Bahrum Prang Rocky, Ph.D.

Analytical Scientist III, BASF Corporation

Materials Scientist | Technical Leader | Analytical & R&D Specialist | Reliability & Failure Analysis Expert

Charlotte, NC , USA | [email protected] | [email protected]

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/bahrum-prang-rocky | Google Scholar: Bahrum Prang Rocky

Materials Scientist with 14+ years of combined experience in industrial R&D, academic research, advanced materials characterization, analytical science, product development, and root‑cause analysis across chemicals, coatings, polymers, adhesives, nonwovens, textiles, and metals.

Proven record to lead complex investigations, resolve high‑priority technical issues, and collaborate with R&D, product management, manufacturing, and customer teams to deliver data‑backed solutions, support innovation pipelines, and enable data‑driven decisions for R&D, production, and technical service.

Expert in advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, surface & interface analysis, chemical analysis, thermal analysis, mechanical testing, failure modes and effect analysis, DOE, and structure–property relationships. Recognized for technical leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and scientific innovation, demonstrated through 5,000+ annual analyses, $5M+ research funding, 23 publications, 200+ technical reports and multiple awards.

Materials & Application Engineering: Expert in polymers, coatings, adhesives, construction chemicals, nonwovens, textiles, and nanomaterials; specialized antibacterial testing and nanomaterials characterization for high-performance applications; structure–property relationships and composite materials.

Analytical Microscopy & Spectroscopy: Advanced imaging (SEM, TEM, STEM, EBSD, LM, OM, AFM, AES, micro-IR, Sputter Coating, Laser/Plasma Coating, Cryo-Microtoming, Ru/Os-staining) and comprehensive spectroscopic & thermal characterization (EDS, XPS, XRD, FTIR, Raman, DSC, TGA, DMA, Rheology, UV-vis, Particle Size Analyzers).

Failure Analysis & Quality Assurance: Root Cause Analysis (RCA), FMEA, deformulation, and method development; lead cross-functional collaboration with GPC, GC-MS, LC-MS, py-GC, NMR;specialized in resolving complex customer escalations and competitive benchmarking.

Scientific Leadership & Strategy: Cross-functional leadership across R&D, Production, and QA; expert in Stakeholder Presentations &Technical Storytelling, DOE, technical training and SOP/JSA/TDS development.

Digital & Computational Proficiency: Advanced data analytics and automation using MATLAB, OriginPro, SPSS, and Minitab; proficient in Python, Java, HTML, and SQL; Enterprise‑Level Microsoft 365 & Power Platform; and CAD (SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Adobe Suite) for technical modeling and reporting. 

Analytical Materials Scientist III

BASF Corporation | Charlotte, NC, USA | 2023 – Present

Industry Focus: Adhesives, Coatings, Construction, Paper, Printing, Packaging, Nonwovens, Asphalt, and Fiber Bonding

• Conduct 5,000+ analytical investigations annually for RCA, FMEA, deformulation, formulation support, and critical customer complaints and plant issues, often involving multilayer coatings, roof coatings, paperboard, flooring adhesives, and packaging structures.
• Provide expert-level technical problem‑solving guidance across R&D, tech/customer service, applications, and production teams across 8+ industrial sectors for urgent and complex problem‑solving.
• Perform advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, mechanical and thermal analyses using SEM, STEM, TEM, LM, OM, FTIR, Raman, UV‑Vis, AFM, XRD, XPS, DSC, DMA, TGA, rheology, and Particle Size Analyzers.
• Support innovation & product development by identifying material defects, failure modes, impurities, degradation mechanisms, contamination, delamination, blister/grit formation, adhesion failures and compatibility issues.
• Develop and optimize standardized test methods and workflows (method templates, test protocols, report standards), significantly improving laboratory turnaround time (TAT), reproducibility, and clarity of recommendations.
• Develop, author, and maintain site-wide SOPs, JSAs, SDS, TDS, and lab safety protocols, ensuring compliance with OSHA, EPA, FDA, and internal BASF standards while providing technical training to scientists and engineers on advanced instrumentation and data interpretation.

• Lead multi-modal collaboration with GPC, HPLC, GC‑MS, LC‑MS, and NMR experts for comprehensive investigations and case studies to guide product reformulations, process changes, and competitive benchmarking.

Research Scientist II                                                                     

University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL, USA | 2022 – 2023

• Secured $5M in research funding and managed five multi‑disciplinary projects, ensuring milestone completion and delivery of all technical reports.
• Designed and executed DOE‑driven experiments and developed natural bamboo (NBF) and kudzu fibers, fiber composites and metal alloys using chemical, thermomechanical, metallurgical, and nano‑engineering methods.
• Performed comprehensive materials characterization,mechanical testing (incl. tensile, shear, hardness, fatigue, indentation, fracture, and surface tension), solving technical problems and providing cross‑functional training.
• Utilized SEM, STEM, TEM, EBSD, XRD, EDS, FTIR, Raman, XPS, DSC, nanomaterials processing tools, and computational/engineering software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, MATLAB, Python).

Postdoctoral Research Scientist                                                                                       

University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 2020 – 2022

• Led research on metals, alloys, and textile‑based nanomaterials; delivered 36 milestones, 3 annual reports US Dept. of Energy (DOE), 3 grant proposals (NSF, DoD, NASA), and multiple (7) conference presentations.
• Collaborated with 4 industrial partners to optimize production processes and develop specialized machinery.

Research Assistant                                                                                                          

University of Alabama | Tuscaloosa, AL | 2020 – 2022

• Contributed to 6 major research programs involving advanced fiber and textile engineering, tests & data analysis, 19 technical writings, 5 conference proceedings and 11 scientific publications.
• Performed mechanical, antibacterial, colorimetric, and structural testing on 300+ fabric and apparel materials.
• Developed novel fibers, natural bamboo (NBF) and kudzu fibers, for commercial applications.

Lecturer, Textile Engineering                                                                                          

Green University of Bangladesh & Daffodil International University | Dhaka, Bangladesh | 2013 – 2015

• Taught 19 courses and supervised 1,000+ students in textile science, dyeing and coloration, materials, and processing.
• Developed curricula aligned with industry needs and implemented ERP‑based course evaluation.

Executive Quality Assurance Engineer

Aboni Textiles | Dhaka, Bangladesh | 2010 – 2012

• Performed recipe formulation on dyeing and coloration of textile & apparel processing, solved quality issues, and enhanced customer satisfaction and throughput.
• Streamlined workflows and increased production efficiency across multiple textile dyeing lines.

Duration / Year	Degree
2017/01 ─ 2019/12	Ph.D. in Materials Science & Metallurgical Engineering   University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
2015/08 ─ 2016/12	M.S. in Textile Engineering / Human Environmental Sciences University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA
2005/07 ─ 2011/07	B.S. in Textile Technology & Chemical Engineering   Bangladesh University of Textiles, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2001/01 ─ 2005/05	Vocational Technology (V.Tech.) in Building Construction & Maintenance Bangladesh Technical Education Board, Dhaka, Bangladesh

• Paper of Distinction Award — ITAA (2021)
• Research & Teaching Awards — ITAA (2020)
• Outstanding Graduate Student Award — University of Alabama (2019)
• Graduate Council Writing Fellowship — University of Alabama (2018)

• Lean Six Sigma White Belt Certified by Management & Strategy Institute (MSI) ─ Cert.# 299533217.
• Industrial Safety Training Certificate by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety, The University of Alabama.

23 peer‑reviewed publications, 350+ citations; full list available on Google Scholar.

1. Stubbers, A., Rocky, B. P., Gilleland, C., Shrestha, R., San Marchi, C., Wilkerson, R. P., … & Weinberger, C. R. (2026). Hydrogen embrittlement and mechanical response of 304L steel with ZrC additions. Materials Science and Engineering: A, 149824.
2. Rocky, B. P., & Thompson, A. J. (2021). Analyses of the Chemical Compositions and Structures of Four Bamboo Species and their Natural Fibers by Infrared, Laser, and X-ray Spectroscopies. Fibers and Polymers, 22(4), 916–927. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-021-0303-8
3. Rocky, B. P., & Thompson, A. J. (2021). Characterization of the crystallographic properties of bamboo plants, natural and viscose fibers by X-ray diffraction method. Journal of the Textile Institute, 112(8), 1295–1303. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2020.1813407
4. Rocky, B. P., Weinberger, C. R., Daniewicz, S. R., & Thompson, G. B. (2021). Carbide nanoparticle dispersion techniques for metal powder metallurgy. Metals, 11(6), 871. https://doi.org/10.3390/met11060871
5. Rocky, B. P. (2022). An Investigation of Charging Effects by Different Factors on Carbon and Natural Bamboo Fibers in High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopic Imaging. Journal of Natural Fibers, 19(1), 145–158. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2020.1731906
6. Rocky, A. B. P., & Molla, M. T. I. (2019). Interaction of the Qualities and Properties between Yarns and Fabrics. Journal of American Science, 15(6), 69–77. https://doi.org/10.7537/marsjas150619.10
7. Rocky, B. P., & Thompson, A. J. (2021). Investigation and comparison of antibacterial property of bamboo plants, natural bamboo fibers and commercial bamboo viscose textiles. Journal of the Textile Institute, 112(7), 1159–1170. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2020.1807300
8. Wimberley, V. S., & Rocky, B. P. (2022). Investigation of the Extraction Processes and Performance Properties of Kudzu Fibers. Journal of Natural Fibers, 19(4), 1449–1460. https://doi.org/10.1080/15440478.2020.1776664
9. Rocky, B. P., & Thompson, A. J. (2021). Strategies of the Online Bamboo Viscose Clothing and Textiles Retailers. Current Trends in Fashion Technology & Textile Engineering, 7(3), 049–058. https://doi.org/10.19080/CTFTTE.2021.07.555713
10. Rocky, A. B. P. (2015). Interaction of some properties among yarns and jersey, rib, and interlock knit fabrics. AATCC Review, 15(4), 46–53. https://doi.org/10.14504/ar.15.4.3
11. Rocky, A. B. P. (2012). Comparison of Effectiveness Between Conventional Scouring & Bio-Scouring On Cotton Fabrics. International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, 3(8), 1–5. www.ijser.org/paper/Comparison-of-Effectiveness-Between-Conventional-Scouring-BioScouring-On-Cotton-Fabrics.html
12. Rocky, B. P., & Thompson, A. J. (2020). Production and Modification of Natural Bamboo Fibers from Four Bamboo Species, and Their Prospects in Textile Manufacturing. Fibers and Polymers, 21(12), 2740–2752. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12221-020-1208-7
13. Rocky, B. P., & Thompson, A. J. (2019). Production of natural bamboo fiber—2: Assessment and comparison of antibacterial activity. AATCC Journal of Research, 6(5), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.14504/ajr.6.5.1
14. Rocky, B. P., & Thompson, A. J. (2018). Production of natural bamboo fibers-3: SEM and EDX analyses of structures and properties. AATCC Journal of Research, 5(6), 27–35. https://doi.org/10.14504/AJR.5.6.4
15. Rocky, B. P., & Thompson, A. J. (2018). Production of natural bamboo fibers-1: experimental approaches to different processes and analyses. Journal of the Textile Institute, 109(10), 1381–1391. https://doi.org/10.1080/00405000.2018.1482639

• Rocky, B. P., et al. (2022). Mechanical Property Alterations through Hydrogen Trapping by Nanocarbide Dispersions in Steels. MS&T22: Materials Science & Technology – Steels for Sustainable Development, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
• Rocky, B. P., et al. (2021). Dispersing Tailored Nanoparticles through Powder Metallurgy Consolidation. At MS&T21: Materials Science & Technology, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
• Rocky, B. P., et al. (2020). How is Vague Language Being Used in Retail Websites for Bamboo Viscose Products? At Regent’s University London, Sustainability in Fashion – ITAA Proceedings, London, UK.
• Rocky, B. P., et al. (2020). Modified Techniques to Detect Antibacterial Activity of Bamboo and Natural Bamboo Fiber (NBF). International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) 2020 Virtual Annual Conference.
• Rocky, B. P., et al. (2018). Investigation of the Extraction Processes and Performance Properties of Kudzu Fibers. At International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) Annual Conference, Cleveland, Ohio.
• Rocky, A. B. P., et al. (2017). Production of Ecofriendly Natural Bamboo Bast Fiber and Assessment of Antibacterial Activity. At International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA) Annual Conference, St. Petersburg, Florida.

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