About Us

Maxwell Laboratories PTY LTD (a.k.a Max-Labs) is a privately-held, limited liability enterprise incorporated in 2024 by directors, James and Wendy Maxwell, who are dual citizens of Australia and the USA.   Wendy Maxwell is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and James Maxwell is the Chief Technology Officer & Research Director (CTO/RD). The company presently has four full-time employees, with plans to expand to 7-12 employees during 2026.

Max-Labs manufactures several standard advanced nanomaterials products (see “products” webpages) which includes magnetic and rare-earth nanoparticles, as well as titania, zinc oxide, ceria, and iron-based nano-scale whiskers. 

We also develop custom nanomaterials and fibre-based products upon request (see services webpages), within the categories of structural fibres (e.g. Ti-Si3N4) cermet fibres), photonic fibres (e.g. Al2O3– or SiO2-based fibre optics), and scintillating fibres (e.g. cerium-doped, gadolinium aluminium gallium garnet, i.e. GAGG:Ce).  We have capabilities to manufacture custom holey fibres, capillary optics (e.g. X-ray or deep-UV optics, meta-material devices (e.g. photonic crystals), low-frequency photonic devices (e.g. GHz and THz bandpass filters), and ultralight-weight (ULW) mechanical and sensing structures (e.g. large-scale infrasound microphones, see illustration at left).  All these capabilities contribute to our emerging proficiencies in “atmospheric satellites on the edge of space,” which includes high-altitude, ULW sensing & communication payload development–where we test remote sensing and astrophysical payloads with helium balloons to over 30 km (100,000 ft) in altitude (see picture from a previous flight).

We are available to collaborate on government- and privately-funded research and development activities, where the topic is relevant to our mission, our product range, and supports the common interests of Australia, the USA, and their allies throughout the world. 

Key Personnel Details:

Chief Executive Officer:  Wendy D. Maxwell

  • Co-Founder & Director, Maxwell Laboratories PTY LTD.
  • B.Sc.  Software Engineering with a Minor in Business Management (2022).  
  • Graduated Magna Cum Laude (GPA=3.96/4.0).
  • USA National Merit Scholar.
  • Home Duties, managing the upbringing of nine children (1990-2023). 
  • Now using her talents to grow new businesses.

Chief Technical Officer and R&D Director:  James L. Maxwell, Ph.D.

  • Co-Founder & Director, Maxwell Laboratories PTY LTD.
  • Ph.D.  Mechanical Engineering (1996).  Graduated Summa Cum Laude (GPA=4.0/4.0) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the oldest engineering university in the USA.
  • Dr. Maxwell was a senior scientist and team leader at Los Alamos National Laboratory for 12 years, developing new materials and processing methods (Scientist V).  In this capacity, He worked on technologies related to fusion energy and was intimately involved in writing new patents and commercialisation of inventions.  
  • Dr. Maxwell is well-versed in the nanomaterials and fibre production methods employed worldwide.  He was head of nanotechnology development at Los Alamos National Laboratory working with the Deputy Lab Director. 
  • He worked in the defence industry for 27 years, as a senior scientist and team leader on classified projects/technologies.  
  • He also worked in industry for 6 years, as a chief scientist, developing novel mass production methods for silicon carbide fibres (soon to be a billion-dollar industry, akin to the carbon fibre industry).
  • Writes Australian and US patents.  Eight awarded patents to date.
  • Four R&D 100 Awards (internationally considered the Oscars of Invention).
  • Full Professor, Engineering, La Trobe University, Bendigo (2018-2025).
  • Dr. Maxwell is an expert at “rapid mass transport” methods to enhance the growth rates of nanomaterials and fibrous materials.  
  • Now working full-time growing Maxwell Laboratories

Chief Engineer of Operations (Nanoparticles): Mohamad Alabdulkarim, Ph.D.

  • PhD in Materials and Manufacturing Engineering.  Eight published articles to date.
  • M.Sc. in Manufacturing Engineering with academic distinctions, including Best Graduation Project Award, Provost Commendation, and Career Ready Platinum Award.  Also, B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering.
  • Three years industrial experience, leading technical projects and implementing preventive maintenance programs (SAP).
  • Skilled in evaluating manufacturing processes and conducting cost-benefit analyses to support in-house production decisions and reduce reliance on external suppliers.
  • Business and supply chain experience includes a part-time role as a Supply Chain Director, managing procurement, logistics, and vendor approvals. 
  • Completed professional training in Six Sigma, financial accounting, robotics programming, feasibility studies, and sustainability design.

In Training to be:

Chief Engineer of Operations (Nano-whiskers/Fibres): Vibhor Thapliyal

  • PhD Manufacturing Engineering (anticipated mid-2026), focused on advanced manufacturing using laser microchemical processing. 
  • M.Sc. Manufacturing Engineering and B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering.
  • Assembled Australia’s first hyperbaric-pressure laser chemical vapour deposition (HP-LCVD) system and achieved the first simultaneous growth of 3D photonic crystals for space-based communication. 
  • His research spans novel micro/nano-structures, including fibres and nanoparticles.
  • At Max-Labs, Vibhor is in training to become a Chief Engineer of Operations, with oversight of other process engineering teams and contributing to technical strategy. 
  • His blend of hands-on innovation is central to Max-Labs’ mission to drive advanced nanomanufacturing and push the boundaries of industry.

Shareholder:  Chris Stoltz, AM

  • Order of Australia Recipient.
  • Sir John Holland Civil Engineer of the Year (2012).
  • Former CEO of For-Profit Organizations: Sunraysia Rural Water Authority, Boys Town, and Spatial Partners.
  • Currently Chair of the Board:  Sacred Heart Mission in St Kilda, an organisation devoted to overcoming homelessness.
  • Former Chair of Non-Profits:  Royal Flying Doctor Service, Bendigo Hospital, and Engineers Australia (Victoria Division).
  • Professor of Practice in Engineering, La Trobe University (2019-2025).
  • Director, La Trobe University Regional Advanced Manufacturing Hub 4.0, Bendigo, Australia (2021-2025).

Shareholder:  Glenn Pereira

  • Tech Entrepreneur since Jan 2016, assisting with the successful launch of multiple Tech Startups in Australia (VIC) and the USA (Silicon Valley).
  • intimate knowledge of contract, consumer, Tech Start-up, and immigration law in Australia and the USA.
  • Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Australian National University (ANU) and Diploma of Law (University of Sydney-LPAB) 
  • Currently an Australian Legal Practitioner at Dagama Pereira & Associates P/L (2014-Present).
  • Vast practice in Australian Immigration law, focusing on Global Talent visas (32 years).
  • Further experience as an International Shipping Executive/Shipbroking (12 years).