Microstructure–Property Relationships
Understanding how grain structure, interfaces, defects, texture and processing history influence material behaviour and performance.
Expertise
What I bring to a materials problem
I use these tools not only to measure materials, but to explain what the results mean for performance, process optimisation and material selection.
Scientific Expertise
What I understand about how materials behave — and why they behave that way.
Defects, Interfaces & Transport
Analysis of grain-boundary diffusion, segregation, atomic transport and defect-controlled behaviour in metals, alloys and thin-film systems.
Deformation, Creep & Reliability
Studying how materials respond to mechanical loading, deformation processing, thermal exposure and long-term service conditions.
Thin Films & Process-Dependent Behaviour
Experience with thin-film fabrication, PVD/sputtered layers and functional films, with attention to structure, interfaces and processing effects.
Hands-on Methods
The instruments and processing routes I run myself, from specimen to interpretation.
Advanced Materials Characterisation
Electron microscopy, EBSD/OIM, EDX/EDS, XRD, SIMS and indentation methods to study structure, chemistry, texture, defects and local properties.
Electron Microscopy & Diffraction
SEM imaging, EBSD/OIM orientation mapping, EDS/EDX chemistry and XRD phase analysis — the day-to-day tools for reading a microstructure and what processing did to it.
Diffusion & Depth Profiling
Radiotracer diffusion measurement with serial sectioning, SIMS depth profiling, and EXAFS/PDF local structure analysis — measuring atomic transport rather than inferring it.
Deformation Processing
High-pressure torsion, equal-channel angular pressing, cold rolling and gradient-microstructure routes, used to write a defined defect state into a metal.
Mechanical Testing & Thin-Film Fabrication
Stress–strain, creep and hardness testing; chemical bath deposition, sputtering and PVD for films and coatings — from specimen preparation through to interpretation.
Project Strengths
How the science turns into decisions a project team can act on.
Mechanism-Based Problem Solving
Connecting experimental observations with theoretical and computational interpretation to explain materials behaviour, not just describe it.
Technical Advisory & Communication
Translating complex materials data into clear conclusions for research teams, engineering groups, decision-makers and external collaborators.
Project Planning & Research Coordination
Managing experimental workflows, coordinating tasks, tracking progress, documenting results and aligning technical work with project goals.
Materials Design for Applications
Applying scientific understanding to support material selection, processing optimization, failure analysis and performance improvement.
Developing Capability
Where I am deliberately extending what I can offer.
AI/ML for Materials Analysis
Python, machine learning and physics-informed models applied to materials data, through an AI/ML Engineer Certificate Program at IIT Mandi and IIT Pravartak.
Sustainable & Circular Materials
Recyclability, reduced critical and toxic substances, lower environmental footprint and smart functionality — bringing microstructure–property knowledge to circular materials questions.
Scientific Integration
Connecting experiments, theory, writing and AI/ML.
Experiments → Theory → Writing → AI/ML → Better materials decisions.
Experimental Evidence
- Radiotracer diffusion
- SIMS
- SEM / EBSD / OIM
- EDX / XRD / EXAFS-PDF
- Mechanical testing
Theory Connection
- DFT / atomistic modeling
- Defect mechanisms
- Grain-boundary science
- Structure–property relationships
Future Capability
- AI/ML for physics and materials science
- Data interpretation
- Physics-informed insights
Experiments → Theory → Writing → AI/ML → Better materials decisions
Instrumentation
Instrumentation & Experimental Development
Building and adapting tools for better science.
I modified an existing INSTRON setup and developed a new testing procedure to study creep and deformation in specially designed SCS samples. The method combined controlled compression, shear, parallel and perpendicular loading modes with heat treatment during deformation, allowing material behaviour to be studied under more realistic thermo-mechanical conditions.
Value: This work shows my ability to develop practical experimental methods, adapt equipment, design test geometries and connect mechanical loading with microstructure evolution and long-term material stability.
- Modified INSTRON system for in-situ compression / tensile tests
- Temperature, stress and time control
- Low strain compression testing
- Compression & tensile practicals
- Safety & precision in high-sensitivity experiments
Keywords: INSTRON modification · 3D compression · Creep testing · Thermo-mechanical loading · SCS sample design · Method development · Microstructure evolution
AI/ML for Physics & Materials Science
I am currently completing an AI/ML Engineer Certificate Program at IIT Mandi and IIT Pravartak, extending my work toward physics-informed machine learning models and data-driven materials insight. AI/ML will enhance — not replace — scientific thinking.
- Learning AI/ML techniques for physical systems
- Data-driven materials insight
- Physics-informed ML models
- Certificate expected within the next 6 months