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Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE)
Gwalani Research Lab

Research

Engineering alloys and composites optimized for durability in severe conditions

The Gwalani Research Lab designs and develops advanced metallic alloys and composites that can endure extreme environments while maintaining critical structural and functional properties. By combining equilibrium and non-equilibrium processing routes with high-throughput discovery techniques, the group explores how defects form, how materials degrade, and how these processes impact long-term performance. Their work spans sustainable and cost-effective manufacturing, alloy design for durability, and multi-scale characterization to unlock new pathways for high-performance structural and functional materials.

Sustainable Manufacturing

We focus on minimizing the environmental impact of metal processing by conserving energy and resources. Key strategies include energy efficiency, reducing waste, using clean technologies, and promoting eco-friendly product design.

Green recycle symbol painted on a metal plate affixed to machinery in a manufacturing plant, highlighting commitment to environmental sustainability and circular economy practices

Cost-Effective Manufacturing Routes

Our manufacturing processes are designed for cost-efficiency and energy savings, focusing on microstructural modification and alloy composition through deformation-based processing techniques. We employ friction-assisted solid phase processing methods to produce non-equilibrium and compositionally graded alloys.

Recycling Technologies

Our method involves high-speed stirring of metallic scrap, which leads to frictional and adiabatic heating, followed by consolidative extrusion (Solid Stir Extrusion, SSE). This process allows us to create multi-material and multifunctional structures without bulk melting, providing an attractive solution for the eco-friendly recycling of complex waste streams and the advancement of advanced alloys/composites.

Multi-stimuli processing; solid-state reactive processing
Multi-stimuli processing; solid-state reactive processing
Friction stirring tool
Friction stirring tool

Advanced Alloys for Extremes

Our manufacturing processes are designed for cost-efficiency and energy savings, focusing on microstructural modification and alloy composition through deformation-based processing techniques. We employ friction-assisted solid phase processing methods to produce non-equilibrium and compositionally graded alloys

Golden gate. Imaginary passageway to better world. Futuristic metallic circular tunnel illuminated by gold light source reflected in shiny walls.

Alloy Design for Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Processing Routes

Design strategies include microstructural control by designing heat treatments for specific microstructural templates, composition selection informed by thermodynamic modeling, and heat treatment and thermomechanical processing cycles.

High-Throughput Techniques for Material Discovery

Our approach aims to create combinatorial material libraries, automated friction stir systems, In-situ monitoring, and characterization, and use Design of Experiments (DOE) for a comprehensive exploration of material and process space.

Base alloy plate

Multi-Scale Materials Characterization

Our approach combines ex-situ and in-situ methods to observe materials at the mesoscopic to atomic scale in real-world conditions. We focus on dissecting the root causes of defect formation and the mechanisms behind material failure through comprehensive multi-scale characterization. Our expertise lies in devising tailored compositional and processing strategies to advance the development of future-oriented materials.

Material Science Graphene Atomic Structure

Probing Materials at Multiple Length Scales

The multi-scale approach involves examining materials from the atomic and molecular level up to the macroscopic level, providing insights into how different length scales influence material characteristics.

Diverse Testing Modalities

We conduct tensile, compressive, and shear tests under various temperatures and environments.

Nano-Scale Property Assessment

Our use of precise, site-specific in situ testing methods enables us to evaluate localized properties meticulously. Our nano-mechanical testing facilities allow us to introduce and monitor well-defined defects, allowing for detailed analysis of the material’s response.

Gwalani-Group

Meet the Gwalani Research Lab

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Selected Publications

Contact

Bharat Gwalani

Assistant Professor