University Letter

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Surojit Gupta presents Feb. 19 Faculty Lecture on next generation functional materials

Surojit Gupta
Surojit Gupta

Surojit Gupta, associate professor of mechanical engineering, will give the next talk in the Faculty Lecture Series.

He will present “Imagine Materials: Next Generation Functional Materials for Advanced Applications” at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, in Room 7 of the Education Building. A 4 p.m. reception will precede the lecture, which is free and open to the public. Free parking is available south of the engineering complex.

“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.” Albert Einstein

In his presentation, Gupta will stress the importance of “imagination-based smart approach” in materials design for solving tough engineering problems. For example, there is a critical requirement for high performance materials for multifunctional applications. Refractory metal diborides, for example zirconium diboride (ZrB2) and hafnium diboride (HfB2) have emerged as possible candidate for high performance applications. Potential applications of these materials are in cutting tools, leading edges for hypersonic vehicles, high temperature electrodes, among others. Some of the concerns about these materials are brittleness, low fracture toughness, low electrical conductivity and low oxidation resistance. During the first part of the presentation, recent results on the design and development of novel MAX and MAB phases-based composites will be presented.

During the second part, design of sustainable materials will be proposed. Circular economy model is based on 3R principles of reducing, reusing, and recycling. Unlike a traditional linear model, this model emphasizes on the usage of renewables and sustainable technologies while striving to eliminate the connection between consumption and economy. By using circular economy inspired approach, Gupta will present some of the ongoing research on novel sustainable structural materials (bioplastics and biocomposites) and additive manufacturing.

Surojit Gupta

Surojit Gupta is an associate professor of mechanical engineering at UND. He is an active researcher in high temperature ceramics and alloys, sustainable materials, nanotechnology, additive, and green manufacturing. Gupta has published six patents (granted and pending – U.S. and international), 53 peer reviewed papers/proceedings in prestigious journals, 91 peer reviewed abstracts and/or contributed presentations, and one book chapter. He has an h-index of 25 and over 1300 citations (source: Google Scholar). Gupta is an active member of the ACerS, TMS, ASM International, ACS, ASME, and Sigma Xi.

Currently he serves as chair of the Engineering Ceramics Division of ACerS, member-at-large of Red River Valley Chapter of ACS, and nanomaterials committee of Functional Materials Division of TMS. Gupta has also won several awards, including the Du Co Ceramics Young Professional Award, TMS Professional Development Award, Dean’s Teaching Professorship, Dean’s Outstanding Faculty Award, Global Young Investigator Award from ECD ACerS, and ASM/IIM lectureship award.

The Faculty Lecture Series

The Faculty Lecture Series seeks to cultivate a stronger academic atmosphere on the University of North Dakota campus by showcasing the scholarly research of faculty selected across the disciplines. The Lectures aim to present with some depth and rigor the scholarly questions and goals of the individual faculty members. In presenting their scholarship, the lecturers will share the enthusiasm and dedication that sustains their creative efforts.

The Lectures are occasions for members of the University community and public to engage and strengthen their sense of unity. It is also an opportunity to share the important work of the University with our broader community.

The Faculty Lecture Series continues through the funding of the Offices of the President, and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and is presented through the planning of the Faculty Lecture Series Committee.