Naga Ravikumar Varma Nadimpalli, Ph.D.
Bangalore
Summary
Innovative Principal Engineer with 17+ years of experience in semiconductor process development (etching and deposition), computational modeling, process engineering research and nanomaterials. Proven expertise in Reactive Ion Etching (RIE), Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD), semiconductor process control and optimization, physics-based and machine learning-based process optimization. Strong track record of leading winning teams, customer engagement, solving customer high value problems, demo execution, and technology adoption. Recognized for driving high-impact R&D innovations, optimizing semiconductor process efficiency, and leading cross-functional teams.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Engineer
Applied Materials India
Bangalore
08.2021 - Current
- Led cross-functional teams (eight engineers) in developing etching and CVD process enhancements to improve efficiency and reliability through concept, feasibility, and prototype testing.
- Led a program (team of two engineers) to develop and evaluate next-generation, alternative etchant gases (low-GWP) for reactive ion and isotropic etching to improve process efficiency while reducing the environmental chemical impact.
- Led a process team (a team of two) to develop and optimize the process recipes for plasma etching, to evaluate and optimize new product designs and process recipes through statistical and simulation tools.
- Led computational modeling and simulation initiatives for plasma etch and PECVD processes, resolving critical field issues, and improving product reliability.
- Conducted customer demos, process evaluations, and tool qualifications to drive new technology adoption.
- Resolved complex customer issues and solved high-value customer problems in etch and PECVD processes, leading to improved yields and efficiency.
- Spearheaded machine learning-driven process simulations, enabling predictive analytics for semiconductor process control.
Scientist
Tata Research Development and Design Center (TRDDC)
Pune
08.2007 - 07.2021
- Led research on thin films and nanomaterials synthesis for semiconductors, catalysis, and energy storage applications.
- Designed and optimized semiconductor process reactors, enhancing efficiency in thin film deposition and nanomaterials production.
- Developed multiscale models integrating CFD, PBM, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamics for nanomaterial synthesis and semiconductor processes.
- Engineered novel chemical reactors (hydrothermal and aerosol flame reactors), improving production scalability and material quality.
- Invented and patented novel reactor technologies and process optimization methods.
- Led large-scale production of nanomaterials (silica, titania, ceria, zirconia, zinc oxide), contributing to advancements in catalysis, energy storage, and CO2 absorption.
- Applied machine learning techniques (logistic regression, SVM, random forest) to optimize chemical processes in the semiconductor, mining, and pharmaceutical industries.
Education
Ph.D. - Chemical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)
01-2018
M.Tech. - Chemical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur)
01-2007
B.Tech. - Chemical Engineering
Andhra University
Visakhapatnam01-2004
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Process Development: Reactive Ion Etching (RIE), Isotropic Etching, Process Chamber Cleaning, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), Plasma Chemistry (ICP and CCP)
- Process Control and Optimization: Reactive Ion Etching (RIE), Etch Recipes Optimization, PECVD, Chamber Cleaning
- Process Engineering Research: Alternative Etchants Development for Reactive ion etching (RIE), Design & Scale-up of Advanced Reactors, Large-Scale Nanomaterials Production
- Process Simulation: Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Plasma Chemistry and Reaction Modeling, Machine Learning based Methods, High-Performance Computing & Data-Driven Modeling, Statistical Analysis
- Tool Development & Customer Support: Concept & Feasibility, Prototype Testing, New Technology Adoption, Process Demos
- Leadership & Project Management: Managing Cross-Functional Teams, Customer Engagement, Business Strategy
TECHNICAL SKILLS
- Computational Tools: ANSYS Fluent, CFX, ICEM CFD, CFD-ACE, COMSOL, EDEM, THERMO-CALC
- Statistical Tools: JMP, Minitab
- Machine Learning & Data Science: Python, MATLAB, FORTRAN, C, UNIX
- Laboratory Analytical Techniques: FTIR, QMS, SEM, TEM, XRD, EDX, DLS Particle Size Analyzer, UV-Vis Spectroscopy
PATENTS & PUBLICATIONS
- 7 Patents Filed (India, US, China) on process control and optimization of semiconductor processes, etching gas development, nanoparticle production
- 10+ peer-reviewed journal publications in high-impact journals like Nature, Scientific Reports, Physics of Fluids, and Powder Technology
- Conference presentations at AIChE, APT, and World Congress on Particle Technology
(Full list of patents and publications available on request or via Google Scholar profile.)
Awards and recognition
- Applied Materials Innovation Award 2022 for the development of next-generation etchant gases in semiconductor manufacturing
- TATA Innovista Finalist (2018, 2021) – Top 10 invocation projects among 10,000+ participants in an annual innovation contest in process engineering research across the TATA group of companies
- Best Employee Award (2018-19) & Best Project Award (2019) - Recognized for exceptional contributions in research & innovation
- 97.82 percentile (AIR: 125) in GATE 2005
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that the above-furnished information is true to the best of my knowledge
Naga Ravikumar Varma Nadimpalli
Timeline
Principal Engineer
Applied Materials India
08.2021 - Current
Scientist
Tata Research Development and Design Center (TRDDC)
08.2007 - 07.2021
Ph.D. - Chemical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)
M.Tech. - Chemical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur)
B.Tech. - Chemical Engineering
Andhra University
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