Bio Sketch

A doctorate in Metallurgical Engineering from IIT Kanpur, Dr. Das has accomplished in basic as well as applied research in Materials Science and Technology, Metal Matrix Composites, Light alloys, metal foam, and tribomaterials with applications in ranging from automotive components, mining equipment components, farm machinery implements and defense are the main areas. His work embodies a vast pool of knowledge and experience as R&D scientist in Materials Science & Technology.

The academic achievements are manifested in his original research contributions through over 166 papers published in refereed international journals (with high impact factors). These contributions are well reckoned as shown through numerous citations to his papers, an example being his review paper on metal matrix composites published in International Metals Review (1986) that has registered 596 citations and continues to be cited till very recently. His original work on solidification processing of MMCs, structure property correlations, understanding of dispersion of particulates in metallic melts has made it possible to make tailor-made composites. He has carried out work on tribological studies, mechanical properties, and thermo-mechanical processing of MMCs. He has guided a number of PhD and postgraduate research scholars. His frequent best paper awards, in metallography contest in reputed conferences, invitation from US university as guest faculty bear testimony to his pursuit of academic excellence.His endeavors in applied and industrial R&D are best exemplified in his design of a custom-built stir caster (capacity of 100 kg melt per batch) for particulate dispersed MMCs. Development of prototype automobile components such as brakedrums, brake discs, pistons, cylinder liners, with MMCs and performance evaluation has been a major work. Similarly, components for mining and mineral & coal processing equipment have been demonstrated in field applications. A refax apex insert for hydrocyclones made out of MMC's was successfully demonstrated at HZL mines.

The recent work consists of development of aluminium foams for different applications where low density and high specific energy absorption is required in automobile, aerospace and thermal management sectors. He has designed a system for converting 30 kg of Al alloy composite melt into foam is worth mentioned. A climatizer has been designed and fabricated using open pore Al foam. Water is fed through the Al foam and the heat is extracted from the chamber as latent heat of evaporation. The Climatizer is capable to reduce the chamber temperature to an extent of 15ºC. Recently foam filled Al foam crash box is designed and made for automobile application.

In the implementation of such varied type of industrial projects, Dr. Das has had a very rewarding interaction with industries such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, Hindustan Zinc Ltd, coal industries etc that have given him credentials for knowledge networking and management. He values integrity, quality and efficiency and has been recipient of the Metallurgist of the year - 2003 Award (NMD) instituted by Ministry of Steel, Govt of India.