Our people

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PhD Students
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ܳپDz:UNSW SYDNEY
PhD candidate - PhD Title: Automated Design of Hierarchical Composites; Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (IIT Bombay, India) - Thesis title: Analysis of mechanical strength, fracture and crack-speeds for monolayer and bilayer graphene
Research interests: Research interests: Research Interests: Saral's research area is about developing an inverse material design framework for designing tailored composite materials. This is achieved by an intersection of state-of-the-art composites additive manufacturing methods, data-efficient Neural Network models, and Nature-inspired hierarchical design philosophy. His work also includes multi-scale modelling of complex architecture composites by replicating the observed micro-features in the as-produced material. The proposed framework is aimed at optimising the manufacturing process and design to produce parts with desired physical properties for applications in the Aerospace, Automotive and Hydrogen Storage industries.
Additional skills: Model-Based System Engineering, Molecular Dynamics modelling and simulation, continuous damage modelling, Automated Fibre Placement -
Education: PhD Student - DDS degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) in 2020. After graduation, I worked as a clinician and collaborated as a researcher with the prosthodontic department of TUMS on optical and mechanical properties of CAD/CAM composite and ceramic blocks. Currently I am a member of Australian Dental Association and PhD student at UNSW.
Research interests: My research interests mostly lie in CADCAM technology, advanced dental composite materials and biomimetic approaches for rehabilitation of oral function. Our research with AMAC focuses on developing biomimetic dental composites with improved mechanical properties and self-healing capabilities
Additional skills: Dental Composite manufacturing; Mechanical tests: compression strength, flexural strength and fracture toughness test, Micro-hardness Vickers test; Spectrophotometry and colorimetry; Microscopy: optical microscopy, SEM, confocal laser microscopy; FTIR spectroscopy; Microbiological techniques; Culture and sensitivity testing; Gram staining, Serological test (ElISA). -
ܳپDz:PhD Student (UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia) – PhD Thesis Title: Development of machine-learning-based process optimisation tool for automated composite manufacturing
Master of Engineering (Research) in Mechanical Engineering (91˰涶at ADFA, ACT, Australia) – ME Thesis Title: Investigation of test problems and algorithmic strategies for multi-objective multi-concept optimisation
Research Interest: Rounak’s research interest lies at the intersection of automated manufacturing and machine learning. His focus is on developing advanced optimisation tools for the Automated Fibre Placement (AFP) process in composite manufacturing. By leveraging machine learning techniques, Rounak aims to address critical challenges such as complex parameter tuning, data scarcity, and defect mitigation.
Additional Skills: Multi-objective optimisation, multi-concept optimisation, CFD
Visiting Researchers
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Project Title: CT inspection of bonded composite repairs
Abstract: Florian is an exchange research student from the Polymer Competence Center Leoben located in Leoben, Austria. His main area of research is repair of composites by adhesive bonding, which is of high interest for the aircraft industry. This interest is related to the fact that an increasing amount of structural components used in modern civil aircraft are constructed using composite materials. The scope of the research activities performed during the exchange is the investigation of damage mechanisms in repaired composite specimens that were subjected to impact loads with well-defined energy levels. For this purpose, damaged as well as pristine specimens will be inspected using high resolution computed tomography.
University: Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH, Leoben, Austria
Supervisor: Professor Paul Compston
Duration of stay: 19/08/2019 - 03/10/2019 -
Project Title: Performance monitor and prediction of a biaxially loaded thin composite tube
Abstract: The objective of this project was to study the behaviour of composite drive shaft. Therefore, I have concentrated on cylindrical specimens, manufactured using the automated fibre placement technique (AFP), under combined loading. During this internship, I was involved in a range of analytical and experimental activities related to biaxial testing of composite cylindrical specimens with cut out. A FEA has been carried out for the prepared specimens to predict strain and failure under combined loading. Besides, some analytical calculation have been made, including dimensioning calculations of a conventional drive shaft in order to compare with the performance of a composite drive shaft. After the analytical step, the experimental investigation has been carried out using an Instron biaxial testing machine. Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and Distributed Fibre Optic Sensing (DFOS) has been used to acquire strain fields on cylindrical specimens.
Scholarship: Sigma Clermont foundation, affiliated school Institut Mines Telecom (IMT) - University of Clermont Auvergne (UCA)
Supervisor: Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 25/02/2019 - 04/08/2019 -
Project Title: Optimisation of Advanced Grid Structure Based on Automated Fibre Placement
Abstract: Advanced grid structure (AGS) has been regarded as one of the most common composite structures. This project aims at the optimisation design and automated manufacture of a novel grid structure with significantly improved structural efficiency. The deformation mechanism of fibres around intersection region of crossed grids will be analysed considering compaction of fibre bed and flowing of resin. Moreover, the relationship between fibre distribution and the mechanical properties of composite structure will be studied in theoretical and experimental method. A universal criterion will be proposed to reduce processing defects and optimise the intersection region of AGS, based on automated fibre placement process. The success of this research will provide theoretical foundation and technical reference for the design and manufacture of high performance advanced composite grid structures, to meet requirements of lightweight and extreme service conditions.
University: Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China
Supervisor: Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 13/05/2019 - 12/05/2020 -
Project Title: Automated Manufacture of a Shape-Adaptive Large Hydrofoils
Abstract: In this work was presented the design and manufacture of a shape-adaptive large hydrofoil of 1.5 m long using the automated fibre placement technique (AFP). To determine the optimum layup of the laminate, a coupled FEM code with a Genetic Algorithm was used. With this method, the goal was to obtain the different ply orientation to achieve the required bend/twist capability of the large hydrofoil. Once the optimization phase was completed, the resulting layup orientation was used in the development of the G-code and proceeded with the manufacturing of the laminate using the AFP technique. During the automated lamination, it was implanted an embedded optic fibre as a monitor control system. After the curing process, the laminate will be submitted to fatigue loads and measure the mechanical response. The results obtained will be compared to experiments made on laminates with similar characteristics built with classic manufacturing process (RTM).
University: University of Liege, Belgium
Scholarship: Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in Integrated Advanced Design and Offshore Structures (EMship)
Supervisor: Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 02/07/2018 - 09/11/2018 -
Project Title: Development of computational system for MMC coatings.
Abstract: this research assumes development of system that would be useful in design and development of metal-matrix composite coatings. During study, finite element model for composite coatings concerning contact loads and thermal stresses will be developed and validated. What is more, independent computer software together with GUI will be developed for output data visualization and processing. Whole study is interdisciplinary, as it incorporates areas of computational mechanics and software development.
University: Poznan University of Technology (Poznań, Poland)
Scholarship: PANTHER - Pacific Atlantic Network for Technical Higher Education and Research
ܱǰ:Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 13/11/2017 - 12/05/2018 -
Project Title: Evaluation of the influence of hoop fiber to axial fiber ratio (H / A) on the amount of absorbed energy in the process of the axisymmetric tube compression in dynamic conditions.
Abstract: Recently, there has been considerable interest to incorporate composite crashworthy structures in the aerospace and automotive industries. Crashworthiness is typically defined as the ability of a structure to absorb energy in a collision or an impact, and survive; in the case of a passenger vehicle, this would be the ability to ensure the survivability of the occupants. Well-designed composite crush structures can absorb significantly more energy per unit mass than metals. The crushing tests of samples with use of various hoop fiber to axial fiber ratio in dynamic conditions are planned in this work. Unidirectional prepreg and plain carbon prepregs of various weights will be used in the study. Made research may allow for significantly increasing in transport safety.
University: Rzeszow University of Technology, Poland
ҰԳ:Endeavour Scholarship and Fellowship, Australia Awards
Supervisor: Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 1/2/2018 – 30/6/2018 -
Project Title: Research on verification and validation of FEM modelling development of delamination resulted by low-speed impact for AFP fabricated C/PEEK composite shell.
Abstract: An initiation-propagation FEM model of the delamination with progressive damage phenomenon inclusion in a flat and curved laminate shells of carbon reinforced thermoset and thermoplastic polymer composites are under consideration in the research. Interlaminar and intralaminar, adhesive and cohesive bondings are included. The smart diagnostic technology based on AE&FBG-SHM system is used for an assessment of the progressive damage phenomenon.
University: Warsaw University of Technology (Warsaw, Poland)
ҰԳ:Erasmus Mundus - Pacific Atlantic Network for Technical Higher Education and Research – PANTHER – programme
Supervisor: Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 26/12/2017 – 16/07/2018 -
Project Title: Characterization of the influence of placement rate on the mechanical properties of laser-assisted AFP composite laminates by means of in-situ mircoCT compression tests.
Abstract: Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) of composite materials has great potential to become an manufacturing technology for components of high volume applications. Parts of thermoplastic composites can be fully processed with this technology by in-situ consolidation of the material via laser heating. This ability to manufacture composite parts without an out-of-autoclave (OOA) process potentially saves high running and capital costs that are associated with autoclaves. However, to obtain autoclave-level mechanical properties via AFP is still challenging. In this study unidirectional carbon-fiber-reinforced PEEK laminates, manufactured by laser-assisted AFP with different placement rates, are compared. The mechanical behavior of the composite laminates are analyzed by means of in-situ microCT compression tests. The focus of these measurements is especially on the distribution and geometry of the voids within the material and the failure initiation under compression.
University: Technical University of Munich
DZǰ:TUM Graduate School and Faculty Graduate Center Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich (TUM)
ܱǰ:Professor Paul Compston
Duration of stay: 12/02/2018 – 06/04/2018 -
Bio: Dr. Rajan is a Senior Fellow/Lecturer at the University of Wollongong, Australia. He obtained a PhD degree in Engineering from Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), Ireland in 2009. He was a Project Manager at the Photonics Research Centre of DIT during 2009-2012 and a VC Research Fellow at UNSW during 2012-2015. He has published over 135 articles in journals, conferences and as book chapters and two patents are also filed. He is also the editor of the books “Optical Fiber Sensors:- Advanced Techniques and Applications” and "Structural Health Monitoring of Composite Structures using Fiber Optic Methods", both published by CRC Press. He serves as a technical program committee chair and member of conferences in the area of optical fiber sensors and smart composite materials, editorial board member and reviewer of several journals, and reviewer for funding applications of several organizations. His research and teaching interests includes optical fibre sensing and its applications in a number of engineering areas. At AMAC he is leading the fibre optic structural health monitoring research and its applications in composite structures.
University: University of Wollongong, Australia
ܱǰ:Professor Gangadhara Prusty
Duration of stay: 2018 – 2021 -
Project Title: Heating characteristics of laser assisted Thermoplastic-Automated Fiber Placement of 3D paths
Abstract: Thermoplastic Automated Fiber Placement (TP AFP) is a fully automated process to manufacture high performance composite parts. The thermoplastic matrix offers unique properties to the composite part, but also requires special manufacturing process knowledge. The ultimate goal of TP AFP process development is reaching sound in situ consolidation, as this reduces manufacturing steps and costs. However, today the TP AFP process is limited to flat parts or geometries with either constant or a very soft curvature. The work focuses on characterizing the laser heating characteristics of convex 3D geometries with a small corner radius. A thermal model of the process is accompanied by lay up trials with a state-of-the-art TP AFP machine on 3D geometry.
University: Technical University of Munich
DZǰ:TUM Graduate School and Faculty Graduate Center Mechanical Engineering, Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Supervisor: Professor Paul Compston
Duration of stay: 27/04/2018 – 04/06/2018
Name | Grad Year | Thesis Download link | Thesis Title | |
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Rob Wootton | 2009 | Investigation into the feasibility and application of composite materials in conveyor support structures for use in underground coal mines | ||
Zoltan Mikulik | 2009 | Application of fracture mechanics to predict the growth of single and multi-level delaminations and disbonds in composite structures | ||
Norman Lex Mulcahy | 2010 | Structural design of shape-adaptive composite marine propellers | ||
Raju | 2010 | Failure analysis of composite top-hat-stiffeners using acoustic emission and embedded fibre bragg gratings | ||
Luke Philip Djukic | 2010 | Effects of thermal residual stresses on static strength and fatigue life of welded carbon-fibre/epoxy composite joints | ||
Jung Hoon Sul | 2010 | Low cycle fatigue prediction of short fibre composites at elevated temperatures | ||
Roberto Ojeda | 2010 | Non-linear buckling and large deflection analyses of isotropic and composite stiffened panels using an arbitrarily orientated stiffened element approach | ||
Tuyen Dinh Tran | 2012 | Development of micromechanical modelling procedures using the onset theory for failure of composites | ||
Nuttawit Wattanasakulpong | 2012 | NA | Thermal buckling and elastic vibration analysis of functionally graded beams and plates using improved third-order shear deformation theory | |
Meiling Wang | 2013 | Development of advanced wear debris analysis techniques for osteoarthritis study | ||
Jung Hoon Sul | 2015 | A molecular dynamics study on performance improvement of nano-modified epoxy matrix in fibre-reinforced composite materials | ||
Manudha Thiyunuwan Herath | 2016 | Optimisation of Composite Marine Propeller Blades and Hydrofoils | ||
Jendi Itjieh Kepple | 2016 | Stochastic Methods for Robust Design of Launch Vehicle Structures | ||
Ebrahim Oromiehie | 2017 | In-situ process monitoring in automated fibre placement-based manufacturing of advanced composites | ||
Ravishankar Subbaramaiah | 2018 | Experimental and Numerical Investigation on the Axial Crushing of Fibre Metal Laminate Top Hat Structures | ||
Amborish Banerjee | 2019 | Deformation mechanisms and structure-property correlation of high carbon low alloy steel under the influence of strain rate, fatigue and impact loading | ||
Wael Hekmat Ahmed Shaheen | 2019 | NA | Optimization of compound die design with double cutting process parameters and stress analysis using theoretical, numerical and statistical methodology | |
Jojibabu Panta | 2019 | Development of High-Performance Epoxy-Based Nanocomposite Adhesive Materials for Structural Integrity | ||
Kiho Cho | 2020 | Processing and Characterisation of S-Glass Fibres and Halloysite Nanotubes for Flowable Dental Composites | ||
Phyo Thu Maung | 2020 | Automated Manufacture of Adaptive Composite Propellers with Embedded Sensors | ||
Chathura Wanigasekara | 2020 | Identification of nonlinear systems and quantised feedback control of networked systems | ||
Amirhossein Lotfi | 2020 | NA | Study on the Machinability of Natural Fiber Reinforced Composite Materials | |
Veldyanto Tanulia | 2022 | Bonded Patch Repair Applications for Primary Aircraft Structures | ||
Nimal Kumar Balasubramani | 2023 | Development of Novel Tools for Stochastic Multiscale Finite Element Analysis of Composite Structures | ||
Nikhil Garg | 2023 | Scaled Boundary Finite Element Method for Inter-ply Damage Prediction in Thick Laminated Composites | ||
Yiwen Gu | 2023 | A Study of the Abrasive Waterjet Machining Process for Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymers | ||
Prashanth Nagulapally | 2023 | Smart Monitoring of Riveted Steel Bridges and Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessels using Distributed Fibre Optic Sensors | ||
Vivek Ramakrishna | 2023 | Studies on Spinal Fusion from Computational Modelling to ‘Smart’ Implants | ||
Shafaq | 2025 | Processing Parameter Evaluation of Automated Fibre Placement Manufactured Thermoplastic Composite Laminates for Low Velocity Impact | ||
Rowan Lindsay Caldwell | 2024 | Simulation and experimental methods for damage prediction in advanced marine composites | ||
Jerrin Thadathil Varghese | 2024 | Short Fibre-Reinforced Flowable Composites for Dental Restorations: Computational and Experimental Study | ||
Arcade Serubibi | 2024 | TBD | Penetration Resistance of Hybrid Metal-Composite Structures | |
Alexander Air | 2025 | Developments in the application of automated fibre placement to Type V composite pressure vessels | ||
Christopher Jenkins | 2025 | Mould-Free Manufacturing of Advanced Composite Structures using Eccentric Prestressing | ||
Wuyang Huang (Thompson) | 2025 | TBD | Processing and characterisations of short S-glass fibre-reinforced PEEK bio-composites |