-reviewedn-PBDFLow-e Paints
View journal articleEnabling ITO-Free Perovskite Solar Cells through n-Doped Poly(benzodifurandione) (n-PBDF) Electrodes
P. Kumar, W.-J. Lee, Y. Tang, H. Yang, W. Xu, P. Rout, L. You, Joseph A. Romo et al.
EES Solar • 2025
Co-authorPeer-reviewedn-PBDFPerovskites
View journal articleEffective LSTMs with Seasonal-Trend Decomposition and Adaptive Learning and Niching-Based Backtracking Search Algorithm for Time Series Forecasting
Y. Wu, X. Meng, J. Zhang, Y. He, Joseph A. Romo, Y. Dong, D. Lu
Expert Systems with Applications • 2024
Co-authorPeer-reviewedAI/ML
View journal articleCircularly Recyclable Polymers Featuring Topochemically Weakened Carbon–Carbon Bonds
X. Luo, Z. Wei, B. Seo, Q. Hu, X. Wang, Joseph A. Romo et al.
Journal of the American Chemical Society • 2022
Co-authorPeer-reviewedJACS
View journal articleSelf-Assembly of Pentameric Macrocycles through Alkene Metathesis of Bis(4-vinylbenzene)methyl Derivatives
Joseph A. Romo, D. Cao
Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society • 255 • 2018
First-authorPresentationACSMacrocycles
Selective Functionalization of the Primary Rim of α-Cyclodextrin for Practical Applications
Joseph A. Romo, O. Bistri, M. Sollogoub
Abstracts of Papers of the American Chemical Society • 255 • 2018
First-authorPresentationACSCyclodextrin
Presentations
Research talks, posters, and technical communication.
Selected recent conference presentations, posters, and symposium contributions highlighting my experience communicating technical work across chemistry, materials science, and engineering.
Date
Presentation
Venue
Type
Apr. 10, 2026
Scalable and Robust n-Doped Conjugated Polymer Films and Devices for Transparent Heating and Electrode Applications
Doctoral Dissertation Defense
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Talk
Mar. 20, 2026
High-Performance All-Polymer Transparent Heaters Based on n-Doped Poly(benzodifurandione)
Materials Chemistry Departmental Seminar
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Talk
Nov. 15, 2025
Flexible and Transmissive All-Polymer Heater Based on n-Doped Poly(benzodifurandione)
10th Annual Notre Dame–Purdue Soft Matter & Polymers Symposium
University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
Poster
Oct. 25, 2024
Flexible and Transmissive All-Polymer Heater Based on n-Doped Poly(benzodifurandione)
Black and Arkles Materials Chemistry Symposium
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Poster
Oct. 5, 2024
Flexible and Transmissive All-Polymer Heater Based on n-Doped Poly(benzodifurandione)
9th Annual Notre Dame–Purdue Soft Matter & Polymers Symposium
Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Poster
Jan. 23, 2024
n-PBDF — An Organic Transparent Mixed Conductor to Replace ITO and Understand Its Transport Properties and Durability
Department of Energy Center for Soft PhotoElectroChemical Systems Annual Meeting
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Talk
Sep. 19, 2023
Transport and Durability in n-Type Conducting Polymers
Department of Energy Center for Soft PhotoElectroChemical Systems Annual Meeting
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Talk
Jun. 1–2, 2023
All-Polymeric Flexible and Transparent Joule Heaters
Rising Stars in Printable Electronics Showcase, Office of Naval Research & Department of Defense
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
Talk
Earlier Presentations
9 additional undergraduate and
early research presentations.
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Earlier Presentations
9 additional undergraduate and early research presentations.
Apr. 25, 2018
The Assembly of Carbon Macrocycles through Alkene Metathesis
Senior Capstone Presentation
Macalester College, Saint Paul, MN
Talk
Apr. 21, 2018
The Assembly of Carbon Macrocycles through Alkene Metathesis
MAS Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium
University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN
Poster
Mar. 19–20, 2018
Selective Functionalization of α-Cyclodextrin for Practical Applications
255th American Chemical Society National Meeting
New Orleans, LA
Poster
Mar. 19–20, 2018
The Assembly of Carbon Macrocycles through Alkene Metathesis
255th American Chemical Society National Meeting
New Orleans, LA
Poster
Oct. 6, 2017
The Assembly of Carbon Macrocycles through Alkene Metathesis
Macalester Summer Research Poster Fair
Macalester College, Saint Paul, MN
Poster
Apr. 22, 2017
The Assembly of Carbon Macrocycles through Alkene Metathesis
MAS Winchell Undergraduate Research Symposium
Macalester College, Saint Paul, MN
Poster
Nov. 4–5, 2016
The Assembly of Carbon Macrocycles through Alkene Metathesis
MCMS Undergraduate Research Symposium
Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO
Poster
Oct. 7, 2016
The Assembly of Carbon Macrocycles through Alkene Metathesis
Macalester College SRO Symposium
Macalester College, Saint Paul, MN
Poster
Jul. 20, 2016
The Assembly of Carbon Macrocycles through Alkene Metathesis
ACTC Chemistry Summer Symposium
Bethel University, Saint Paul, MN
Poster
Recognition
Awards & honors.
NSF-GEM Employer Fellow
National GEM Consortium • 3M
AGEP Scholar
Purdue University
NSF International REU Fellow
Sorbonne Université • Paris, France
Perovskite Startup Prize Semifinalist
U.S. Department of Energy • DSM Energy
Eagle Scout
Boy Scouts of America
Media/Press
Videos, interviews & features.
Contact Me
Let's build something.
Email joseph@josephromo.com
Based In
United States