As a chemical engineering Intern, I was responsible for working with green chemical processes to perform bench-scale chemical treatment of Folia filter materials using nano-metal functionalized materials for water purification applications. Folia Water has expanded the frontiers of science and technology to its pinnacle by developing the world’s first water filter that costs pennies, not dollars. Their antimicrobial paper water purifier provides germ-free water, to ensure and enrich the quality of life of working-class consumers that earn $1 to $2 per day by providing universal access to safe drinking water and bridging material innovation to mass-market consumer goods. Through my project, I could optimise the green chemical process and improve the quality of their antimicrobial paper, improving their consumer satisfaction.

This is the kind of role that I have always wanted to pursue, a blend of research and development with business operations. Every experiment that I performed on the bench of our lab intended to improve the quality of our products, which would further enhance consumer satisfaction for Folia. My laboratory experience garnered through other internships helped me from bench-scale experiments with utmost precision and efficiency. Preparation of coating solutions involved chemical process calculations through mass and energy balance, which I had learned in my Transport Phenomenon course. Due to the panedmic, the supply chain for personal protective equipment (PPE) got distressed as demand exceeded available supplies. The parent company, Folia Materials, decided to develop an antiviral surgical mask to battle COVID-19. I was responsible to perform antiviral tests and understand the kinetics of the virus, when they land on the outer layer of the paper, for confirming the right loading of the antiviral active ingredient. I was successfully able to do so, by applying the concepts of my Chemical Kinetics course taken in spring 2020.

From day one, I had the lab all to myself as my supervisor was working remotely. Initially, it would be difficult to coordinate experiments over video conferencing, but eventually, we understood our work patterns and it went smooth thereafter. This also highlights the importance of having effective employee communication to work towards shared organizational goals, keeping employees engaged and eager to contribute to the company’s success. After manufacturing the first batch of pilot-scale Folia face masks, the team decided to get it approved by the FDA so that it could be produced on an industrial scale and be supplied in the US market. The face masks had to go through innumerable tests, which required the company to set up a quality control team to plan the roadmap. Time for shifting the gears, we stood up as a team, contracted vendors to outsource these tests, and prepared protocols, making sure our product met the FDA standards. We had numerous sleepless nights and worked overtime hours, but the experience was a great learning experience, and I cherish every moment of it.

During the Internship, I realized that business profitability is the key driver for implementing any technical solution. Folia Materials is prospering every second, due to its constant consumer reviews, discussing their concerns with the team and implementing the solution. I was impressed with the diversity and entrepreneurial culture of Folia Materials, which not only motivated me to realize my true potential but also understand how important it is to have respect amongst co-workers to earn fortunes. The team was impressed with my performance over the summer, which led to the extension of my internship into the fall semester and to further join the company as a full-time employee after I graduate. I am overwhelmed that Folia Materials is the first company to start my professional career in the United States.