Prof Jaya's research interests are in mechanical behavior and structural integrity assessment of different classes of materials, across different length scales. Her focus is to deploy finite element modeling in combination with experiments to develop: Non­conventional fracture test geometries [1]; Design and development of damage resistant structures [2­3]; Microstructure and micro­mechanical characterization of interface dominated materials across stress states [4­6]. Her group is the first in the country to set up in­situ micromechanics techniques with full field strain mapping using digital image correlation under optical and electron microscopes [4­5]. She is funded by Pratt & Whitney, for her work on thermal spray coatings and additively manufactured superalloys, by IGCAR for solidification cracking in laser welded steels, and has been part of collaborations with TATA Steel to develop a miniature hole expansion ratio set up (patent filed) [6]. She has been the recipient of the Max Planck Society's External Partner­ Group Leadership Award, KITs International Excellence Fellowship Award, and Visiting Fellowship Awards at Hiroshima University and Xian­Jiatong University, for her collaborative work.

The traditional paradigm of the materials science tetrahedron illustrates the structure­processing­ properties­ performance correlations for a material. Along similar lines, Prof. Prasad has defined the focus of his research majorly on ‘Microstructural Engineering and Mechanical Performance (MEMP)’ of various metallic alloys (both ferrous and non­ ferrous metals & alloys) and metal matrix/metal particles reinforced composites. One of the current thrust areas is to develop novel coatings and materials as a strategic approach to improve resistance against mechanical and chemical degradation of materials. The second one is on developing advanced high­ strength steels and advanced light alloys (Al alloys, Mg alloys, Ti alloys) for automotive, aerospace, and defense applications by adopting proper alloy design and thermo­mechanical controlled processing. And, the third one is on developing novel and advanced similar and dissimilar metal joints by solid­state diffusion bonding and friction­stir welding. The group has been working on understanding the deformation behaviour, oxidation, and corrosion performance of metallic materials at different microstructural length scales.

Prof. Durga's key research interest lies in modelling microstructure evolution when an alloy is subjected to different processes, be it casting, additive manufacturing (AM), or heat treatment. She has worked extensively on different approaches such as phase­field modelling, cellular automata and other numerical and analytical models. Through coupling such models with multicomponent Calphad thermodynamic and mobility databases, she has ensured that the models can be applied to technical alloys. In her research career thus far, she has worked on different projects collaborating with both industry and academia. Her research group is currently working on microstructure modelling during fusion­based metal AM [1,2] and solidstate phase transformations during AM. She is the PI of a project funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board on modelling microsegregation during metal AM and a co­ PI on a project within the JSW Technology Hub for Steel Manufacturing on alloy design.