Our Team
CEO
Ben Herkenhoff
As the CEO of Sphota Materials, Inc., Ben Herkenhoff leads the strategic vision for the commercialization of high-performance nano-additive technologies. With a focus on operational excellence and manufacturing optimization, he is dedicated to transforming how drone and aerospace manufacturers approach structural bonding, enabling significant gains in production throughput without compromising material integrity.
CTO / Professor, University of Miami
Dr. Dibyendu Mukherjee
Dr. Dibyendu (Dibs) Mukherjee brings over two decades of research expertise in laser-based nanomaterial synthesis and characterization. As the primary architect of the patented LASiS nanomanufacturing platform, his work has been supported by significant DoD and AFRL grants. His leadership ensures that Sphota remains at the cutting edge of materials science, bridging the gap between fundamental academic research and scalable industrial applications.
Lead Researcher
Shubham Garg
Shubham Garg plays a critical role in the experimental synthesis and integration of SHEN additives into various epoxy systems. His research focuses on the optimization of laser-activated thermal release mechanisms and the mechanical characterization of nano-reinforced composite bonds. His contribution is vital to the rapid iteration and quality control of Sphota’s next-generation manufacturing solutions.
FOUNDATION
Born from Academic Excellence
Sphota's journey began with DoD-funded research at the University of Miami. Our core technology—SHEN particles synthesized via Laser Ablation Synthesis in Solution (LASiS)—represents a milestone in scalable nanomanufacturing.
Through strategic partnerships with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and others, we continue to advance our material systems from TRL-3 toward industrial readiness.