1. Andrew S. Mereness
Email: amarinus11@yahoo.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-mereness/b/270/90b
Phone: 303-501-7855
950 Juniper Hills Ln, Parachute, CO 81635
Career Summary
Research chemist with 13 years of experience developing and implementing innovative
technologies, with a primary focus on composite materials development, electrochemical devices,
and gas phase catalysis
Work Experience
Research Chemist 2000-2014
Eltron Research and Development, Boulder, Colorado
Successful Development ofNewTechnologies
 Improved the strength of PETI-330 resins cured outside of an autoclave by 20%. Peti-330 cure
results in evolved gasses at atmospheric pressures found outside an autoclave, filling composite
parts with strength-reducing voids, like Swiss cheese. The patentable technology removed these
gasses,resulting in a lower void volume for the finished part.
 Co-invented and characterized a monatomic oxygen resistant, semi-transparent and conductive
film (Conductran™) for use in Multi-Layer Insulation blankets for the space industry.
Incorporation of carbon particles into state-of-the-art electrostatic discharge (ESD) films results
in a solid black color. Several patentable discoveries were made that allowed the incorporation
different conductive material(s) without the loss of the film’s mechanical properties.
 Designed and implemented a reactor for gas-to-liquids catalyst testing which was able to control
flows of 15 sccm (standard cubic centimeters per minute) at 200°C through a 500 psi pressure
drop for less than $3,000 in equipment costs. A senior scientist developed a catalyst, but wished
to control gas flows through the test reactor. On hand equipment included surplus mass flow
controllers that were two orders of magnitude too large, and pressure regulators that were three
orders too large. Perseverance,ingenuity, and technical expertise resulted in a usable test reactor
system.
 Prevented employee exposure to chemical vapors, kept vapors below ignition concentrations and
prevented contamination of finished Conductran™ films with dust particles using an engineered
enclosure. Cure of the Conductran ™ films results in the liberation of flammable organic vapors.
Engineered and fabricated a ventilated dust control enclosure and film casting booth to ensure
quality and prevent mishaps.
 Co-invented a hybrid Lithium battery capacitor device intended for use on Mars that
outperformed commercial devices by 10%. Mars’s surface is cold, but substantial heating of
equipment can occur during daylight hours, rendering conventional electrolytes unusable.
Suitable materials and fabrication methods were developed and tested to overcome the limitations
of conventional electrolytes. The team accomplished a substantial portion of the work with
unpaid overtime, ensuring a successfuloutcome.

2. Key Skills
Electrical: Setup and wiring of electronic control hardware;; soldering; multimeters
Materials handling: machine shop experience; Drybox; Cryogenics; Environmental test chambers;
Composite materials manufacture and characterization
Instrumentation: Custom reactor setup and operation; Arbin battery testing equipment; HP dataloggers;
Keithley electrometers; Instron mechanical test rigs; Fast and accurate use of measuring tools
such as pipettors, laboratory scales,and micrometers; Gas Chromatographs; UV-VIS, FTIR,
DSC, TGA, TMA, BET
Microscopy: Opticalmicroscopy; Colorview III soft imaging system (camera) with Olympus soft
imaging solutions software; Sample polishing; SEM sample prep; XRD sample prep; Microscope
photography
Wet Chemistry: Acid digestion; Titration; Dilution; Distillation; Water analysis; Chemical waste
handling and disposal
Computer and other skills: Data reduction and presentation with statistical analysis using Excel;
Generation of documents in report-ready format using MS Word; Solidworks; Research,
procurement, and assembly of custom computer systems (AMD and Intel), 8/15 is the most
recent; Windows 95 thru Windows 10; Setup and use of Linux computers; Training; Technical
writing; SOP generation
Essential Knowledge and Application ofResearch and Development Processes
Lithium Cell Manufacture and Characterization: As part of a team effort, codeveloped and
characterized a battacitor device with a non-standard electrolyte for use under conditions found
on Mars
Composite Materials: As part of a team effort,tested novel epoxy composites for use in the International
Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).
Microscopy: Developed a method for post-run catalyst particle analysis utilizing microscopy. Automated
particle counting process.
Materials Handling: Knowledge and application of safe handling practices of toxic and flammable
materials. Experience conducting work in the drybox environment.
Analytical Chemistry: Used instrumentation and techniques for quantitative and qualitative chemical
analysis.
Electrical/Electronics: Rewired an industrial kiln for use with a programmable temperature controller.
Familiar with safe practices for working with high voltage/high current systems.
Catalyst Manufacture and Characterization: Co-developed reverse water-gas shift catalyst for use in
the space program, including reactor construction, as well as operation and manufacture of
catalyst pellets.
Education
B.A. Chemistry, English minor, completed December 1999
Western State College, Gunnison, Colorado
Publications
 Fabrication, Evaluation and Radiation Behavior of S2-Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyimide
Laminates for Cryogenic Applications, The Journal of High Performance Polymers,August 2007
 High Service Temperature Polymer Matrix Composite Process Development,Proceedings of the
Society for Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE) October 19, 2009)