Dr. Ritik Raj, Ph.D.

Welcome to my academic portfolio

Dr. Ritik is a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at National Taiwan University, specializing in the cutting-edge field of advanced manufacturing technologies. His research is driven by a passion for pushing the boundaries of multi-material additive manufacturing, particularly as applied to the development of sophisticated soft robotic systems. At the heart of Dr. Ritik's work lies the exploration of the synergistic relationship between mechanical engineering and robotics. He pioneers novel hybrid material extrusion techniques, enabling the fabrication of complex, multifunctional designs with meticulously analyzed mechanical properties. This interdisciplinary approach allows him to create innovative solutions that bridge the gap between traditional manufacturing and the emerging demands of soft robotics.

Dr. Ritik's academic journey culminated in a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST). Under the esteemed mentorship of Prof. Jeng-Ywan Jeng, Director of the Taiwan High-Speed 3D Printing Research Center at NTUST, his doctoral research delved into the intricacies of multi-material deposition strategies and their profound mechanical implications. As a key contributor to the Taiwan High-Speed 3D Printing Research Lab, he played a pivotal role in the development of groundbreaking multi-material additive manufacturing technologies.

Dr. Ritik's expertise extends beyond theoretical research. He possesses a strong foundation in design, advanced manufacturing, and simulation, which he leverages to tackle complex engineering challenges. His Ph.D. research specifically focused on multi-material additive manufacturing, encompassing the study of mechanical properties and numerical simulations of bioinspired structures. This experience equips him to develop, fabricate, and analyze similar bioinspired designs, optimizing their structures and parameters for real-world applications.

His research excellence is evidenced by a robust publication record, including five peer-reviewed articles. Notably, he has published in top-tier journals such as Materials and Design (Q1, IF: 8.4), Journal of Materials Research and Technology (Q1, IF: 6.4), and International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology (Q2, IF: 3.2). Further contributions are currently under review at Additive Manufacturing (Q1, IF: 10.6), demonstrating his commitment to disseminating high-impact research.

Dr. Ritik's contributions extend beyond publications. He has demonstrated exceptional grant-writing skills, securing approximately NT$3,600,000 in funding through the 11th Polish-Taiwanese Joint Research Call. Dr. Ritik's postdoctoral research at National Taiwan University has been significantly bolstered by the recent successful acquisition of an NSTC grant for the project, 'Development of insect-scale soft robots with multiple locomotion modes based on resonance-excited shape morphing.' Under the guidance of Prof. Jia-Yang Juang, Director of the Multiscale System Lab at NTU, Dr. Ritik will leverage this funding to advance his work on innovative soft robotic systems.