Rashid Ahmed Rifat

A wanderer in my own world, engineer & researcher

Experience


Summary of my experiences in the academia and industry


🎓️
Currently I'm working as a Ph.D. Researcher with the Battery Innovation Centre Team at MOBI Research Centre, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium.

Academia & Industry Experiences

January 2024- Ongoing

Ph.D Researcher, Battery Innovation Centre, MOBI Research Centre,
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB)

Since January 2024, I embarked on my Ph.D. (Doctor of Engineering Sciences) journey as a researcher with the Battery Innovation Centre Team at MOBI research centre, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). I am currently working on the EU project THOR, focusing on the development of an innovative methodology for battery testing. My doctoral research is centered on the electrochemical aging model of Li-ion battery systems, showcasing my deep interest and expertise in battery modeling, electrochemistry and energy storage technology.
Skills: Electrochemistry · Electrochemical Modeling · Battery Modeling · Battery Testing

August 2023- December 2023

Researcher, nanoCaps AS

I worked as a Researcher at nanoCaps right after accomplishing master's. In 2022, I joined nanoCaps as an intern and finished my industrial master thesis in the same company. 💼 

My job responsibilites included assembly, packaging and testing of CNT based supercapacitors along with other tasks e.g. electrode fabrication using various microfabricatiopn techniques, analysing data, etc. 🔋 ⚡ 

Skills: Electrochemistry · Battery Testing · Microfabrication

January 2023- August 2023

Industrial Master's Thesis Student

Started a position as industrial master thesis student at nanoCaps with academic supervision by University,University of South–Eastern Norway. This position is in addition to the R&D Trainee.

My thesis topic: SMD Supercapacitor of high-energy and high-power density. This industrial thesis is comprised of:
  1. Literature review
  2. Synthesis of high density and inter-cross linked CNT electrodes by APCVD process in small and big CVD reactor
  3. Characterization of CNT materials through TE SEM, FE SEM, AFM, Raman spectroscopy
  4. Assembly and preparation of carbon nanotubes (CNT) electrode coin cells using glove box
  5. Electrochemical characterization of different types of battery cells, analyzing parameters e.g. CV, EIS, ESR, areal/volumetric capacitance
  6. Packaging, optimization, and development of SMD supercapacitor of high-energy and high-power density
  7. Analyzing, reporting and logging the data with BioLogic EC LAB, Matlab, OriginPro
  8. Writing the thesis. 
Skills: Nanoparticles · SMD · Battery Testing · Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) · Carbon Nanotubes · Materials Characterization · Supercapacitors

May 2022- July 2023

Research and Development Trainee- nanoCaps AS, Borre, Norway.

  • Responsible for the materials characterization of the Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) growth on aluminium foil by implementing various techniques for supercapacitor application.
  • Initially my tasks also included assembling, installation, and operation of the new roll-to-roll Plasma Enhance Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) machine at IMS Lab, University of South-Eastern Norway. 

December 10, 2019 – August 25, 2021

Engineer in Electric Power Systems Division, Caterpillar Inc. (Bangla Trac Ltd- Bangla CAT), Banani, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Responsible for achieving business targets in terms of volume, growth, market share, and profitability by involving as a team of sales.
  • Providing techno-commercial details to the customers for enhancing sales of products.
  • Managing and interpreting customer requirements - speaking with clients to understand, anticipate and meet their needs.
  • Business sector: Dealer of Caterpillar Inc. in Bangladesh. Heavy machinery and electrical equipment supplier.

February 13, 2019 – November 30, 2019

Examination Coordinator, CAIE Renegades, Dhanmondi, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Responsible for preparing examination papers and documents related to publishing results
  • Conduct tests and mock examination for preparing the students for O level and A level Examination

January 01, 2017 - August 31, 2019

Undergraduate Research Assistant, IUB Photonics Simulation Laboratory, Department of EEE, Independent University, Bangladesh. 
Main responsibilities and work: 
  • Enhancing Optical & Electrical Efficiency of Thin-Film Solar Cells Using Plasmonic Nanostructures
  • Altering the shapes and dimensions of standard nanostructures (nanospheres, substrates etc.) to enhance optical and electrical efficiency.
  • Optimizing the parameters of different plasmonic nanostructures and monitoring its effect on different solar substrates.
  • Utilizing new materials, new substrate, semiconductor or otherwise to enhance the opto-electronic efficiency of solar cell.
  • Using solvers ‘FDTD Solutions’ and ‘DEVICE’ from Lumerical Solutions, Inc. for the modelling and simulation and MATLAB for data visualization.
  • Conduct research, summarize findings, and contribute to publications

May 01, 2016- December 31, 2017 

Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Physical Sciences, Independent University, Bangladesh. 
Main responsibilities and work:
  • Evaluate and grade examinations, assignments, or papers and record grades
  • Prepare or proctor examinations
  • Demonstrate use of laboratory equipment and enforce laboratory rules.
  • Complete laboratory projects prior to assigning them to students so that any needed modifications can be made
  • Develop teaching materials, such as syllabi, visual aids, answer keys, supplementary notes, or course Web sites. 

Extra/Co-Curricular Experiences

January 2018-December 2018 

Chair, Student Branch, IEEE IUB Student Branch, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Set objectives and made annual plan of the Student Branch
  • Organised more than 40 national and international events, seminars, and workshops
  • Successfully improved membership of 100% from 110 to 205 in 2018
  • Initiated more student participation in competitions and real-life engineering challenges
  • Got awarded the Best Student Branch in 2018 among 37 student branches and also the Best Student Volunteer Award from IEEE Bangladesh Section

January 2018-December 2018

Logistics Coordinator, IEEE Bangladesh Section Student Activities Committee, Dhaka, Bangladesh 
  • Provided logistics support to events conducted by IEEE Bangladesh Section
  • Events include seminars, workshops, and conference 

January 2017-December 2017 

Sub-Executive Committee Member, IEEE IUB Student Branch, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • Arranged technical workshops and seminars for the Student Branch
  • Responsible for maintaining social media pages and launching campaigns
  • Designed banners, posters, and flyers for print and electronic purpose in different events

January 2017-December 2017

Volunteering

January 2012

Invigilator & Exam Checker, Regional Mathematical Olympiad, Dhaka Bangladesh
  • Responsible for invigilating exams and checking scripts of Mathematical Olympiad organised by Prothom Alo (Leading national daily in Bangladesh)