Navindra Shekhar Shakunt | Composite | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Navindra Shekhar Shakunt | Composite | Best Researcher Award

Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad | India

Dr. Navindra Shekhar Shakunt is an accomplished materials scientist and engineer specializing in materials processing, with a particular focus on powder metallurgical processing of tungsten heavy alloys (WHAs), high-entropy alloys (HEAs), and structure-performance correlations. He currently serves as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, India, where he investigates the heat treatment and mechanical properties of advanced high-strength steels for automotive applications. Previously, he worked as a Research Associate at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, contributing to the development of refractory alloys using additive manufacturing and studying their tribological behavior. Navindra completed his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, with a thesis on powder metallurgical processing and characterization of W-Ni-Cu heavy alloys modified with La₂O₃ and Fe, under the guidance of Professors Anish Upadhyaya and Gouthama. He also holds an M.Tech. in Materials Engineering from the University of Hyderabad, where he focused on the development and mechanical properties of multicomponent high-entropy alloys, and a B.Tech. in Mechanical Engineering from Uttar Pradesh Technical University. His research expertise includes liquid-phase and super-solidus sintering, mechanical characterization using TEM, nanoindentation, tribological studies, and the design and evaluation of quenching and partitioning steels. Navindra has published extensively in high-impact journals such as International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials, Materials Chemistry and Physics, Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, and Journal of Alloys and Compounds, and has presented his work at numerous national and international conferences. his work has been cited by 33 documents across 5 published research articles, with an h-index of 3. Known for his meticulous experimental skills, analytical mindset, and commitment to advancing materials science, Navindra continues to pursue innovative research in alloy design, mechanical performance, and additive manufacturing, contributing significantly to the development of advanced structural materials with enhanced reliability, durability, and tribological performance.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

  • Shakunt, N. S., Gouthama, & Upadhyaya, A. (2024). Microstructure and mechanical characterizations of liquid phase sintered W-Ni-Cu heavy alloy modified with La₂O₃ and Fe addition. International Journal of Refractory Metals and Hard Materials, 127, 105488.

  • Shakunt, N. S., Gouthama, & Upadhyaya, A. (2024). Effect of La₂O₃ addition on microstructure and mechanical properties of W-Ni-Cu tungsten heavy alloy. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 318, 128404.

  • Shakunt, N. S., Gouthama, & Upadhyaya, A. (2024). Tribological investigations of La₂O₃ dispersed W-Ni-Cu heavy alloy processed through powder metallurgy process. Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 34, 1234–1245.

  • Shakunt, N. S., Gouthama, & Upadhyaya, A. (2023). Effect of Fe addition in W-Ni-Cu heavy alloy processed through powder metallurgy on microstructure and mechanical properties. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 970, 171948.

  • Shakunt, N. S., Gouthama, & Upadhyaya, A. (2022, December 14–16). Addition of La₂O₃ content in the W-Ni-Cu heavy alloy processed through the powder metallurgy route. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Frontiers in Materials Engineering: Abstract Book INIS (Vol. 54). IIT Indore.

 

JINDE zhang | composite | Best Researcher Award

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Mr. JINDE zhang | composite | Best Researcher Award

Research Professor, University of Massachusetts Lowell, United States

Dr. Jinde Zhang is a Research Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he has contributed significantly to the fields of polymer chemistry, superhydrophobic surfaces, and advanced manufacturing techniques. With a PhD in Plastics Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Dr. Zhang’s expertise lies in the development of innovative materials and coatings, focusing on their applications in corrosion resistance, drag reduction, and ice adhesion. His work is widely published, with numerous articles in well-respected journals such as ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces and Surface and Coatings Technology. 🌟🔬

Publication Profile

ORCID

Education:

Dr. Zhang holds a PhD in Plastics Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell (2015), a Master’s degree in Polymer Chemistry and Physics from the University of Science and Technology of China (2011), and a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Chemistry from Xidian University, China (2007). 🎓📚

Experience:

He has held key positions at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, serving as a Research Assistant Professor since 2022, a Research Scientist from 2017 to 2022, and a Postdoctoral Researcher from 2015 to 2017. His research focuses on polymer materials, superhydrophobic coatings, and their applications in reducing environmental impacts and improving industrial processes. 🏫💼

Awards and Honors:

Throughout his career, Dr. Zhang has received multiple honors and recognitions for his work in the field of polymer chemistry and materials engineering, including awards for his contributions to surface treatments and materials development in engineering. 🏆🎖️

Research Focus:

Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on the development of advanced superhydrophobic surfaces, their properties in corrosion resistance, and drag reduction. He has also worked on the effects of topography in improving material performance for various applications, including coatings and composites. His contributions to understanding the fundamental principles of surface chemistry have made significant impacts on the fields of materials science and engineering. 🔬🧪

Conclusion:

Dr. Zhang is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of material science with a focus on practical applications that improve industrial efficiency and sustainability. His work continues to influence the development of advanced materials for real-world applications. 🌍💡

Publications

Effect of Protein Adsorption on Air Plastron Behavior of a Superhydrophobic Surface. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. 2021 Nov 23; 13(48):58096-58103. Available here. DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c15981.

The effect of superhydrophobic surface topography on underwater corrosion resistance of steel. Journal of Coatings Technology and Research. 2021 Jan 06; 18(3):685-693. Available here. DOI: 10.1007/s11998-020-00433-1.

The effect of composite interface morphology on wetting states for nanocomposite superhydrophobic coating. Surface and Coatings Technology. 2020 Apr; 387:125457. Available here. DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2020.125457.

Effect of Superhydrophobic Composite Coatings on Drag Reduction in Laminar Flow. ACS Applied Polymer Materials. 2020 Mar 03; 2(4):1614-1622. Available here. DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.0c00049.

Roll-to-Roll Hot Embossing of High Aspect Ratio Micro Pillars for Superhydrophobic Applications. International Polymer Processing. 2019 Nov 21; 34(5):502-512. Available here. DOI: 10.3139/217.3815.