Research

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Our research:

Research in M3RG is at the intersection of materials and mechanics. Our research philosophy is based on a two way informed analysis–design methodology wherein, first, the research focusses to develop a fundamental understanding of the material behavior. The knowledge gained from this improved understanding will be used to design materials for practical applications. This design then acts as a feedback mechanism in improving our understanding of complex material behavior. The main research areas we work on currently are as follows.

  • Machine-learning aided materials design: In materials, understanding and predicting the composition–structure–property relationship is the key to developing novel materials. Such predictions are typically hindered by the complex physics happening at different length and time scales, along with the large number of structural and compositional arrangements possible. As an alternative route, data-driven approaches such as machine learning can prove key to predict structure and composition of materials for tailored applications. The aim of this research is to rely on the large database available in the literature from previous experiments and simulations to design and test new compositions and structures of materials for targeted applications. We have launched a software package Python for Glass Genomics (PyGGi, http://pyggi.iitd.ac.in), which has the trained model for eight properties and growing!
  • Radiation-resistant materials: Materials, when exposed to high-energy radiation, undergo significant disordering at the atomic scale. This atomic disordering is associated with the degradation in the physical properties including, but not limited to, stiffness, strength, and chemical durability. The aim of this research is to develop a fundamental understanding on the effect of neutron irradiation on a broad class inorganic materials ranging from aggregate minerals to glasses. The understanding will aid the design of radiation-resistant materials.
  • Glasses for nuclear waste immobilization: Nuclear wastes, produced by spent fuels of the nuclear power plants, are highly hazardous and are typically immobilized in glasses, namely borosilicate and phosphosilicate. The aim of this research is to develop a compositional map of borosilicate glasses suitable for nuclear waste immobilization in terms of processability, chemical durability, and stability.
  • Dynamic fracture and explosion using peridynamics: Peridynamics is an integral reformulation of the continuum equations of motion. Due to it's inherent ability to deal with discontinuities in the displacement and stress fields, peridynamics is a highly useful method for studying dynamic fracture, impact-damage and explosion. The aim of this research is to understand the nature of crack propagation and failure in materials subjected to extreme loading such as bullet impact or explosion. The knowledge gained from the computational studies will be used to design novel materials with tailored design for impact and blast related applications.
  • Mesoscale mechanics of cement hydrate: Cement hydrate exhibit a unique structure at the mesoscale, which holds the key to understanding and improving the behavior of cementitious materials. This is particularly important as cement manufacturing alone contributes more than 8% of the global CO2 production. The research aims to understand the effect mesoscale structure on the mechanical and kinetic properties of cement hydrate ranging from the plastic yielding to viscosity.
  • Atomic tuning of mechanical properties in glasses: Mechanical properties of silicate glasses, such as the Corning gorilla glass, are strongly dependent on the atomic compositions. However, this dependence exhibits a highly non-convex and non-linear behavior. The aim of this research is to understand the effect of composition on the fracture toughness, hardness, and scratch resistance of silicate glasses. The atomic level study will be coupled with continuum level analysis to understand the origin of the permanent deformation under scratching and indentation. The ultimate goal is to develop glassy compositions that are highly resistant to scratching and indentation.
  • Mechanics and kinetics of disordered nanomaterials: Nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes and graphene hold unlimited potential, thanks to their superior mechanical and electronic properties. Recently, these materials have been found to exist in disordered forms as well, as a counterpart to their crystalline forms. The aim of this research is to understand the fundamental state of these disordered nanomaterials and to assess their mechanical properties, which could potentially open a new field of 2D glassy nanomaterials.

FUNDING

1. INSPIRE Faculty award for the project titled, "Atomic and mesoscale modeling of radiation-damage in concrete", Department of Science and Technology, India: 31/10/2017–30/10/2022 (INR 3,500,000).

2. SERB Early Career Researcher Award for project titled, "Elucidating Composition-Structure-Property Relationships in Silicate Glasses for Fracture- and Scratch-Resistant Applications", Department of Science and Technology, India: 15/03/2019–14/03/2022 (INR 5,000,000).

3. SPARC project titled, "Design and Manufacturing of Ultra-high Velocity Bullet and Fragments Resistant Armor" with Indian PI: Prof. Naresh Bhatnagar (ME, IIT Delhi), Indian co-PI: Prof. N. M. Anoop Krishnan, International PI: Prof. Subramaniam D. Rajan (Arizona State University), International co-PI: Dr. Ashok Bhatnagar (Honeywell International), 15/03/2019–14/03/2021 (INR 10,000,000).