| Research Group Details |
| | Name: Ayush Owhal (Phd- Ongoing) (Supervisor) Proposed Topic of Research: Fabrication of Metal Matrix Composites with Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Properties for Novel Engineering Applications Expected Outcomes: The outcome of this research work will be a potential biodegradable nanocomposites material that may lead to huge future impact in the field of biomaterial and other novel engineering fields. Possibly high strength metal base composite will be going to more reliable material as compare to polymer and ceramic based materials. |
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Phd Thesis Title: Investigation on Properties of Graphene Nanoplatelets Reinforced Cu-Ni Alloy Matrix Composites.
Phd Thesis Abstract: Copper and its alloys are well known for their remarkable properties such as aesthetics appearance, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance, thus expanding their applications. Among all these alloys, Cu-Ni alloys are widely applied as a coating material for several industrial applications due to their good strength and corrosion resistance. The addition of nickel in copper can improve the mechanical strength and corrosion resistance properties. Nowadays, Cu-Ni alloy coatings are widely employed in heat exchangers, marine hardware, condensers and piping in seawater systems. The performance of Cu-Ni alloy coatings is usually associated with their microstructure, composition and surface characteristics. Therefore, many researchers all over the globe are taking efforts to enhance the properties of Cu-Ni alloy. A novel method for facile synthesis of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced Cu-Ni alloy matrix composites with improved mechanical, tribological and corrosion properties is proposed in the present research work which will provide uniform dispersion of graphene nanoplatelets in Cu-Ni alloy matrix without damaging its structure. The proposed method is combination of electrodeposition method and powder metallurgy method. This novel method enables bulk production of graphene nanoplatelets reinforced Cu-Ni alloy matrix nanocomposites. |
| | Name: Paridhi Puri (Phd Awarded, 2020) (Supervisor)
Phd Thesis Title: Study, Design and Fabrication of 3D Carbon Electrodes for Cell Separation Using Dielectrophoresis
Phd Thesis Abstract: The thesis work details about the use of Dielectrophoresis phenomenon to separate biological cells. For the purpose of cell separation two different electrode materials have been employed i.e gold and carbon. The work details the fabrication and testing of gold and screen printed 3D carbon electrodes. It is well known that most of the MEMS devices employ the use of expensive metal electrodes, most probably gold, platinum, silver etc. However, the fabrication of microfluidic device by additive printing processes offers a number of advantages in terms of simplicity and cost when compared to the conventional fabrication techniques. Printing allows multiple components to be fabricated simultaneously and replacing subtractive processes such as photolithography and etching with additive processes reduces process complexity as well as materials waste. This makes printing a low cost process with the production of fully disposable microfluidic devices. From this study, it was concluded that carbon can prove to be a cost effective and reliable alternative to gold in near future, and the excellent properties of carbon should be exploited complimentary to, alternative to and beyond noble metals material capabilities. |
| | Name: Tamalika Bhakat (Phd Awarded, 2020) (Supervisor)
Phd Thesis Title: Behavioural Study of Stimuli Triggered Biopolymer for Non-invasive Drug Delivery
Phd Thesis Abstract: The thesis work was covered for designing and developing natural biocompatible smart polymer for sensing, transducing and actuation for drug delivery purposes. The upper volume phase transition temperature (UVPTT) and non-UVPTT based positive biohydrogels/biocomposites were developed, which were responsive to the applied external stimuli on medium, temperature, visible light for antibiotic release activities. The polyacrylic acid-co-polyacrylamide was modified with β-cyclodextrin (UVPTT) hydrogel. Whereas, the polyacrylamide was modified with guar gum to prepare the (non-UVPTT) positive hydrogel, The gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were reinforced into both prepared positive hydrogels network to make it visible light sensitive. The gels were performed in well manner through its reversible volume alterations upon the pulsatile stimuli, by showing the tendency to retain their original shape and size by freeing the solvent from network with the withdrawing the stimuli. Diffusion based swelling-deswelling kinetics was analyzed. The stimuli (pH of medium, temperature and visible light) triggered drug release phenomena by both UVPTT and non-UVPTT based positive biohydrogels/biocomposites were investigated using Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride. Both the composites showed highest efficacy on visible light in terms of drug loading and releasing capability. After prolonged release of CFXH, its bioactivity was confirmed on in-vitro bacteria culture and the released solvent was successfully inhibited the bacterial cell proliferation with increasing amount of drug. The in-vitro biocompatibility of polymer has been investigated on the viable mouse fibroblast cell line (L929). Both the biohydrogels and their composites anti-microbial property on both gram positive (Bascillus Subtilis) and gram negative bacteria (E. Coli) The developed UVPTT and non-UVPTT biohydrogels/biocomposites could have wide application in gastroretentive drug delivery as well as transdermal delivery due to their positive sensitivity on external medium pH, thermo and visible light stimuli. |
| | Name: Rohit Gunerkar (Phd Awarded, 2019) (Co-Supervisor) Phd Thesis Title: Fault Diagnosis of Rolling Element Bearing with Multiple Localized Defect using Mathematical Modelling and Experimental Analysis. Phd Thesis Abstract: Rolling Element Bearings have long been considered the heart of rotating machineries. Condition monitoring of rolling element bearings is highly important to reduce the machine downtime and to save economic losses associated with bearing damage. There are some significant factors by which rolling element bearings fails. One of the most significant factors is the generation of sub-surface fatigue cracks, which propagates to the surface over the period of time and causing the localized defects such as spalls and pits. The rolling elements when traverses through localized defects generate high amplitude of vibrations, which results into difference on dynamic behavior of rotor-bearing system. Thus, fault diagnosis of rolling element bearing is considered to be an important task under condition monitoring activities, in order to protect the system from any catastrophic failures. To address this issue of fault diagnosis of rolling element bearings more precisely and concisely, the research work performed under this thesis is the result of four major objectives. This objective includes dynamic modelling of rolling element bearing for assessing fault severity, experimental investigation of rolling element bearing with localized defects using RSM, fault diagnosis of rolling element bearing based on artificial neural network (ANN) and classification of bearings faults using vibro-acoustic sensor data fusion. |
