Welcome

Hi there,

I am a Ph.D. student (pre-candidacy) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park. Currently, I am pursuing my Ph.D. in experimental mechanics. My primary responsibilities include the characterization of viscoelastic properties of highly filled polymers used in electronic packaging applications.

Previously, I worked as a Junior Mechanical Engineer at Technovative Solutions LTD (TVS). Primarily, I was associated with a project titled ComBioTES. As part of the team, my task was to assess the LCOE and LCA of the bio-based thermal storage systems. Additionally, I participated in developing a web-based Database and Knowledge-based System that will house all relevant research and information for the project. A Decision Support System for future consumers based on economic estimations, and consideration of environmental impacts was also under construction during the time I left the position.

Alongside this, I collaborated on another project named the BRV (Building Renovation Project). My task was to assess the cooling and heating load requirements to determine the thermal load for an existing residential building under dynamic conditions.

I was also affiliated with my undergrad professor, working as a voluntary research assistant for a year. My primary area of expertise was the computational physics of functionally graded and composite materials. I gathered experience in modeling and simulation of several electro-thermal analyses of FGM and Metal Matrix Composites utilizing the Finite-difference method. My competence in MATLAB programming language surely expedited my venture in this field.

I wish to become a proficient researcher; therefore, my keen interest is to expand my knowledge and enhance my skills in the aforementioned areas as well as other related fields like Machine Learning in computational analysis, Automation, Additive Manufacturing of metamaterials, etc.

Research

Undergraduate Thesis

Transient Non-linear Electrothermal Behaviour of Functionally Graded Angled Metal Lines Under a Direct Current Field

My undergraduate thesis was defended on determining and assessing the electro-thermal response of conductor lines composed of Functionally-Graded Materials (FGM) under constant dc flow. The right-angled metallic conductor consisting of Aluminum and Copper was designed based on the Sigmoid FGM modeling technique. Me and my partner, MD Fahim Khan, under the scholastic supervision of Dr. SR Ahmed, modified and rederived Laplace's equation to facilitate the electro-thermal analysis of the Functionally Graded conductor line. In addition, an intricate coupling of governing equations was established to account for the spatial and temperature dependency of material properties. The simulation was conducted based on the Finite Difference numerical technique utilizing the MATLAB programming platform. We are glad to have the opportunity to present this work at ACMFMS 2022 in IIT Guwahati, India, this December.

Specifications

Potential distribution

Temperature gradient

Study of a Thin Conductive Layer of Metal Matrix Composite Reinforced by Graphite Fibers.

The two-dimensional computational analysis of a Metal Matrix Composite's (MMC) electrical, thermal, and mechanical response was studied in this research. We investigated the mechanical response of the MMC subjected to a dc flow while maintaining firmly fastened edges to prevent any axial or lateral displacement, resulting in thermally induced stress. Here, I contributed by developing the formulation that governs the transverse electrical resistivity of the MMC to capacitate the study as well as designing the electro-thermal model along with my supervisor Dr. SR Ahmed and fellow scholars Pranta Rahman Sarkar, Anas Aziz, et al. We are preparing to submit this work to a Q1 journal this January.

Compatibility of Metal Matrix Composite as a Resistive Heating Element using Electrothermal Analysis

This work is also based on the numerical analysis of the electro-thermal behavior of metal lines. Rather this time the material was a Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) consisting of Tungsten and Graphite fiber. Here, me partnering with MD Fahim Khan, analyzed the resistive heating capability of the MMC by measuring the rise in air temperature heated using the MMC unit and compared the results with the conventional heating element Nichrome.

Comparison of heating capacity

comparison of electrical efficiency

Academic Projects

RoboVAC

RoboVac was a mechatronics project under the academic curriculum during my undergraduate program. The primary motivation for the project was to design and manufacture a low-cost automated vacuum cleaner that can clean dirt, small pieces of paper, dust, pinheads, etc., from open-laid spaces like gymnasiums, auditoriums, and large halls. Later, the design was modified and adapted for household usage.

The vacuum cleaner was modeled and fabricated as separate assemblable components, such as the vacuum unit, control and command unit, power supply unit, and carriage unit. Such a system allows the quick installation and replacement of parts, which ensures better and easy servicing, repair, and improvement opportunities. One of the distinct features of the low-cost design was the structural parts made of PVC, which is cheap, lightweight, and machinable. The vacuum was fitted with a self-designed 3-D printed impeller with higher suction efficiency ensuring minimalistic energy cost. The power supply unit consisted of three removable dedicated lithium-polymer batteries with separate charging points for the vacuum, control, and carriage unit to facilitate long and reliable working hours.

The heart of the control unit was an Arduino Uno capacitating simple algorithm-based automation. Arduino is cheaper than most processor units available here and can be programmed using a convenient programming language almost similar to C. Later the algorithm-based model was reinvigorated by a sonar-mapping-based model, eventually enhancing the device's compatibility for denser household use. The control system also included features like wireless control using Bluetooth and wifi connections with the help of a simple, self-developed open-source Android App.

rOBOVAC POstar.pdf

Design of Hairpin HTX

Modeling and designing a double pipe heat exchanger was a project under the sessional course "ME-307 Heat Transfer Equipment Design." The motivation for the course was to design and manufacture an industrial-grade hairpin heat exchanger.

There were several parameters that the design had to satisfy, such as constant mass flow rate of fluids, fixed output temperature with minimal tolerance, limited pressure difference, etc. The major constraints were the selection of materials, cost, and space restrictions.

In this project, the hand-calculated results of thermo-hydraulic parameters were later verified by "HTRI Exchanger Suite." The mechanical model and technical drawings of the components and assembly were designed utilizing SOLIDWORKS Drawing Service. We also performed the economic analysis by hand and using MS Excel. Overall, the project provided ample opportunities to grasp the fundamentals of designing tasks. We were able to develop some level of proficiency in the aforementioned design software packages thanks to our integrated learning and application experience. Ironically, the scope to properly market the design was the only element lacking in the entire sessional.

Schematic diagram

Figure: Two Hairpin in series connection of 1.3m nominal length

Final assembly of the HTX

Cooling Load Calculation

This project was a part of a three-credit hour theory course titled "ME-415 Refrigeration and Building Mechanical System." The main goal of the project was to determine the cooling capacity necessary to maintain a comfortable living space. Here, we exploited the composite wall theory to determine the effective thermal conductivity coefficient and CLTD method for the temperature differences of each side of the wall, door, and window elements that dictate the inflow and outflow of solar heat in different forms. Interestingly, a big portion of the cooling effort was to make up for the sensible and latent heat gain of the equipment and occupants. All of the necessary data was obtained from standard empirical data sheets.

This project resembled an apprenticeship in the design of an air conditioning system.

Schematic of the living space

Other Projects

Analysis of a Waste Incineration IGCC Plant

The design and analysis of a waste incineration IGCC plant was a paid group project patronized by several reputed companies to promote the agenda of new-generation eco-friendly power plants among compatriot students. Waste incineration plants are a distinct type of power generation unit that utilizes municipal waste as fuel to produce electricity. In integrated gasification plants, the low-grade fuels are gasified, separated, and purified to produce synthetic gas, which is then fed into modified gas turbines to produce electricity. Subsequently, the hot exhaust gas of the GT is then used to propel a steam turbine that improves the efficiency significantly. As a member, my job was to analyze the performance of the three-stage reheat Rankine cycle plant under certain input constraints. I developed a program that can accurately predict perfect configurations and their performance as per requirements.