Research

 Available Research Projects in our CDL group for the coming January 2026 semester

Highly motivated students who are willing to pursue research in the following areas may get in touch.

Email: talha@iitmandi.ac.in

Project #1: 

• Development of 3D printed nitinol-graphene composite-based functionally graded waveguides with tuneable flexibility and shape memory features for aerospace applications

Summary: In aerospace applications, waveguides' high electric and thermal conductivity is required to ensure efficient signal transmission and heat dissipation. The choice of material and design may vary for specific applications, but the fundamental requirements of electric and thermal conductivity remain critical for optimal performance. 

Project #2: 

• Investigations on stainless steel-based 3D printed functional prototypes with tunable solidification rate for space applications 

Summary: This project aims to develop the stainless-steel-based 3D-printed functional prototypes with tunable solidification rates for high-performance, lightweight materials. The study involves the simulation for phase changes and the characterization of functional prototypes prepared by 3D printing as a proof of concept. As lightweight materials are crucial for space applications (as they contribute to reducing launch costs and increasing payload capacity), the development of new alloys aims to reduce the weight of space components while maintaining or improving their mechanical properties. 

Project #3: 

• Experimental and Numerical investigation on the reuse of fallow powder for sustainable laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing

Summary: The proposed work aims to ascertain the tunable mechanical properties of a prepared functional prototype using different meta-structures with recycled fallow metallic powder. It is proposed to investigate the effect of heat-treatment on recycled metallic powder (17-4 PH stainless steel, Ti-6Al-4V and Ni-625), process parametric optimization of LPBF while fabricating functional prototypes (for tensile, compressive, torsional and flexural loading conditions) using auxetic structures with recycled powders.

Project #4: 

• Designing and fabrication of an advanced single-point cutting tool with a lattice core and functionally graded material configuration

Summary: This study focuses on designing and fabricating advanced single-point cutting tools using additive manufacturing (AM) for conventional machining applications. Single-point cutting tools are indispensable in traditional machining operations, and their utility lies in their structural simplicity, precise bulk material removal, cost-effectiveness, and reusability through regrinding.

One of the critical performance bottlenecks in single-point cutting tools is rapid tool wear due to sustained mechanical and thermal loading at the tool–workpiece interface.. Materials like Ti-6Al-4V and Inconel 718 frequently pose significant machining challenges due to their low thermal conductivity and strong adhesion characteristics, which promote BUE formation and high cutting temperatures in aerospace and biomedical engineering applications. Electric discharge machining (EDM) is often used to overcome these challenges; however, EDM is limited by lower material removal rates, surface recast layers, and tool wear, making it unsuitable for high-volume or precision turning applications.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  18 November 2025

High Technology Materials & Structures (Functionally Graded Materials) 

Functionally Graded Cellular Strucutres