NSNate ShakouriPrincipal Scientist

Resume

Nate (Abolfazl) Shakouri, Ph.D. - Resume

A concise public resume drawn from the provided CV content, with private phone and reference contact details omitted.

Summary

Principal Scientist – Catalysis, Electrochemistry & Advanced Reactors

Chemical engineer with Ph.D.s in Chemical Engineering/Nanotechnology and 18+ years spanning academia and industry. Focused on predictive catalyst synthesis, electro/thermocatalysis, 3D-printed reactor architectures, aerospace/ECLS/propulsion systems, and data-driven optimization.

USA

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Public Research Record

Current citation counts and publication updates are maintained on the live Google Scholar profile.

Scholar-Listed Public Works

Selected public works from the research record. Use the live Scholar profile for current citation counts and profile updates.

Scholar
High-performing commercial Fe–N–C cathode electrocatalyst for anion-exchange membrane fuel cellsNature Energy 6, 834–843 (2021)PGM-free AEM fuel-cell cathodesPublic recordUnderstanding how single-atom site density drives the performance and durability of PGM-free Fe–N–C cathodes in anion exchange membrane fuel cellsMaterials Today Advances 12, 100179 (2021)Single-atom site density and durabilityPublic recordEffect of electric field on thermal performance of thermosyphon heat pipes using nanofluidsMaterials Research Bulletin 53, 21–27 (2014)Nanofluids and thermal systemsPublic recordMulti-atom Pt and PtRu catalysts for high performance AEMFCs with ultra-low PGM contentApplied Catalysis B: Environmental 325, 122375 (2023)Low-PGM AEM fuel-cell catalysisPublic recordEnhanced performance of oxygen-functionalized, multi-walled carbon nanotubes as support for Pt and Pt-Ru bimetallic catalysts for methanol electrooxidationACS Applied Energy Materials (2020)Methanol electrooxidationPublic recordPhotocatalytic activity performance of novel cross-linked PEBAX copolymer nanocomposite on azo dye degradationJournal of Molecular Liquids 216, 275–283 (2016)Photocatalytic water treatmentPublic record

Citation Themes

Energy Conversion Electrocatalysis

The most cited public work centers on Fe–N–C, Pt, and PtRu catalyst systems for AEM fuel cells and methanol electrooxidation.

Public record includes the Nature Energy Fe–N–C AEMFC article; current citation data should be checked on the live Google Scholar profile.

Rational Catalyst Synthesis

Public papers and patent disclosures show a recurring emphasis on controlled site density, supported isolated atoms, bimetallic particles, and scalable synthesis.

Publication and patent records include supported isolated-atom methods, PdAu alloy synthesis, and Fe–N–C site-density studies.

Advanced Materials And Environmental Systems

Earlier scholarship extends into nanofluid thermal systems, photocatalytic polymers, antifouling membranes, and heterogeneous oxidation chemistry.

Scholar-listed works include nanofluid heat-pipe, photocatalytic PEBAX, GO/PES membrane, and ChemCatChem CoII1O4 catalyst papers.

Selected Achievements

Experience

Principal Scientist (Catalysis, ISRU, ECLS, Propulsion)

Sierra Space

2022–Present

  • Set strategy and led innovation across propulsion, ISRU, ECLS, and catalytic systems; built a $5M+ state-of-the-art catalyst lab to accelerate research-to-product.
  • Lead technical development of the TCPS gas-processing system; designed, built, and qualified the system from scratch, with flight expected in 2027.
  • Delivered new product lines and advanced catalysts; strengthened business development through demos and technical tours for NASA, Raytheon, and partners.
  • Mentored 50+ cross-disciplinary contributors and aligned R&D with aerospace standards and safety/quality systems.
  • Drove technology roadmaps from concept to deployment, integrating manufacturing, test, and compliance.

Senior Scientist

NSF/IUCRC Center for Rational Catalyst Synthesis

2016–2022

  • Led research in catalysis/electrocatalysis, pharmaceutical synthesis, and resource sustainability.
  • Collaborated with ExxonMobil, BASF, UOP, and Biogen to translate advanced catalysts toward commercial deployment.
  • Supervised postdoctoral researchers and graduate students; contributed to record-level performance in fuel cells and electrolyzers.

Process Engineer & Lecturer

Oil & Gas Research Center (FUM)

2007–2015

  • Developed nanofluid thermal management for industrial heat exchangers; delivered +40% improvements in heat transfer.
  • Conducted materials characterization, membrane technologies, and rheology research.
  • Taught core chemical engineering courses and supported mentorship-centered instruction.

Research/Teaching Roles

University of South Carolina (USC)

  • Postdoctoral Fellow / Procurement Assistant (2021–2022)
  • Research/Teaching/Procurement Assistant (2016–2021)
  • Visiting Research Scholar/Faculty (2015–2016)

Instructor, Chemical Engineering

Quchan University

2009–2012

  • Taught chemical engineering coursework and supported student development.

Intern, Catalytic Reforming Overhaul

Isfahan Oil Refinery

Summer 2007

  • Supported catalytic reforming overhaul work in an industrial refinery setting.

Education

2016–2021

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering (Catalysis)

University of South Carolina, USA

2010–2015

Ph.D., Nanotechnology (Chemical Engineering)

Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, IR

2007–2009

M.Sc., Chemical Engineering (Advanced Nanotechnology, Transport Phenomena)

Isfahan University of Technology, IR

2002–2007

B.Sc., Chemical Engineering (Petrochemical Processes)

Isfahan University of Technology, IR

Technical Skills

Catalysis

  • Rational synthesis
  • Chelate-fixation
  • Single-atom/multi-atom catalysts
  • Washcoat/ink rheology
  • Adhesion
  • Catalyst synthesis & scale-up
  • Low-PGM systems

Characterization

  • SEM/TEM/STEM
  • XPS
  • ICP-MS
  • FTIR/ATR-IR/Raman/UV-Vis
  • GC/MS
  • Chemisorption
  • BET/BJH
  • TPR/TPD/TPO
  • AFM
  • AAS

Systems And Software

  • AEM/PEM FCs & electrolyzers
  • CO₂-to-fuels
  • VOC/NOx systems
  • 3D-printed lattices and flow fields
  • COMSOL
  • MATLAB
  • Aspen/HYSYS
  • Design-Expert
  • Origin
  • ImageJ
  • Digital Micrograph
  • OMNIC
  • Fityk

Methods

  • Statistics
  • DOE
  • FEM/FDM
  • HSE systems
  • Environmental impact assessments
  • Data-driven optimization
  • Physics-informed AI

Leadership

Program And People Leadership

  • PMP-certified technical leader with experience building labs, teams, safety systems, and research-to-product roadmaps.
  • Hosted customer reviews and technical tours while partnering with NASA, AFRL/DoD, Raytheon, and industry collaborators.
  • Mentored junior engineers, interns, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers.

Teaching And Mentoring

  • Courses taught/ready to teach: Basic Principles/Calculations; Thermodynamics; Fluid Mechanics; Kinetics & Reactor Design; Unit Operations Laboratory; Materials in ChE.
  • Unit Ops leadership: SOPs, calibration & safety systems; professional-grade reports and statistics.
  • Built pod-style mentoring with graduate leads and undergraduate contributors.

Professional Service

  • Graduate Committee Member, USC (2018–2020)
  • Treasurer, Iranian Student Association (USC) (2016–2018)
  • Peer reviewer for catalysis, materials, polymers, chemical engineering, environmental, and photobiology journals.
  • Public peer-review record includes service for Catalysis Science & Technology, Carbohydrate Polymers, Coatings, Journal of Polymers and the Environment, Chemical Engineering & Technology, Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, Materials, and Processes.

Energy Conversion Publications

Energy conversion work verified from public publication records, highlighted separately for visibility.

High-performing commercial Fe–N–C cathode electrocatalyst for anion-exchange membrane fuel cells

Horie Adabi, Abolfazl Shakouri, Noor Ul Hassan, John R. Varcoe, Barr Zulevi, Alexey Serov, John R. Regalbuto, and William E. Mustain. Nature Energy 6, 834–843 (2021).

Energy conversion publication in anion-exchange membrane fuel cells.

DOI

Understanding how single-atom site density drives the performance and durability of PGM-free Fe–N–C cathodes in anion exchange membrane fuel cells

Horie Adabi, Pietro Giovanni Santori, Abolfazl Shakouri, Xiong Peng, Karam Yassin, Igal G. Rasin, Simon Brandon, Dario R. Dekel, Noor Ul Hassan, Moulay-Tahar Sougrati, Andrea Zitolo, John R. Varcoe, John R. Regalbuto, Frédéric Jaouen, and William E. Mustain. Materials Today Advances 12, 100179 (2021).

Energy conversion publication on PGM-free AEM fuel-cell cathodes.

DOI

Enhanced performance of oxygen-functionalized, multi-walled carbon nanotubes as support for Pt and Pt-Ru bimetallic catalysts for methanol electrooxidation

Wen Xiong, Bahareh Mehrabadi, Stavros Karakalos, Rembert White, Abolfazl Shakouri, Peter Kasak, Syed Zaidi, John Weidner, John Regalbuto, Hector Colon-Mercado, and John Monnier. ACS Applied Energy Materials (2020).

Energy conversion publication on methanol electrooxidation catalysts.

DOI

Ruthenium–platinum bimetallic catalysts with controlled surface compositions and enhanced performance for methanol oxidation

Bahareh Alsadat Tavakoli Mehrabadi, Rembert White, Abolfazl Shakouri, John R. Regalbuto, John W. Weidner, and John R. Monnier. Catalysis Today 334, 156–161 (2019).

Energy conversion publication on controlled-composition bimetallic catalysts.

DOI

Publications/Patents

Patents & Disclosures (selected)

  • High-Density Isolated Atoms on Support Substrates — US 63/131,858
  • Scalable Single-Atom Catalyst Production — US 62/241,231
  • Electrostatic-Based Rheological Control — Tech ID#1522 / US 63/165,322
  • T-Electrolyzer Technology — US 63/369,246 (Pending)
  • Catalyst Bed for Extreme Conditions Propulsion — US 63/668,561 (Pending)

Selected Publications & Conference Papers

  • Klopotic, J.; Shakouri, A., et al. “Catalytic Oxidizer for Hazardous Compound Removal in TCPS Effluent Gas.” ICES (2024).
  • Shakouri, A., et al. “The LIFE™ Habitat Air Revitalization System Development.” ICES (2023).
  • Shakouri, A. “Catalyzing Commercialization: Simple Method Enables a New Class of Supported Atom Catalysts.” CEP Magazine (2022).
  • Adabi, H.; Shakouri, A., et al. “High-performing commercial Fe–N–C cathode electrocatalyst for anion-exchange membrane fuel cells.” Nature Energy 6, 834–843 (2021).
  • Zhou, H.; Xiong, W.; Shakouri, A., et al. “Precision Size Control of Supported Pd and Pt Nanoparticles…” Catalysts 15(2), 156 (2025).
  • Adabi, H.; Santori, P.G.; Shakouri, A., et al. “Multi-atom Pt/PtRu Catalysts for High Performance AEMFCs.” Applied Catalysis B 325, 122375 (2023).
  • Adabi, H.; Shakouri, A., et al. “Single-Atom Site Density Drives PGM-Free Fe–N–C Performance.” Materials Today Advances 12, 100179 (2021).
  • Khivantsev, K.; …; Shakouri, A., “Catalytic N–H Activation by a CoII1O4 Site.” ChemCatChem 10(4), 736–742 (2018).
  • Doctoral Dissertation: “Insights Into Rational Catalysts Synthesis.” USC (2021).