Chinmay Kulkarni
Manchester,UK
Summary
Crystallisation scientist with a strong background in mineral extraction and sustainable process development. Expertise in conducting lab-scale experiments and technical report writing. Proven ability to communicate complex results effectively to stakeholders. Experienced in dynamic start-up environments
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Crystallisation Scientist
Watercycle Technologies
Manchester, UK
2022.09 - 2026.03
- Successfully planned and conducted lab-scale experiments for mineral extraction and hydrometallurgical processes; building on different pathways such as ion exchange, crystallization, solid-liquid separation and adsorption-desorption. Effectively communicated technical results to stakeholders, enabling critical decisions to be made for future technical research and commercial projects.
- Both supported, and was the intellectual drive for projects related to battery shred and black mass recycling of critical minerals as lithium, nickel, manganese, cobalt, iron, aluminium and copper using similar processes of ion exchange and crystallisation showing clear skill transfer between processes.
- Supported pilot-scale and commercial scale process development by conducting crystallization experiments for the ton scale production of lithium, calcium, magnesium and sodium salts using industrial wastewater, geothermal brines and salt lake aquifers.
- Demonstrated application based analytical chemistry work by characterisation of various lab, pilot and commercial scale products using XRD, FTIR, SEM and ICP-OES.
- Self starter who has thrived in a dynamic start-up culture as one of its early members, performing various tasks inside and outside the technical sphereallowing for growth of the company.
International student ambassador
University of Manchester
Manchester
2021.09 - 2022.09
- Helped in organising orientation programmes to ease integration of foreign students into the UK education system.
- Participated actively in recruitment events across Asia, particulary India, promoting the benefits of studying in the UK broadly.
- Served as liaison between international students and university staff, ensuring clear communication on both ends.
- Facilitated smooth transition for new students by providing comprehensive campus tours.
Education
MSc - Subsurface Energy Engineering
University of Manchester
Manchester, UK 2021.01 - 2022.01
B.Tech - Chemical Engineering
Manipal Institute of Technology
Udupi, India 2017.01 - 2021.01
Skills
- Analytical Chemistry (Physical and Chemical characterisation)
- Crystallisation Processes (Lab, pilot and commercial scale)
- Research targeted to industrial scale-up
- Lab Techniques
- Technical Report Writing
- Communication skills (technical to commercial)
- MS Office
- Familiar with Start-up environment
Certification
- Google: Foundations of Project Management | Project Initiation | Project Completion
- Duke University: Oil & Gas Operations & Markets
LANGUAGES
English (Fluent)
Hindi (Fluent)
Marathi (Native)
PROJECTS
- MSc Dissertation: Simulated CO₂ + cold water injection into aquifers using MATLAB (IMPES) and PETREL.,
- B.Tech Dissertation: Molecular dynamics simulation of LiTFSI electrolytes using Schrodinger.,
- Science communication channel on Instagram to promote scientific thinking: thecommonman__25
Affiliations
- Long distance running and weight training
- Science communication
- Reading
- Travelling
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Crystallisation Scientist
Watercycle Technologies
2022.09 - 2026.03
International student ambassador
University of Manchester
2021.09 - 2022.09
MSc - Subsurface Energy Engineering
University of Manchester
2021.01 - 2022.01
B.Tech - Chemical Engineering
Manipal Institute of Technology
2017.01 - 2021.01