Vivek Patil

110 Corley Building, Auburn University | Auburn, Alabama, USA 36849

vvp0002@auburn.edu | 334-475-6526

EDUCATION

Auburn University | Auburn, Alabama, USA May 2016 – August 2021

Ph.D. Student | Biosystems Engineering

Institute of Chemical Technology | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India July 2009- May 2013
BS, Chemical Engineering
o Senior year project: ‘Manufacturing 300 Tons Per Year of Ethyl Gallate’
o Senior year seminar presentation: ‘Methanation of Carbon Dioxide Captured from the Atmosphere’

WORK EXPERIENCE

Auburn University | Auburn, Alabama, USA May 2016 - Present

Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Biosystems Engineering
• Started a USDA-NIFA project from the beginning to find out the best methods for lignin
depolymerization
• Setting up thermochemical conversion experiments for the valorization of carbonaceous waste
• Facilitated the operations and troubleshooting of analytical lab equipment at ‘Biological
Engineering Research Laboratory’

Indian Institute of Technology | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India May 2015- April 2016
Research Assistant, Tata Center for Technology and Design
• Managed the gasification of garden waste pellets to produce renewable cooking fuels
• Found methods for eliminating tar, soot and clinker formation during Downdraft biomass gasifier
operation
• Characterized garden waste/crop residue to assess the potential for the extraction of energy
• Collaborated in the assessment of waste sand reclamation from the iron foundry industries using
fluidized bed at high temperature with field visits and laboratory experiments

Reliance Industries Limited | Hazira, Gujarat, India July 2013- July 2015
Manager (Production)
• Completed a project on ‘Steam Pressure Optimization for Energy Savings’ that pointed out
potential points of intervention about the cost reduction for the plant
• Spearheaded the decommissioning- commissioning of several process units with a team of ~10
covering ~5 operational units during a maintenance shutdown

Graduate Engineering Trainee

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 • Collaborated with senior engineers at Naphtha Cracker facility in the petrochemical complex for
improving daily plant operations

Reliance Industries Limited | Hazira, Gujarat, India May 2012- July 2012
Summer Intern
• Worked as a summer trainee at Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) plant
• Completed a project on ‘Elimination of Unreacted Vinyl Chloride Monomer from PVC End-
product’
• Assessed feasibility of a ‘unit-operation’ based intervention quantitatively for product quality
improvement

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Auburn University | Auburn, Alabama, USA May 2016 - Present

Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Biosystems Engineering
• Teaching classes and grading exams, ‘Biological and Bioenvironmental Heat and Mass Transfer’,
BSEN 2240 (Core Course)’, 53 undergraduate/ graduate students (Spring 2019)
• Grading exams, ‘Renewable Energy in Biosystems Process Operations’, BSEN5260, 28
undergraduate/ graduate students (Spring 2019)
• Assisted in teaching lab sessions for Biomass and Biofuels Engineering, BSEN 6540 (Spring 2018)
• Taught a guest-lecture for the class ‘Environmental Ethics’ on the topic ‘Practicing Environmental
Ethics’ to a group of ~30 undergraduate/ graduate students (Fall 2017)

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

ORCiD-ID: 0000-0003-3381-6498

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., & Cross, P. (2018). Co-Pyrolysis Of Lignin And Plastics Using Red Clay As
Catalyst In A Micro-Pyrolyzer. Bioresource Technology, 270, 311–319.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2018.09.034

• Shanmugam SR, Adhikari S, Nam H, Patil V. Adsorption and Desorption Behavior of Herbicide
Using Bio-Based Materials. Trans ASABE 2019;62:1435–45.
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.13031/trans.13255.

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., & Cross, P. Progress in The Solvent Depolymerization of Lignin (Submitted
to 'Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews')

• Patil, V. & Adhikari, S.,'The Role of In-Situ Hydrogen Donor Solvents in The Solvent Liquefaction
of Lignin', Vivek Patil, Sushil Adhikari (In Preparation)

• Patil, V. & Adhikari, S., 'Effect Of Phenolation Pretreatment On Lignin Depolymerization', (In

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 Preparation)

• Cross, P. Adhikari, S., & Patil, V., 'Effect Of Age And Bark On Pyrolysis Of Biomass', (In
Preparation)

• Cross, P. Adhikari, S., & Patil, V., 'Pyrolysis Of Organosolv And Ionic Liquid Extracted Lignin', (In
Preparation)

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., 2019. A “Radical” Approach to Lignin Depolymerization: Converting Plant-
Based Lignin into Monomers at Mild Conditions Using the Phenol Radicals, in: Auburn University
Graduate Engineering Research Showcase, Auburn, Alabama, USA (November 7, 2019).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., 2019. Waste No More: Improving The Selectivity Of Lignin
Depolymerization Into Phenolic Monomers With Phenol-redistribution mechanism, in: Auburn
University College of Agriculture Research Showcase, Auburn, Alabama, USA (October 23, 2019).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., 2019. Solvolysis Of Lignin Using Biomass-Derived Green Solvents, in:
Science and Engineering for a Biobased Industry and Economy, Golden, Colorado, USA (July 29,
2019).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., Cross, P., 2019. Sustainable Chemicals Using Waste Resources: Synergistic
Effects in Co-pyrolysis of Lignin and Plastics (Energy Systems POSTER SESSION), in: Annual
International Meeting (AIM) of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers,
Boston, Massachusetts, USA (July 9, 2019).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., Cross, P., 2019. Co-Pyrolysis of Lignin and Plastics Using Red Clay as
Catalyst in a Micropyrolyzer, in: Annual International Meeting (AIM) of the American Society of
Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Boston, Massachusetts, USA (July 8, 2019).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., Cross, P., 2019. Sustainable Fuels with Recycling: Co-Pyrolysis of Plastics and
Lignin With Locally Sourced Red-Clay Catalyst, in: Auburn University “This Is Research” Student
Symposium, Auburn, Alabama, USA (April 9, 2019).

• Patil, V., 2018. Chemical Recycling of Plastics: Towards Zero Waste, in: Auburn University Annual
3 Minute Thesis Competition, Auburn, Alabama, USA (November 13, 2018).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., Cross, P., 2018. Sustainable Fuels With Recycling: Co-pyrolysis of Lignin and
Plastics Using Red Clay Catalyst, in: Auburn University College of Agriculture Research
Symposium, Ph.D. Category (Sustainable Ecosystems and Renewable Resource Management),

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 Auburn, Alabama, USA (October 25, 2018).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., Cross, P., 2018. Chemical Recycling of Waste: Synergistic Effects in Co-
pyrolysis of Lignin and Plastics, in: Auburn University College of Engineering Graduate Research
Symposium, Auburn, Alabama, USA (October 24, 2018).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., Cross, P., 2018. Fast Catalytic Co-pyrolysis of Lignin and Plastics in Presence
of Low-cost Red Clay Catalyst, in: Thermal & Catalytic Sciences Symposium (TCS), Auburn,
Alabama, USA, October 8, 2018.

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., Ramiah Shanmugam, S., Nam, H., Shakya, R., 2018. Role of in-situ hydrogen
donor in lignin valorization for renewable fuels and chemicals, in: Annual International Meeting
(AIM) of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Detroit, Michigan, USA
(July 31, 2018).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., Cross, P., 2018. Sustainable Fuels With Recycling: Co-pyrolysis of Lignin and
Plastics Using Red Clay Catalyst, in: Auburn University “This Is Research” Student Symposium,
Auburn, Alabama, USA (March 26, 2018).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., 2018. Plastic Waste Pyrolysis: Creating a “Circular Economy,” in: Auburn
University Annual CEGS Finish in Five Competition, Auburn, Alabama, USA (March 22, 2018).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., 2017. Utilization of Paper Industry Waste in a Biorefinery, in: Auburn
University Graduate Engineering Research Showcase, Auburn, Alabama, USA (November 9, 2017).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., 2017. Utilization of paper industry waste in a biorefinery, in: Auburn
University College of Agriculture Research Symposium, Ph.D. Category (Sustainable Ecosystems
and Renewable Resource Management), Auburn, Alabama, USA (October 26, 2017).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., 2017. Hydrothermal liquefaction of lignin for production of biofuels and
chemicals (Applied Science and Engineering POSTER Session), in: Annual International Meeting
(AIM) of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, Spokane, Washington,
USA (July 19, 2017).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., 2017. Hydrothermal liquefaction of lignin for production of biofuels and
chemicals, in: Auburn University “This Is Research” Student Symposium, Auburn, Alabama, USA
(April 13, 2017).

• Patil, V., Adhikari, S., 2016. Hydrothermal liquefaction of lignin for chemicals and fuels, in: Auburn
University College of Agriculture Research Showcase, Auburn, Alabama, USA (October 27, 2016).
• Patil, V., 2016. Thermal energy from urban garden waste, in: ‘Th International Conference on

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 Sustainable Municipal Solid Waste Processing Technology for Developing Nations’, Surat, Gujarat,
India (February 18, 2016).

• Pradhan, P., Patil, V., 2016. Biomass Briquetting – A Technology for Sustainable Rural
Development, in: International Conference on Agribusiness in Emerging Economies, Institute of
Rural Management, Anand, Gujarat, India (January 16, 2016).

AWARDS & HONORS

• Pitched for and won $2000 in grant award through ‘The Greenhouse Initiative’ to reduce the
plastic waste on Auburn University campus | Auburn, Alabama, USA | 2018, 2019
o Initiated a pilot-project to introduce reusable food containers in a dining facility on the
campus for a group of ~80 students (2018)
o Initiated a pilot-project for the use of ‘plastic-free kit’ with the members of ‘Society
of Hispanic Professional Engineers- Auburn University Chapter’ to reduce the
plastic waste on campus (2019 - 2020)

• Recipient of prestigious ‘Woltosz Fellowship’ | Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA |

2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
o As a cohort of students receiving this fellowship, every year we meet with Auburn
University alumni to learn from their experience

• Secured $50,000 funding for exploring plant-based renewable chemicals through 'Agriculture
Research Enhancement, Exploration, and Development (AgR-SEED)' program, made
available by 'Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station' (established in 1883) | Auburn
University, Auburn, Alabama, USA | 2019

• Won $863 travel grant for presenting the research on lignin depolymerization at the
'Multistate Committee Annual Meeting and the Symposium on Science and Technology
Driving the Bioeconomy' at Golden, Colorado, USA | 2019.

• 2nd prize in Auburn University College of Agriculture Graduate Research Showcase

(Sustainable Resource Management, Ph.D. Category) | Auburn, Alabama, USA | 2019

• 1st prize in Auburn University College of Agriculture Graduate Research Showcase

(Sustainable Resource Management, Ph.D. Category) | Auburn, Alabama, USA | 2018

• 1st prize from the department (Biosystems Engineering), Auburn University Graduate
Engineering Research Showcase, Auburn, Alabama, USA | 2019

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• 1st prize from the department (Biosystems Engineering), Auburn University Graduate
Engineering Research Showcase, Auburn, Alabama, USA | 2018

• Finalist (Top 10), Auburn University Three Minute Thesis Competition | Auburn, Alabama, USA
| 2018

• Finalist (Top 8), Auburn University Finish in Five Competition | Auburn, Alabama, USA | 2018

• Selected among ‘Top 12 Finalists’ for the ‘Frank Sturm Memorial Fellowship’ for
multidisciplinary research at Auburn University | Auburn, Alabama, USA | 2019

SKILLS

• Competent with software and tools: Mendeley, Minitab, R, Bruker TopSpin, Chematix, MS Office,
ChemDraw

• Familiar with software and programming languages: Aspen Plus, HTRI Suite, ANSYS, Python, C,
Scilab

• Laboratory Analytical Instruments: GC-MS, GC-FID, NMR (31P, 1H, 13C, 2D-HSQC),
Elemental Analyzer, XRD, XRF, ICP-AES, TAN, TOC, TGA, HPLC, Karl-Fischer Titration.

• Laboratory Analytical Techniques: Biomass Compositional Analysis, Biomass Proximate

Analysis, Biomass Derivatization (Acetylation, Phosphorylation), Viscosity Measurement,
NMR sample preparation

• Laboratory Procedures: Pyrolysis, Hydrothermal Liquefaction, High-pressure Reactors,

Furnace Operations, Separation Processes (Rotary Evaporation, Centrifugation, Vacuum
Filtration, Decantation, Acid Precipitation), Safety Precautions, Safety Protocol
Development, Inventory Management, Hazardous Gases Monitoring

PROFESSIONAL STUDENT MEMBERSHIPS

• American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers (ASABE) | 2017- present

• Association of Agricultural, Biological and Food Engineers of Indian Origin (AABFEIO) |
2020 – present
• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) | 2018-2020
o Graduate Membership (USA)
o Auburn University Student Chapter Leader

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• Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) | 2018- 2019
o Waste-To-Energy Technical Division
o Alabama Chapter

UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

• Peer reviewer, Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy (A publication of the ‘American
Institute of Chemical Engineers’), Composite Science and Technology

• Fundraising and Philanthropy Chair, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers- Auburn

University Chapter (2018 - 2019)
o Represented the organization at various events on the campus
o Initiated efforts to increase participation in the organization’s events
o Started initiatives to attract new members for the organization

• Secretary, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers- Auburn University Chapter (2019 - 2020)
o Served as the board member to organize events on campus for community building
o Coordinated logistics and public relations for the events

• Panel Member, Panel Discussion on the documentary ‘Trashed’ at Auburn University,

Auburn, Alabama, USA | October 18, 2018
o Other members of the panel included Dr. Michael Greene (Associate Professor,
Auburn University), Carlton Lay (Assistant Professor, Auburn University), and Joan
Hicken (Manager, Recycle & Waste Reduction at Auburn University)

• Contributor, Engineering For Change (www.engineeringforchange.org) | 2017- present

o I write content about waste treatment and renewable energy

• Volunteer, Gameday Recycling, Participated in outreach to improve the waste recycling on

campus with the Waste Reduction and Recycling department | Auburn University, Auburn,
Alabama, USA | 2016, 2017, 2018

• Volunteer, Green Game, Helped to spread awareness about waste segregation on the
campus with the ‘Office of Sustainability’ | Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, USA |
2017, 2018

• Volunteer, The Campus Kitchen Project at Auburn University, Helped in the recovery and
redistribution of unserved food from on-campus dormitories and off-campus restaurants |
Auburn, Alabama, USA | 2018

• Volunteer, ‘Be Waste Wise’ (www.wastewise.be) | 2017- present

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 o Coordinated group-viewing sessions for online panel discussions arranged by the
organization
o Identified and reached out to potential panel members all around the world
o Collaborated with organizations around the world for building partnerships
o Produced making video-excerpts of online-webinars, panel discussions, and interviews for
the effective dissemination of knowledge

• Event coordinator, Samaritans Helpline | Mumbai, India | 2011 - 2013

o Received training on listening skills to take calls for the ‘Suicide Prevention Helpline’
o Coordinated events in Mumbai, India for awareness and training for the cause.

• Member, Sarth Initiative, community-based philanthropy service | 2018 – present

• Design Secretary, Technological Association (TA)- Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai,

India | 2011-2012
o Managed various events organized by the student body of the institute in the capacity of a
member of the student’s official council.

• Organizing Committee Member, ‘Sportsaga’, Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai, India |

2010- 2011
o Designed outreach strategies for the events

EXTRACURRICULAR

• Participant, ‘Nirman- A Youth Initiative’, a social sensitization program initiated ‘Society for
Education, Action and Research in Community Health’ (SEARCH), Maharashtra, India |
2015- 2016
o Selected among a group of ~80 participants from applicants all over India | 2015-
2016

• 1st prize, Standup-Comedy Contest, Reliance Industries Limited, Gujarat, India | 2013

• 1st prize, Debate, ‘Yuvam- A Cultural Festival’ at Institute of Chemical Technology,

Maharashtra, India | 2011 and 2012

LANGUAGES

• Full Professional Proficiency: English, Hindi, Marathi

• Elementary Proficiency: Spanish, Urdu