BIO

Nikhil is a Corporate Fellow in SABIC’s Corporate Technology and Innovation (T&I) organization.  He is largely responsible for their strategic Polymer related activities which includes incubating new platforms and products, assessing key industrial partnerships and potential acquisitions, establishing critical external university relationships with a special emphasis on KSA.  Last but certainly not least, mentoring and championing the T&I talent pipeline. 

In late 2020, he accepted the additional role of Adjunct Professor at Rice University’s department of Material Science and NanoEngineering (with Prof. Ajayan Pullickel – Department Head).

Nikhil completed his M.S. & Ph.D. at Virginia Tech in Material Science and Engineering in 1999, followed by a post-doctoral fellowship, at Virginia Tech under the guidance of Prof. J. J. Lesko in Engineering Science and Mechanics.

His technical contributions include the development of a new platform on Advanced Composites (includes the launch of UDMAXTM, a continuous fiber tape reinforced thermoplastic resin).  He spent 3 years (2015-2018) in The Netherlands where together with his team, was responsible for setting up SABIC’s Advanced Composites Center of Excellence in Geleen.

Nikhil has published Chapters in 4 books, 51 peer reviewed journal papers and 89 conference contributions including several invited talks. He has also contributed to 50 filed and granted patents.

Prior to joining SABIC in 2012, Nikhil’s industrial career spanned 12 years at The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) where he was responsible for creating and launching FORTEGRATM, a new family of rubber toughening technologies for epoxy and epoxy vinylester based thermosets and VORAFORCETM, a brand-new family of formulated Epoxy and Polyurethane systems designed to address the needs of composite fabricators serving the Automotive, Renewable Energy & Building and Construction markets.  

Nikhil currently serves on the Industrial Advisory Board of Virginia Tech’s Macromolecules Innovation Institute (MII) and recently, at ASU’s Biodesign Center for Sustainable Macromolecular Materials and Manufacturing.

Presentation Topic: Thermoplastic Composite Solutions for Energy Transition