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.

 

Pushpanjali Singh | Material science | Young Scientist Award

Published on by Young Scientists Awards

Ms. Pushpanjali Singh | Material science | Young Scientist Award

Teerthanker mahaveer University | India

Pushpanjali Singh is a dedicated physicist and academic currently serving as Guest Faculty at Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, India. She is pursuing a Ph.D. in Physics, specializing in phosphates, pyrophosphates, and their nanocomposites and polymers for fuel cell applications. Pushpanjali earned her M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Physics from Teerthanker Mahaveer University, consistently demonstrating strong academic performance and a passion for scientific advancement. Her research expertise includes material science, nanotechnology, and electrochemical applications, with a focus on developing functional materials for energy devices. She has published multiple peer-reviewed journal articles on structural, thermal, optical, and transport properties of advanced compounds, contributing to the field of solid acid fuel cells. Pushpanjali actively participates in national and international conferences, presenting her research on sustainable energy solutions and advanced materials. She has attended specialized workshops on academic writing, research methodologies, and nanofabrication, strengthening her research and writing skills. Her technical proficiency includes MATLAB, SPSS, C++, JAVA, and handling scientific equipment like UV-Visible Spectrophotometers, FTIR, and Cyclic Voltametric Systems. With three years of undergraduate teaching experience in subjects such as Optics, Digital Logic, and Solid-State Physics, she combines research knowledge with effective pedagogy. Pushpanjali is known for her team spirit, dedication, and leadership qualities. Her commitment to advancing physics and materials science reflects in her aim to contribute meaningfully to academic research and sustainable energy technology development.

Profile: Scopus

Featured Publications

  1. Singh, P., Sharma, A. K., & Kumar, P. (2025). Phase, porosity, and conductivity analysis of RbH₂PO₄/CeP₂O₇ nanocomposites. Ionics, 31, 2291–2301.

  2. Singh, P., Sharma, A. K., Kumar, P., Veer, D., Kumar, D., Singh, D., & Katiyar, R. S. (2024). Role of pyrophosphate source for improving proton conductivity and stability of sodium dihydrogen phosphate. Russian Journal of Inorganic Chemistry.

  3. Singh, P., Sharma, A. K., & Kumar, P. (2024). Review of the literature on the thermal stability and conductivity of solid acid fuel cells. Macromolecular Symposia, 413(5).

  1. Singh, P., Sharma, A. K., & Kumar, P. (2025). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy study of NaH₂PO₄/CeP₂O₇ powder electrolyte. Powder Materials Science Letters, 4, 161–169.