VIVEK KHATUA
Overview of my research and myself
I work in area of 3D printing of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites, specifically focused on manufacturing techniques that posses liberty to place, orient and deposit continuous and discrete tracks of fibers judiciously in composite part.
My Ph. D. is on the field of Advanced Manufacturing and I have complete my Master's in Advanced Manufacturing at Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing, Kancheepuram by 2020.
I have joined the Graduate Research program at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) on August of 2020. I have completed my Research Training Program at IISc, where I have taken courses in Robotics, Dynamics and Control of Mechanical System, Material Modelling Techniques, Structural Topology Optimization, Compliant Mechanisms, Material Structure Property Correlations.
MY RESEARCH
UNCONVENTIONAL MANUFACTURING OF SPATIALLY EMBEDDED FIBER VIA GRADUAL STEERING OF FIBER IN VAT PHOTO-POLYMERIZATION
January, 2023
We 3D print multiple three phase (fiber-matrix-void) topologically Optimized design using the developed 3D printer. These structures have specific pattern of fiber reinforcement that are embedded (not wound or laid) inside the matrix. These structures are of interest to both academia and industry as they exhibit intentional anisotropic behavior. Such structures have applications in Aerospace engineering, Mechanical engineering and Electronic. These fiber can be replaced with continuous wires, optical and electric pathways along with thermal pathways.
DEVELOPMENT OF A 3D PRINTER FOR SPECIFICALLY PATTERNED AND SPATIALLY ARRANGED CONTINUOUS FIBERS IN POLYMER MATRIX
May, 2022
3D printed Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites exhibit excellent strength to weight ratio. Topology optimization is a design tool for making structures optimal for the performance functional. These TO tools can design FRPCs that have fibers in specific patterns in 3D. Currently, there does not exist a manufacturing method for making such structures where continuous fibers are embedded in selective regions in the matrix.
PUBLICATIONS
September, 2022
DEVELOPMENT OF A 3D PRINTER FOR SPATIAL POSITIONING AND ARRANGEMENT OF DISCRETE AND CONTINUOUS FIBERS WITH SPECIFIC PATTERNS IN 3D USING VAT POLYMERIZATION
This is a conference presentation of the work on developing a 3D printer that can spatially steer and embed continuous fibers in a matrix. This 3D printer is unconventional to 3D printing fiber reinforced polymer composites. The existing work on 3D printing of can lay fiber in layers and these continuous fibers cannot pass through multiple layers.
March, 2023
SELECTIVELY EMBEDDING MULTIPLE SPATIALLY STEERED FIBERS IN POLYMER COMPOSITE PARTS MADE USING VAT PHOTOPOLYMERIZATION
We 3D print multiple parts with specific continuous fiber arrangement and orientation to test them for the effect of stiffness and strength due to the arrangement. We take examples in nature and demonstrate that optimal arrangement contributes to the strength significantly.