Nikhil Gupta (scientist)

Nikhil Gupta
Fields Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Institutions New York University Tandon School of Engineering
Education Malaviya National Institute of Technology-Jaipur, Bachelor of Engineering
Indian Institute of Science, Master of Engineering in Metallurgical Engineering
Louisiana State University, PhD in Engineering Science
Known for Magnesium-alloy syntactic foam
Notable awards ASM 2013 Silver Medal, TMS 2013 Young Leader Professional Development Award

Nikhil Gupta is a materials scientist, researcher, and professor based in Brooklyn, New York.[1] Gupta is an associate professor at New York University Polytechnic School of Engineering department of mechanical and aerospace engineering.[2] He is one of the leading researchers on lightweight foams and has extensively worked on hollow particle filled composite materials called syntactic foams. Gupta developed a new functionally graded syntactic foam material and a method to create multifunctional syntactic foams. His team has also created an ultralight magnesium alloy syntactic foam that is able to float on water.[3]

Gupta has appeared on Discovery Channel and in National Geographic as a materials science expert, particularly for lightweight materials.[4] In 2012, Gupta explained the science behind athletic helmet construction as part of a National Science Foundation-sponsored video featured on NBC Learn during the 2012 Summer Olympics, which was a series of 10 videos that had more than 125 million views and won a Telly Award.[4]

Education

In 1996, Gupta graduated from the Malaviya National Institute of Technology-Jaipur with a Bachelor of Engineering degree.[5] He received a Master of Engineering degree from the Indian Institute of Science in 1998. In 2003, Gupta graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering Science (Mechanical Engineering) from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.[5]

Research

Polymer matrix composite materials

Gupta began his work on lightweight porous composite materials called syntactic foams in 1997. His work on polymer matrix syntactic foams resulted in several fundamental developments including establishing the wall thickness of hollow particle reinforcement as an important parameter, in addition to the volume fraction, for controlling the properties of syntactic foams. Another development was the use of a combination of particle wall thickness and volume fraction to develop a new type of functionally graded composite materials that has higher damage tolerance than other types of foams. Additionally, a method was developed that is capable of providing syntactic foams tailored for several mechanical, thermal, electrical, and physical properties simultaneously.[6] Use of polymer matrix syntactic foams in USS Zumwalt for lightweight and stealth has been reported.[7]

Gupta worked on the use of fly ash hollow particles (cenospheres) in creating syntactic foams. Fly ash is an environmental pollutant and beneficial uses of this material are desired.[8] The work of fly ash utilization in composite materials was featured in National Geographic and Fast Company magazine.[8][9]

Metal matrix syntactic foams

Gupta has studied aluminum, magnesium, iron and invar matrix syntactic foams.[9] His work produced the development of a magnesium-alloy matrix syntactic foam that has density of 0.9 g/cc and can float on water.[9][10] Gupta and his team were the first to create this lightweight metal matrix composite with no porosity in the matrix, which received media attention. At this density level, metal matrix composites can compete against polymer matrix composites but also provide higher temperature withstanding capabilities. His team was also the first to report synthesis of a metal matrix syntactic foam core sandwich composite.[3][11][12]

Studies on high strain rate properties of materials

Gupta studied several composites that have applications as protective materials in civilian and military vehicles.[13][5] He has used split-Hopkinson pressure bar to study response of polymer and metal matrix syntactic foams.[14] The change in the direction of fracture as the strain rate increases was reported as one of the novel findings in these studies. Gupta studied the response of bones and tissue for high strain rate properties and his research showed that the fracture of bones can be very different at high strain rate compression, such as high speed car crash or bomb blast. His research was covered in LiveScience and Scientific American.[13] This study showed a network of micro cracks in the bone, apart from large fractures, which could be missed in routine imaging.

Fiber-optic sensors

Gupta’s group researches the integration of sensors with composite materials to help in detecting the damage during their service condition. His work resulted in the development of a new patented fiber-optic sensor design.[5][15] The sensor, based on intensity modulation in optical fiber through a curved section, is capable of measuring displacement or strain. Due to small size of this sensor, it can be integrated with composite materials.[15]

Other activities

Gupta is an advocate of communicating science and technology to non-scientists and youth. He has written several articles explaining how scientific discoveries are transitioning into modern systems.[16] Gupta wrote an article about helmets used in professional sports and recreation and was featured in a video produced by NBC Learn in his lab on helmets used in Olympic sports.[4] He hosts high school students in his research lab during a summer program called Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE).[5] Gupta is a member of the Composites Materials Committee of TMS and ASM-International as well as the editorial board of Composites Part B: Engineering (Elsevier), Materials Science and Engineering A (Elsevier), Materials Processing and Characterization (ASTM) and Journal of Composites (Hindawi).[5]

Award recognition

Gupta has been recognized by various professional societies with awards such as ASM-International Silver Medal, TMS Professional Development Award, ASM–Indian Institute of Metals (ASM-IIM) Visiting Lectureship, and Air Force Summer Faculty Fellowship for his research and lectureship.[5]

Bibliography

References

  1. ↑ Neela Qadir (March 12, 2015). "NYU-Poly professor Nikhil Gupta recognized for research, development of safer metals". Washington Square News. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  2. ↑ Kathleen Hamilton (July 16, 2015). "Metal foam ‘sandwich’ is bendy but strong". Futurity. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Stephen Moore (July 23, 2015). "Metal foam offers lightweighting options for automotive". Plastics Today. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 "Nikhil Gupta receives heavyweight honor for work on lightweight composites". EurekAlert!. June 20, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Nikhil Gupta". NYU School of Engineering. 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
  6. ↑ Nikhil Gupta (May 3, 2014). "Finding the Strength to Reach the Ocean's Furthest Depths". LiveScience. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  7. ↑ Nikhil Gupta and Steven Zeltmann (August 1, 2014). "Navy's secret to building a stealth ship (Op-Ed)". LiveScience. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  8. 1 2 Rachel Kaufman (August 16, 2011). "Seeking a safer future for electricity's coal ash waste". National Geographic. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 Ariel Schwartz (June 1, 2011). "Your next car could be made from coal waste". Fast Company Magazine. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  10. ↑ Anantharaman, H.; Shunmugasamy, V.C.; Strbik III, O.M.; Gupta, N. (2015). "Dynamic properties of silicon carbide hollow particle filled magnesium alloy (AZ91D) matrix syntactic foams". International Journal of Impact Engineering (p. 14–24).
  11. ↑ Omar, M.Y.; Xiang, C.; Gupta, N.; Strbik III, O.M.; Cho, K. (2015). "Syntactic foam core metal matrix sandwich composite: compressive properties and strain rate effects". Materials Science and Engineering A (643: p. 156-168.).
  12. ↑ Omar, M.Y.; Xiang, C.; Gupta, N.; Strbik III, O.M.; Cho, K. (2015). "Syntactic foam core metal matrix sandwich composite under bending conditions". Materials & Design (86: p. 536–544.).
  13. 1 2 Hallie Deaktor Kapner (September 24, 2010). "Bone-crushing experiments yield better protective gear". LiveScience. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Analysis of PVC Foam and Carbon Nanofiber Syntactic Foam" (PDF). NYU School of Engineering. July 2010. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  15. 1 2 "Power modulation based optical fiber loop-sensor for structural health monitoring in composite materials" (PDF). SysInt. 2014. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  16. ↑ Gupta, N.; Hamilton, K.; Chamot, J. (2013). "Conveying cutting-edge discoveries to non-scientists: Effective communication with media". JOM (65(7): p. 835-839).
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