The research focused on the machinability of Nimonic C-263 superalloy using the wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) process, establishing relationships between key process variables. During WEDM, partial expulsion and re-solidification of molten material form a hard surface layer, altering surface topography and metallurgy due to rapid thermal cycling. To address this, two in-process and two post-processing strategies were evaluated for their effects on surface topography, roughness, composition, and microhardness. Additionally, the mobility of contaminated WEDM slurry in soil and groundwater was modeled using advection–dispersion equations, with analytical solutions derived via the Laplace transform for contaminant concentration variation.

Awarded / Status: Awarded
Thesis Title:INVESTIGATION ON MACHINING OF NIMONIC C-263 SUPER ALLOY USING WIRE-EDM PROCESS
Year of Award (if completed): 2015

Cutting fluids cool, lubricate, and remove chips during machining but pose environmental and health concerns, contributing 16–20% of production costs. Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) with nanofluids offers a green alternative. Al₂O₃-based hybrid nanofluids (Al-MWCNT, Al-GnP, Al-MoS₂) were characterized and tested in turning operations. Al-MWCNT showed the best performance, reducing forces, surface roughness, temperature, and tool wear, validated via tribological tests, wettability analysis, and conjugate heat transfer simulations, outperforming base and other hybrid nanofluids.

Awarded / Status: Awarded
Thesis Title: AN INVESTIGATION ON PERFORMANCE OF HYBRID NANOPARTICLE ENRICHED CUTTING FLUIDS IN TURNING OPERATION
Year of Award (if completed):2017

Dr. Ashish Kumar Srivastava completed his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad in February 2018 under the guidance of Dr. Amit Rai Dixit, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering. His research titled “Synthesis, Characterization and Machinability of Hybrid Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite” involved two phases. In the first, he developed hybrid composites using electromagnetic stir casting and characterized them through microscopy, FESEM, and XRD. In the second, he compared the machinability and surface integrity of the composites using CNC, wire EDM, and abrasive waterjet machining. His Ph.D. work resulted in 07 SCI papers and 04 Scopus-indexed book chapters.

Awarded / Status: Awarded
Thesis Title: Synthesis Characterization and Machinability of Hybrid Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite
Year of Award (if completed): 2018

Turning is a widely used metal cutting process to achieve desired shape, size, and surface finish by removing excess material as chips. Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) or Near Dry Machining (NDM) optimizes cutting fluid application at the tool-workpiece interface. This study used graphene (GnP) and MWCNT nanofluids, characterized for thermophysical and tribological properties, to evaluate machining performance. Forces (Fx, Fy, Fz), surface roughness (Ra), tool flank wear (VB), and nodal temperature were measured. MWCNT nanofluid reduced forces and temperature significantly, while GnP nanofluid improved surface roughness and temperature. Results highlight complementary advantages of both nanofluids in turning applications.

Awarded / Status: Awarded
Thesis Title: Investigation on the Effect of Nano-Particle Mixed Cutting Fluid on Metal Cutting Process
Year of Award (if completed):2019

The primary aim of the PhD work was to study the microstructural and mechanical characteristics of the Mg-6Al alloy-based nanocomposites processed through disintegrated melt deposition technique followed by hot extrusion. The Mg-6Al alloy matrix was reinforced with 0.66 and 1.11 wt% nano-sized Al2O3 particulates. The tribological characteristics of the nanocomposites were also evaluated including the examination of different wear features at different combinations of sliding speed and normal loads. The next objective of the PhD research was to investigate the machinability characteristics of the nanocomposites using non-traditional machining methods. Finally, the effect of mechanical erosion process and thermal erosion process on the machining behavior on the nanocomposites was analyzed.

Awarded / Status: Awarded
Thesis Title: MECHANICAL AND MACHINING CHARACTERIZATION OF Mg-BASED NANOCOMPOSITES
Year of Award (if completed):2019

The Ph.D. research focused on developing highly conductive gold nanoparticle inks using novel precursor gold salts synthesized through the ultrasonic spray pyrolysis technique. Fluid dynamical and thermo-physical analyses were performed to define the jettability window, supported by ANSYS Fluent VOF simulations of ink droplet formation. Flow behavior at various ejection and jetting velocities was studied to optimize performance. The developed ink was successfully tested for printing on paper substrates using inkjet and extrusion printers. The research was carried out in collaboration with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. h.c. Bernd Friedrich (RWTH Aachen, Germany) and Prof. Dr. Rebeka Rudolf (University of Maribor, Slovenia).

Awarded / Status: Awarded
Thesis Title: Synthesis, Characterization of Gold Nanoparticle based ink and its application in Additive manufacturing
Year of Award (if completed): 2021

My study is about the critical challenges encountered by SMEs in their Operations Excellence journey. As part of the research a novel framework was proposed and implemented in manufacturing and service sector through case studies. Results confirm that the customisable framework suits to the requirements of SMEs.

Awarded / Status: Awarded
Thesis Title: A critical study and practical proposition for operations excellence in small and medium scale enterprises.
Year of Award (if completed): 2021

The increasing demand for miniaturized components in aerospace, biomedical, and information technology has advanced research in micro-manufacturing. Conventional machining techniques struggle with complex geometries and advanced materials, whereas micro-electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) offers higher precision and better surface quality. This study aims to enhance the surface properties of titanium alloys, which, despite their strength and corrosion resistance, form weak oxide layers under wear. Solid lubricants (MoS₂, WS₂, hBN) were added to the micro-EDM dielectric to improve performance. Characterization using FESEM, EDX, XRD, AFM, and mechanical testing revealed enhanced hardness, wear resistance, and self-lubricating behavior compared to the untreated alloy.

Awarded / Status: Awarded
Thesis Title: Surface Modification of Engineering Surfaces through powder mixed dielectric micro-electrical discharge process
Year of Award (if completed): 2022

Ultrasonic pulsating water jet (UPWJ) transforms continuous jets into discrete pulses, enhancing erosion efficiency at lower energy. This study investigated supply pressure, nozzle diameter, standoff distance, acoustic chamber length, traverse speed, fluid density, and modulation frequency. Optimal acoustic chamber tuning improved energy transfer, while nozzle size, pressure, and frequency increased erosion depth. UPWJ effectively eroded high-density tantalum and selectively disintegrated bone cement under low pressures with saline, demonstrating its potential for accelerated material testing and minimally invasive hip revision procedures.

Awarded / Status: Awarded
Thesis Title: CRITICAL INVESTIGATION OF SELECTIVE DISINTEGRATION OF BIOMATERIALS USING ULTRASONIC PULSATING LIQUID JET FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS
Year of Award (if completed): 2022

Graphene, a recent carbon-based nanomaterial, offers advantages over CNTs due to its large surface area, multilayer structure, and chemical modifiability. Unlike pristine graphene, surface functional groups influence interfacial interactions with epoxy in polymer composites. This study aims to: (a) create two- and three-phase polymeric composites using common nanofillers, optimizing filler content via sonication time, speed, and temperature; (b) assess carbon fiber orientation effects using 0/90° and 0/90/±45° stacking sequences; (c) identify functional groups enhancing mechanical properties; (d) evaluate ILSS via three-point short beam shear tests; and (e) analyze delamination and damage behavior through drop-weight impact and compression tests.

Awarded / Status: Awarded
Thesis Title:EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF GRAPHENE-MODIFIED MULTIPHASE POLYMERIC COMPOSITES FOR STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS
Year of Award (if completed): 2023

During my doctoral research, I investigated metal 3D printing, focusing on surface functionality, bulk properties, and tribological behaviour of additively manufactured 316L stainless steel. Micro-additive surfaces were developed using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Metal Binder Jetting. Techniques such as 3D profilometry, SEM, EDX, XPS, EBSD, XRD, UTM, and Vickers microhardness were used to study process-structure-property relationships. In-vitro hip-joint tribology was assessed via ball-on-plate tests in simulated body fluids. Biocompatibility was evaluated through surface wettability, long-term bioactivity, and MG-63 osteoblast cell culture. This work linked surface functionality, biocompatibility, and microstructure-property relationships across additive manufacturing routes.

Awarded / Status: Awarded
Thesis Title:
Additive Texturing of 316L Stainless Steel Using Laser Powder Bed Fusion and Binder Jetting to Improve Surface Functionality for Biomedical Applications Year of Award (if completed): 2023

The Ph.D. research focused on advancing vat-photopolymerization (VPP) and material extrusion (MEX) additive manufacturing to develop high-strength polymer nanocomposites with superior microwave absorption for electronics and defense applications. Nanocomposite suspensions reinforced with alumina and CNTs were optimized for printability and mechanical strength. A k-nearest neighbors model predicted dimensional accuracy in MEX. Mechanical, thermal, and structural characterizations confirmed robustness and stability. Electromagnetic properties were used to design gradient-index woodpile metamaterial microwave absorbers (GWMMA) via ANSYS HFSS simulations. The fabricated absorbers exhibited excellent X-band performance, proving their potential for EMI shielding and stealth applications.

Awarded / Status: Awarded
Thesis Title: PRINT FIDELITY EVALUATION AND MECHANICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF FORMULATED POLYMER NANOCOMPOSITES METAMATERIAL USING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN FABRICATING MICROWAVE ABSORBER
Year of Award (if completed): 2024

Vat photopolymerization (VPP) is a high-resolution additive manufacturing process used to develop fibre-reinforced composites with enhanced strength and durability. An Inter-Stage Stirring (ISS) method ensured uniform dispersion of short glass fibres, preventing sedimentation in liquid resins. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and Digital Image Correlation via NCORR-MATLAB assessed viscoelastic behaviour and post-curing strain-field deformation. Continuous woven glass fabrics were incorporated using a three-stage print optimization, achieving high fibre volume fractions, strong fibre-matrix bonding, and dimensional fidelity. Laminates with controlled orientations showed improved mechanical and thermal performance. Numerical simulations with representative volume elements and a Three-Network viscoplastic model validated experimental results, demonstrating VPP’s potential for robust, high-performance composites.

Awarded / Status: Pursuing
Thesis Title:Print Fidelity and Performance Evaluation of Photopolymer Composite using Additive Manufacturing Process
Year of Award (if completed):

My research focuses on bio-inspired additive texturing of Ti-6Al-4V using Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) for biomedical applications. By mimicking natural micro- and nano-scale patterns, such as lotus leaves and Namibian beetles, I aim to enhance surface properties, including cell adhesion and antibacterial performance. I also study droplet dynamics on these textured surfaces to understand spreading, bouncing, and sliding behavior, optimizing fluid interactions. This work integrates material science, manufacturing, and biology to develop advanced biomaterials for applications like self-cleaning surgical tools and drug-eluting implants.

Awarded / Status: Pursuing
Thesis Title:
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My Ph.D. research focuses on material extrusion-based additive manufacturing of advanced ceramics for microwave and RF applications. It involves optimizing de-binding strategies to improve densification and mechanical strength of 3D-printed components. By linking processing parameters with dielectric and mechanical properties, the work aims to develop reliable, high-performance ceramics for electronics and communication systems.

Awarded / Status: Pursuing
Thesis Title: Tunable Dilectric Propeties of 3D Printed Advanced Ceramics
Year of Award (if completed):

Investigation of mechanical behaviour of different types of lattice structure and their cytoxicity analysis for biomedical applications.

Awarded / Status: Pursuing
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This research advances Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) for fabricating complex metallic components. Despite LPBF’s design flexibility and material efficiency, challenges include residual stresses, distortion, surface irregularities, and limited understanding of process–structure relationships. The study develops a multilayer simulation model to predict thermal behavior, microstructural evolution, and part quality under varying parameters, while optimizing surface morphology to reduce defects and roughness. The outcomes aim to enhance reliability, performance, and industrial adoption of LPBF components in aerospace, biomedical, and engineering applications.

Awarded / Status: Pursuing
Thesis Title: Simulation Analysis and Post-Processing Strategies in Laser-Powder Bed Fusion Fabricated Components
Year of Award (if completed):

This study addresses challenges in abrasive water jet machining (AWJM) for high-precision milling, including limited exploration of process parameters, inadequate modeling, and material-specific effects. It focuses on optimizing key variables for controlled material removal using experimental and simulation approaches. Advanced statistical and mathematical techniques guide experiment design and predictive modeling, while computational fluid dynamics validates the process. Operations like pocketing and slotting are analyzed for surface integrity using advanced characterization. The work advances AWJM understanding, offering insights for defense, aerospace, biomedical, and engineering precision manufacturing.

Awarded / Status: Pursuing
Thesis Title: Comprehensive Analysis and Simulation-Based Modeling of Controlled Disintegration Using Abrasive Water Jet Milling
Year of Award (if completed):

This work focuses on developing UV-compatible resin systems and identifying processing parameters for defect-free 3D printing. Fabricated composites will be systematically evaluated for mechanical, thermal, thermo-mechanical, and viscoelastic properties using appropriate experimental tools. Computational modeling with ANSYS will simulate viscoelastic responses, while machine learning approaches will predict performance trends and elucidate the relationships between processing conditions, microstructure, and resulting material properties, enabling optimized design and enhanced functionality of printed composites.

Awarded / Status: Pursuing
Thesis Title: Fabrication and Characterization of Photopolymer Composites Using Vat Photopolymerization Additive Manufacturing Process for Multifunctional Applications
Year of Award (if completed):