We run an active, well equipped and well-funded research group on surface technology. We have a modern Metco 80 kW plasma spray facility, DPV and Accuraspray particle monitors. We also have in house facilities for SEM, XRD, higt temperature Tribometry, scratch test, ball milling, surface profiling, standard optical and stereo microscopy. For other facilities like TEM, HR-TEM, FIB, micro-CT we use the institute central facilities. So far twelve PhDs and around 25 MTechs have graduated from this laboratory. Presently, 4 PhD candidates are also working in this group. Four of our graduates (PhD) have joined the faculty of IITs across India. One hahas been offered a tenured scientist postion in Nat. Inst. Adv. Ind. Sc. & Tech Tsukuba, Japan. Our alumni are also present in NIT, DRDO and BIT. Currently we are running a number of sponsored projects. We regularly publish articles in peer reviewed journals of repute, e.g., Materials & Design, J Eur ceramic Soc., Surface and Coatings Technology, Wear, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, etc.
At present we are working on a number of areas of current research interest. For example, thermally sprayed self lubricated thermally coatings. In addition, we have started working on problems of direct industrial relevance like coating of aero-engine compressor discs. We are also working on a fundamental coating research area like splat-substrate interaction.
Areas of active research interest are listed below.
Coatings for aero-engine
Carbon nanotube reinforced thermally sprayed coatings
Particle temperature and velocity as primary parameters in thermal spraying
Splat-substrate interaction
Thermally sprayed lubricated coatings