Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati), India | 2022 – Present

Specialization: Fluid and Thermal Engineering

Affiliation: Miniature Thermal Systems Research Lab

Research Focus: Experimental hydrodynamics and thermal modeling of passive two-phase heat transfer devices (Loop Heat Pipes, Pulsating Heat Pipes, and Grooved Heat Pipes).

Doctoral Research Focus:

Loop Heat Pipes (LHPs) & Miniature LHPs: Design, integration, and thermal characterization of flat-evaporator LHP architectures targeting high-heat-flux dissipation in aerospace payloads and electronics cooling.
Fabrication of Sintered Biporous Wicks: Development of dual-pore network nickel wicks using sacrificial pore-forming techniques and controlled-atmosphere powder metallurgy. The dual microstructure balances high capillary pumping pressure in the micropores with low vapor hydraulic resistance through the macropores, substantially delaying boiling incipience and raising the Critical Heat Flux (CHF).
Two-Phase Flow Visualization: In-situ optical diagnostics and high-speed flow regime imaging to capture transient phase-change mechanisms, meniscus recession, startup dynamics, and liquid-vapor interface behavior under variable thermal loads and gravitational orientations.
Lumped Parameter Network Modeling (LPNM): Formulation and development of steady-state and transient 1D Lumped Parameter Network Models implemented in GNU Octave and MATLAB. The framework accounts for evaporator-to-compensation chamber heat leaks, pressure drops across two-phase transport lines, and subcooling dynamics to predict operational thresholds and thermal resistance.

Key Laboratory & Computational Methodologies:

Experimental Rig Engineering: Evacuation, outgassing, precision micro-charging, and thermal testing under variable tilt and power increments.
Numerical & Data Tools: GNU Octave, MATLAB, ANSYS Fluent, Python (NumPy/SciPy), and high-frequency National Instruments DAQ systems

Master of Technology (M.Tech.) in Mechanical Engineering

National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NIT Rourkela), India | 2020 – 2022

Specialization: Cryogenics and Vacuum Technology

Department: Department of Mechanical Engineering

M.Tech. Thesis / Project:

Title: Thermal Stress Analysis for Piping Arrangement and Support System of Cold Box for a Helium Liquefier/Refrigerator
Affiliation / Industrial Alignment: Project work carried out in collaboration with the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata.

Key Technical Contributions & Methodologies:

Cryogenic Piping Flexibility & Stress Analysis: Evaluated severe thermal contractions, thermal gradients, and structural stresses induced during cool-down transients from ambient temperatures down to liquid helium temperatures (4.2 K).
Support System Optimization: Designed and placed structural piping supports, anchor points, and low-conduction thermal breaks to minimize parasitic heat in-leak into the vacuum jacket while accommodating thermo-mechanical deflections.
Code Compliance & Failure Prevention: Verified piping flexibility and sustained/occasional load combinations against international pressure piping standards (such as ASME B31.3 Process Piping Code) to prevent mechanical failure, flange leakage, or excessive nozzle loading on cold box equipment.
Finite Element & Structural Modeling: Conducted finite element analysis (FEA) and pipe stress modeling to identify localized stress concentrations, evaluate thermal expansion loops, and ensure structural integrity under ultra-high vacuum and sub-ambient operating conditions.

Core Academic & Laboratory Foundation:

Advanced refrigeration cycles (Claude, Gifford-McMahon, pulse tube), cryogenic multi-layer insulation (MLI), and ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems.
Sizing and thermal analysis of cryogenic plate-fin heat exchangers and helium cold box subsystems.

Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) in Mechanical Engineering

Lovely Professional University (LPU), Punjab, India | 2011 – 2015

Department: Department of Mechanical Engineering

B.Tech. Capstone Project:

Title: Numerical Simulation on Aerodynamic Drag Reduction in Automobiles Using Spoilers
Software / Tool: STAR-CCM+
Key Technical Contributions:
- Performed 3D Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to analyze external vehicle aerodynamics, wake structures, and boundary layer separation.
- Evaluated surface pressure distributions, downforce enhancement, and drag coefficient (Cd) reduction across varying spoiler angles of attack (AoA) and vehicle velocities.
- Modeled turbulent airflow using appropriate eddy-viscosity turbulence models to mitigate flow separation bubbles and vortex shedding in the rear recirculation zone.

Advanced Coursework & Theoretical Rigor:

Fluid & Thermal Sciences: Advanced Thermodynamics, Gas Dynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Heat & Mass Transfer, and Automobile Engineering.
Applied Mathematics & Computation: Engineering Mathematics, Differential Equations, and Numerical Analysis (iterative methods, boundary value problems, and numerical schemes for PDEs/ODEs).
Dynamics, Control & Mechanics: Mechanical Vibration (single/multi-DOF systems, damping, and resonance analysis), Robotics (kinematics, actuation, and workspace trajectory modeling), and Mechanics of Solids.

Industrial Internships & Practical Training:

Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC), Bhubaneswar (Summer 2013):
- Hands-on design and assembly modeling of industrial press tools and progressive dies.
- Applied 3D parametric CAD modeling and tool kinematics using Pro/ENGINEER (Creo Parametric).
Aarti Steels Limited (Summer 2014):
- Industrial study of steel manufacturing, raw material handling, and blast furnace operations.
- Evaluated production workflows, rolling mill mechanics, and quality control standards for billets and rolled steel products.

Core Engineering & Computational Competencies:

CFD & CAD: STAR-CCM+, Pro/ENGINEER (Creo), AutoCAD, SolidWorks.
Analytical Frameworks: Numerical differentiation and integration, matrix methods, vibration isolation, and compressible flow analysis.

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Nilachal Polytechnic, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India | 2009 – 2012

Department of Mechanical Engineering

State Board: State Council for Technical Education & Vocational Training (SCTE&VT), Odisha

Diploma Capstone Project:

Title: Design, Fabrication, and Performance Testing of an Advanced Instrumented Water Cooler
Key Technical Contributions:
- System Design & Sizing: Calculated cooling loads, designed the compact vapor compression refrigeration cycle (VCRC), and sized key components including the hermetic compressor, air-cooled condenser, expansion device, and storage evaporator tank.
- Fabrication & Assembly: Carried out structural frame fabrication, brazing of copper refrigerant lines, insulation jacket installation to prevent thermal losses, and leak testing under pressure.
- Advanced Sensor Integration & Automation:
  - Integrated precision temperature sensors (thermistors/RTDs) across the evaporator inlet/outlet and water reservoir to monitor real-time thermal pull-down rates.
  - Deployed automated digital thermostats and cut-off circuits to prevent compressor short-cycling and reduce power consumption.
  - Incorporated liquid level sensors and flow monitors to automate tank refilling and protect the system against dry-run conditions.
- Performance Characterization: Conducted experimental trials to determine pull-down time, coefficient of performance (COP), and system cooling capacity under varying ambient thermal loads.

Foundational Engineering Disciplines:

Thermal & Applied Sciences: Basic Thermodynamics, Applied Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulic Machines, and Steam Power Systems.
Design & Workshop Practice: Engineering Graphics & Machine Drawing, Workshop Technology (Turning, Milling, Welding, Fitting, and Foundry Practices), and Theory of Machines.
Materials & Production: Strength of Materials, Manufacturing Processes, Material Testing, and Metrology & Quality Control.

Hands-on Laboratory & Practical Competencies:

Machine tool operation (lathes, shapers, drilling machines) to fabricate components to dimensional tolerances.
Mechanical property testing (tensile, hardness, impact, and torsion tests).
Refrigeration circuit assembly, tubing flare/swage joints, brazing, and sensor wiring.