Nima Alizadeh

Materials engineer working where materials, robotics, lab automation, and AI meet.

Bringing 9+ years of materials R&D to autonomous labs, from polymers and additive manufacturing to robotic, high-throughput experimentation that powers AI-driven discovery.

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Ph.D.
Polymer and Fiber Engineering, Auburn
12
Journal articles
169
Citations
25
Conference talks
Portrait of Nima Alizadeh
  1. 2011University of TehranB.Sc.
  2. 2017Auburn UniversityM.S. and Ph.D.
  3. 2021UC Santa BarbaraPostdoc
  4. 2024Saint-GobainR&D
  5. 2026Periodic LabsAutonomous lab

Career so far, drawn as a powder X-ray diffraction pattern: one peak per lab.

Closed-loop autonomous lab A cycle: a model proposes a recipe, robots weigh, mix and fire the powders, XRD and MPMS measure the result, and the data trains the model for the next round. 50+ experiments per day Model proposesa recipeRobots weigh,mix and fireXRD and MPMSmeasureData trainsthe model
How an autonomous materials lab runs: each pass through the loop is one experiment, and the data from every pass makes the next proposal better. This is the work I do at Periodic Labs.

About

Materials engineer with a Ph.D. in Polymer and Fiber Engineering and 9+ years of R&D experience at the intersection of materials, robotics, lab automation, and AI.

Currently, I work as a Materials Lab Specialist at Periodic Labs in Menlo Park, CA, an autonomous lab focused on superconductors. I run high-throughput powder synthesis and characterization, including XRD and MPMS, at 50+ experiments per day to generate training data for materials discovery LLMs, drive lab automation improvements, and build AI agents and skills that capture lab expertise.

Previously at Saint-Gobain ENC, I led development of sustainable high-temperature materials for aviation, aerospace, and automotive applications. As a postdoctoral scholar at UC Santa Barbara, I developed DLP 3D printing resins and block copolymer systems for advanced semiconductor thin-film patterning in collaboration with Tokyo Electron (TEL).

My Ph.D. and M.S. research at Auburn University centered on interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs), achieving a 150% improvement in fracture toughness for transparent, high-impact structural materials, composites, and thermal energy storage systems.

Advanced polymers
IPN synthesis, block copolymers, photocurable resins
Additive manufacturing
DLP, SLA, FDM, and DIW 3D printing
Lab automation and AI
Robotic synthesis, high-throughput workflows, AI agents

Experience

Mar. 2026 – Present

Periodic Labs

Materials Lab Specialist (Contract), Menlo Park, CA

  • Run high-throughput powder synthesis and characterization, including XRD and MPMS, in an autonomous lab focused on superconductors, generating training data for materials discovery LLMs at 50+ experiments per day.
  • Drive lab automation improvements across synthesis and characterization, troubleshooting robotic systems and optimizing process configurations for reliability and throughput.
  • Build AI agents and skills that capture lab expertise and streamline operations, from SOP and documentation writing to powder-specific process and dispensing setup.

Aug. 2024 – Mar. 2026

Independent Consulting & Professional Development

Materials Scientist, AI-Driven Solutions & Technical Consulting

  • Delivered freelance consulting in advanced polymers, manufacturing, and materials development for early-stage projects and R&D teams.
  • Supported AI model development in materials science through data annotation and technical validation at the intersection of materials and machine learning.
  • Pursued certifications in Battery Technologies, PCB Fabrication, Python, Machine Learning Specialization (Stanford/DeepLearning.AI), Additive Manufacturing, and Deep Learning.

Jan. 2024 – Jul. 2024

Saint-Gobain Mobility, ENC

Senior Research Engineer I

  • Developed high-temperature polymer materials delivering >30% improvement in thermal stability, wear resistance, and mechanical flexibility for sealing/insulation in aviation, aerospace, and automotive industries.
  • Hands-on experience with extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, Block-on-Ring, tensile testing, and other methods.
  • Conducted instrument troubleshooting, followed ASTM standards, and contributed to experimental planning and data analysis.

June 2021 – Sept. 2023

University of California, Santa Barbara

Postdoctoral Scholar, Materials Department

  • Developed DLP 3D printing resin enabling surface modification through multilayer polymer electrolytes for electronics, biomedical devices, sensors, and metal ion capture.
  • Designed and synthesized block copolymer materials for selective thin-film deposition for Tokyo Electron (TEL), enabling advanced semiconductor patterning strategies.
  • Utilized 3D printing, spin coating, FTIR, NMR, XPS, AFM, UV-Vis, and Ellipsometry.

Jan. 2017 – May 2021

Auburn University

Graduate Research Assistant (Ph.D.), Center for Polymers and Advanced Composites

  • Synthesized high-performance acrylic-polyurethane graft-IPNs with 150% improvement in fracture toughness and excellent cycling stability (25+ thermal cycles) for structural materials, composites, and thermal energy storage.
  • Processed polymers via compression molding, plastic molding, and 3D printing; characterized using DMA, tensile, DSC, TGA, rheology, and SEM.

Jan. 2017 – Dec. 2018

Auburn University

Graduate Research Assistant (M.S.), Center for Polymers and Advanced Composites

  • Developed and optimized crosslinkable 3D printing inks for direct ink writing (DIW) technology with tunable rheology and high structural fidelity for tissue engineering, orthodontic devices, and organ modeling.

Jan. 2015 – Sept. 2015

University of Tehran

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Studied properties, manufacturing processes, and applications of nano-biocomposites for eco-friendly packaging and agriculture products.

Summer 2013

University of Tehran

Summer Intern

Studied and reviewed the manufacturing process, modification, and behavior of polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

Education

Jan. 2017 – May 2021

Auburn University

Ph.D., Polymer and Fiber Engineering GPA 3.93 / 4.0

Thesis Acrylic-polyurethane based graft-interpenetrating polymer networks for high-performance applications.

Ph.D. research sample or application Ph.D. research sample or application Ph.D. research sample or application Ph.D. research sample or application Ph.D. research sample or application Ph.D. research sample or application Ph.D. research sample or application Ph.D. research sample or application
Read abstract

Acrylic-polyurethane based graft-IPNs were synthesized with excellent transparency and 120% improvement in fracture toughness compared to traditional transparent materials such as PMMA and Polystyrene. IPNs were also utilized as a matrix in carbon fiber-reinforced composites, demonstrating promising results for demanding materials applications.

The stress relaxation behavior of IPNs was modeled using the Prony series and a Generalized Maxwell model using MATLAB and FEniCS. In the final chapter, graft semi-IPNs with excellent thermal properties and shape stability were synthesized for thermal energy storage (TES) applications.

Jan. 2017 – Dec. 2018

Auburn University

M.S., Polymer and Fiber Engineering GPA 3.92 / 4.0

Thesis Crosslinkable 3D printing inks for biomedical applications.

M.S. research: 3D printed sample M.S. research: 3D printed sample M.S. research: 3D printed sample M.S. research: 3D printed sample M.S. research: 3D printed sample M.S. research: 3D printed sample
Read abstract

3D bioprinting could be used in various medical applications such as tissue engineering, organ printing, cell-based sensors, and surgical aids. Hydrogels with alginate and cellulose are good candidates for 3D bioprinting due to high biocompatibility, low toxicity, and suitable mechanical properties. Direct ink writing (DIW) technology was used, showing good structural fidelity.

For orthodontic applications and organ model printing, photocurable polymers were synthesized and printed using UV-assisted DIW. All polymeric systems show proper viscosity and shear-thinning behavior, with high structural fidelity and good thermal properties confirmed by DSC.

Sept. 2011 – Feb. 2016

University of Tehran

B.Sc., Polymer Engineering

Thesis Nano-biocomposites: properties, manufacturing processes, and applications in eco-friendly products for packaging and agriculture.

Skills

Materials characterization

  • XRD
  • SEM
  • MPMS
  • Particle Size Analysis
  • DMA
  • DSC
  • TGA
  • Rheometry
  • Tensile
  • Wear Testing
  • FTIR
  • NMR
  • XPS
  • AFM
  • Ellipsometry
  • UV-Vis

Materials processing

  • Solid-State Synthesis
  • Polymer Synthesis and Formulation
  • Robotic Powder Dispensing
  • Ball Milling
  • Glovebox Handling
  • 3D Printing (SLA, DLP, FDM, DIW)
  • Injection Molding
  • Extrusion
  • Compression Molding
  • Spin Coating

Programming and AI

  • Python
  • Machine Learning
  • AI Agents
  • MATLAB
  • C++
  • AutoCAD
  • ChemDraw
  • Mnova NMR
  • TA Universal Analysis
Certifications and continuing education

Machine Learning Specialization (3-Course Series)

Coursera, Stanford University / DeepLearning.AI (Andrew Ng), Jul. 2026

  • Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification
  • Advanced Learning Algorithms
  • Unsupervised Learning, Recommenders, Reinforcement Learning

Machine Learning & AI

  • AI Python for Beginners, Coursera, DeepLearning.AI (Andrew Ng), Jul. 2026
  • Generative AI For Everyone, Coursera, DeepLearning.AI (Andrew Ng), Sept. 2025
  • AI For Everyone, Coursera, DeepLearning.AI (Andrew Ng), Aug. 2025

Additive Manufacturing Specialization (5-Course Series)

Coursera, Arizona State University (Dhruv Bhate), Aug. 2025

  • Design for Additive Manufacturing
  • Selective Laser Sintering and Metal Laser Powder Bed Fusion
  • Material Jetting and Stereolithography
  • Material Extrusion
  • Introduction to Additive Manufacturing Processes

Battery Technologies Specialization (5-Course Series)

Coursera, Arizona State University (Arunachala Nadar Mada Kannan), Jul. 2025

  • Lithium Based Batteries
  • Battery Comparison, Manufacturing, and Packaging
  • Batteries and Electric Vehicles
  • Zn and Ni Based Batteries
  • Primary and Secondary Batteries

Other Technical Certifications

  • Filament, Bambu Lab Academy, Feb. 2026
  • Fundamentals of PCB Fabrication and Assembly, IPC EDGE, Apr. 2025
  • The Complete Python Bootcamp From Zero to Hero, Udemy (Jose Portilla), Apr. 2025
  • C++, Sololearn, Jul. 2024
  • Introduction to MATLAB, Tehran Institute of Technology, Aug. 2016

Publications

First author 6

  1. 2021
  2. 2021
  3. 2021
  4. 2021
  5. 2020
  6. 2019

Co-author 6

  1. 2024
  2. 2023
  3. 2023
  4. 2022
  5. 2022
  6. 2022

Leadership and service

  • President, Graduate Student Council

    Auburn University, May 2019 – May 2020

    Served as graduate student representative on the Graduate Council and Faculty Senate for 4,000+ students. Presided over Executive Board meetings; approved all official GSC communications and financial forms.

  • Senator, Graduate Student Council

    Auburn University, Aug. 2018 – May 2019

    Represented the chemical engineering department, operated as the collective voice for graduate students in university affairs and the Student Government Association (SGA).

  • Events Committee Member, Graduate Student Council

    Auburn University, Aug. 2018 – May 2019

    Coordinated networking and social events, the Outstanding Graduate Mentor program, and the "This is Research: Student Symposium."

  • Scientific Journal Reviewer

    Ongoing

    Serving as a peer reviewer for high-impact scientific journals including Journal of Applied Polymer Science and Polymer International.

  • Executive Director, NODET Hoger Scientific Conference

    National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents, Mar. 2010

    Collaborated in organizing the Hoger Scientific Conference organized by the National Organization for Development of Exceptional Talents (NODET).

Honors and awards

  • 2020Three Minutes Thesis (3MT), FinalistAuburn University
  • 2020Finish in 5, FinalistCEGS 5-minute presentation competition, Auburn University
  • 2020ACS Graduate Research & Travel FellowshipSelected for ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting
  • 2019Three Minutes Thesis (3MT), FinalistAuburn University
  • 2019Finish in 5, Runner UpCEGS 5-minute presentation competition, Auburn University
  • 2019GSC Certificate of AppreciationRecognition of dedicated service to Auburn University GSC

Let's connect

I'm open to research collaborations, consulting engagements, and high-impact opportunities at the intersection of materials science, advanced manufacturing, and AI.

nimaalizadeh184@gmail.com

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