Hans W. Herrmann, Ph.D.
Chief Engineer
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Dr. Herrmann received his B.S. degree in Engineering Physics from Cornell University in 1985, and his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in 1992 and 1997, respectively, in Astrophysical Sciences from Princeton University where he specialized in experimental plasma physics and controlled thermonuclear fusion. Before joining APJeT as a founder, he was a technical staff member at Los Alamos National Laboratory where he co-developed the APPJ® technology. Prior to graduate school, he served six years active duty as a navy nuclear engineer aboard the USS Ohio, the first of the Trident submarines, and he is currently a Commander in the Naval Reserve working as an R&D Liaison Officer for the Office of Naval Research. Dr. Herrmann enjoys skiing, triathlon competitions, biking and hiking with his three children.

Andrei G. Fadeev
Senior Process Engineer
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Dr. Fadeev received his M.S. degree in Chemistry from Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia, in 1988 and his Ph.D. degree in Polymer Science in 1995 from the A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia. Before joining APJeT, he was employed as a technical staff member with Santa Fe Science & Technology, Inc. where he led R&D projects on synthesis and processing of polymers into fibers for textile and membrane applications. Prior to that, he held research positions at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, where he developed polymer membranes and processes for biorefineries. Dr. Fadeev is the technical lead for APJeT's textile treatment processes. In his spare moments, he grows tomatoes in Santa Fe's desert climate and enjoys fitness activities and skiing.

Ivars Henins, Ph.D.
Senior Equipment Engineer
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Dr. Henins received his B.A. degree in Physics from Friends University, Wichita, KS in 1955, and his Ph.D. in Physics from the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD in 1961. After graduate school, he became an Instructor of Physics at Johns Hopkins. Later, he was employed as a Technical Staff Member at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he co-developed the APPJ® technology. He has been involved in research projects involving thermonuclear fusion plasmas, plasmas produced by coaxial guns, very high voltage theta pinches, and compact plasma toroids. Since 1990, he has focused on plasma-based advanced manufacturing and in the development and application of non-thermal, atmospheric pressure plasma sources. He joined APJeT as a founder, where he is involved in the design, testing and optimization of APJeT's proprietary plasma hardware.

Tobias Hoechbauer, Ph.D.
Materials & Process Engineer
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Dr. Hoechbauer received his M.S. degree in Physics from the University of Augsburg, Germany, in 1997 and his Dr. Sc. degree in 2001 from the Philipps University Marburg, Germany. Before joining APJeT, he worked for eight years at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) as a Graduate Research Assistant and a Postdoctoral Fellow. At LANL, his research focused on processing and characterization of semiconductor materials, ion-solid interaction, and thin film technology. At APJeT, Dr. Hoechbauer is involved in the process development endeavors concerning thin film deposition technology and he leads the materials analysis lab. In his free time, he enjoys renovating his house, hiking, skiing, and playing his violin.

Heathcliff Vaz
Process Engineer and Lead Designer
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Mr. Vaz received his B.A. in Economics from the College of Wooster (Ohio) in 1997 and his B.S.E. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Iowa in 1999. He has taken both technical and management roles for a wide variety of projects at the University of Iowa and at Manhattan Scientifics, Inc. His prior work includes Fuel Cells, catalytic heaters and hydrogen generators. Mr. Vaz is the lead designer for APJeT's plasma hardware and he is also involved in APJeT's process development effort for thin film deposition and photoresist stripping technology. In his free time, Mr. Vaz is an active competitor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is an avid automotive enthusiast.

Caterina Vidoli
Process Engineer
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Ms. Vidoli received her B.S. degree in Physics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1995. Before joining APJeT, she worked for seven years as a research assistant in the laboratories of HY-Tech Research Corporation in Radford, Virginia. Her projects included an innovative plasma switching source, measurement of plasma electron densities with holographic and interferometric laser diagnostics, spectroscopic diagnostics to measure plasma emission line intensities, and measurement of plasma magnetic fields by Zeeman splitting. Ms. Vidoli is actively involved in APJeT's process development technology and also manages operations in APJeT's development facility. In her spare seconds, she enjoys outdoor sports, including skiing and cycling, triathlon competition, hiking, the performing arts and her native Italian culture.

Jerome Vermillion
Process Technician
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Mr. Vermillion joined the APJeT Team after careers in Lighting and Beverage Industries. From 1976 to 1990 he was a lighting designer in the Entertainment business where he designed, maintained and operated stage and event lighting. Mr. Vermillion was involved with laser technology when it was first introduced to stage lighting as a special effect. When he left the entertainment industry, Mr. Vermillion joined the Coca Cola Bottling Company of Santa Fe, N.M. as a divisional manager. After 12 years he left to run his own business in which he designed and produced artistic lighting for commercial and home use. A Native American, Mr. Vermillion is involved in the cultural activities of his nearby Santa Clara Pueblo. He is involved in sport and fitness activities, farming and lamp repair in his spare time. At APJeT, Mr. Vermillion is currently involved with laboratory design, equipment maintenance and process development.

Matthew Barnes
Laboratory Technician
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Mr. Barnes received his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University in 2002. After two years of employment doing project management and design for city government, Mr. Barnes and his wife moved to New Mexico to enjoy the clean air, mountains and blue skies. At APJeT, Mr. Barnes is involved in plasma deposition and process development for a variety of projects. Mr. Barnes is also a Firefighter/EMT and enjoys volunteering for the Pojoaque Volunteer Fire Department, as well as fly fishing, backpacking, and skiing.