Mechanical Engineering Department (MIT)
Minor: Science Technology and Policy
Interests: Reduced-order modeling, Experimental and Computational Mechanics, Fluids Mechanics, Science Technology and Policy
Doctorate Research
...Even though present-day science is advanced enough to send rovers to extraterrestrial planets millions of miles away from earth, it is primitive enough that wheels of such million-dollar rovers get stuck in the sand...
This fundamental thought builds the motivation of my research and I focus on developing fast and robust methods of modeling granular intrusion scenarios such as animal locomotion, vehicular locomotion, and meteorite impacts. The complexity in my work arises from the coupled fluid and solid-like nature of the granular media (such as sand). I use a combination of the experimental and computational approaches to overcome this problem. Over the past 5 years of my graduate years, I have been able to expand the horizons of problems we can model with real-time modeling of problems related to granular intrusion. Pictographic below shows my journey on this quest:
A few granular locomotion scenarios: A army tank, Nasa's March rover, and a car wheel [Photo credits: Pexels.com, NASA, Pexels.com]
I use a combination of various numerical methods to understand the microscopic (grain level) and mesoscopic (continuum level) origins of intrusion forces on bodies intruding into the granular media. The methods include LAMMPS based DEM (left), Material point method-based continuum modeling (right). The methods have given us great insights into the mesoscale origins of granular intrusions at low and high speeds, as well as, in a variety of granular materials. See my research portfolio for more details.
A sample DEM simulation of vertical granular impact
Sample continuum modeling simulations using Material Point Method (MPM)
Using the physical insights from the above methods along with some collaborative work with Crab Lab GeorgiaTech, we have developed various reduced-order/empirical models for granular intrusions. Specifically, we have focussed on extending an empirical approach called quasi-static granular Resistive force theory (2D-RFT) which allows for real-time modeling of granular intrusions. The figures below provide a gist of our work, see research portfolio for more details.
Sample RFT simulation:
Surface discretization in granular RFT
Free-surface reduction during high-speed intrusion as per Dynamic RFT
A brief overview of my selected research can be seen at following link
Use of RFT to improve locomotion of morphological wheels
Matlab apps
If you are interested in learning more about these tools, check out these toy Matlab apps I developed, which allow for modeling arbitrary intrusion of arbitrarily shaped objects with reduced order RFT (left), as well as, full-scale continuum modeling.
Matlab app for RFT modeling : Link
Matlab App for Continuum modeling : Link
Science Technology and Policy
While I believe research per se forms the basic component for the advancement of humanity, the way it is used forms the next most important component. Public policy in this regard plays a central role. I am interested in understanding the interplay of scientific advancements with law, public policies, socio-economic factors which together decide the technology adoption in public life. I feel a better understanding of this field is of great value in any professional decision-making process independent of my role and capacity in the industry. In this regard, I am pursuing a minor in Science Technology, and Policy along with carrying out a few case studies as below:
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Indian Generic medicine industry:
Looked into India's growth as the world’s largest generic medicines manufacturer within four decades from having virtually no such local industry until the late 1960s. I also looked into the underlying socio-economic, geographic, and policy reasons behind the quality issues with Indian generics, and future prospects of this sector for India. I plan to publish my findings in the future.
You can read a relevant op-ed that I wrote related to this topic: Link
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Flint Water Crisis (MI, USA):
Looking at the government, regulatory, policy failures which coupled with socio-economic conditions resulted in large-scale lead poisoning in the Flint water supply starting mid-2014. More importantly, I am looking into ongoing litigations, LSL Replacement, and EPA’s latest updates to Lead and Copper Rule, LCRR. Working in a team of two we plan to publish our findings soon.
You can read a relevant op-ed that I wrote related to this topic: Link
Click here for more details =>
Undergraduate projects
Most of my undergraduate research/work was focused on manufacturing and low-cost product development. I mention a few selected projects below.
