James M. Bucher, Ph.D.

Dr. Bucher applies his engineering expertise to the causes and prevention of industrial accidents involving reactive chemicals and substances. He has worked on projects involving adverse and unintended chemical reactivity, dust combustibility, and chemical releases. He also investigates the origin and cause of residential fires and explosions. Dr. Bucher has employed various analytical techniques as part of this work, including x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). His work has necessitated consultation and familiarization with various industrial guides, codes, and regulations, including those published by the NFPA, CCPS, OSHA, and EPA.

Before coming to Exponent, Dr. Bucher performed his doctoral thesis work at the University of Michigan in the area of alternative energy, optimizing synthetic fuel production through the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. He also developed experience in many other fields related to alternative energy, including fuel reforming, fuel cell construction and operation, hydrogen production and storage, and battery technology.

Prior to his graduate studies, Dr. Bucher worked as an environmental engineering consultant, implementing and maintaining systems for the remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater at industrial sites. This work included the design and implementation of in situ chemical oxidation systems as well as other technologies associated with environmental remediation. He has also worked on a freelance basis as an intellectual property consultant.

Bucher JM, Schwank, J. The effect of downstream synthesis gas feeding on Fischer-Tropsch product distributions. Fuel Processing Technology 2009; 90:1009–1015.

Bucher JM, Schwank, J. Downstream feeding of synthesis gas into series Fischer-Tropsch Reactors. Presented at the 2008 Spring Symposium of the Michigan Catalysis Society, Warren, MI, 2009.

Bucher JM, Schwank, J. Intermittent feeding of synthesis gas into series Fischer-Tropsch Reactors. Presented at the 2008 Spring National Meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in New Orleans, LA, 2008.

Bucher JM, Schwank, J. Modifications of Fischer-Tropsch product distributions in modular reactor systems. Presented at the 2006 Annual Meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers in San Francisco, CA, 2006.

• Freelance Intellectual Property Consultant, Novak Druce + Quigg, LLP, 2007–2009
• Freelance Intellectual Property Analyst, Global Prior Art, 2004
• Environmental Field and Process Engineer, GZA GeoEnvironmental, 2001–2004
• Summer Intern, Bayer AG, 2000

• American Institute of Chemical Engineers—AIChE
• National Fire Protection Association—NFPA
• National Association of Fire Investigators—NAFI