FACULTY PROFILE

Education
MS and Ph.D 2026 Mechanical Engineering Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras)
B. Tech 2014 Mechanical Engineering Darbhanga College of Engineering Darbhanga 
Experience
September 2026 - Till Date

Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT), Sivasagar Campus

 

Courses Teaching/Taught
  • Engineering Mechanics (ME101)
Research Interests

  • AI/ML in Manufacturing and Materials Processing

  • Corrosion and Battery Engineering

  • Sustainable Recycling

  • Hydrogen Storage and Fuel Cells

  • Microforming of High Performance Alloy and Composites

  • Deformation Behaviour and Formability 

  • Severe Plastic Deformation

  • Equipment and Tool Design

Dr. Rakesh Kumar is currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT), Sivasagar Campus. He completed his M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) under the supervision of Prof. Sushanta Kumar Panigrahi. His doctoral research focused on the development of high-performance magnesium alloy sheets, with emphasis on advanced rolling processes, microstructural engineering, mechanical properties, and formability. His research contributions include several journal publications and granted patents related to manufacturing processes and testing apparatus. He received the Research Excellence Award from IIT Madras and the Best Paper Award at CHTSE 2020. His research interests include manufacturing processes, metal forming, materials processing, and mechanical behaviour of materials.

International Conferences
  • “A Novel Microstructural Engineering Based Strategy to Develop High- Performance Magnesium Alloy Sheets with Excellent Strength-Ductility Synergy”, Material Science and Technology 2024 (MS&T24). Pittsburgh, USA.
  • “Establishing the governing mechanisms responsible for the enhancement of mechanical properties in the magnesium alloy sheets developed via high strain rolling”, 14th Int. Conf. on the Tech. of Plasticity 2023 (ICTP 2023). Cannes, France.
  • "Development of Mg alloy thin sheets with outstanding combination of strength and ductility via thermo-mechanical processing", THERMEC ‘2021– Int. Conference on Processing & Manufacturing of Advanced Materials. Vienna, Austria.
  • “Engineering Initial Microstructure by Pre-Heat Treatment for Enhanced Rollability of ZK60 Magnesium Alloy”, 6th Asian Conference & Expo on Heat Treatment and Surface Engineering 2020 (6th ACHTSE'2020). Chennai, India.
Journal Publications
  • R. Kumar, A. Maurya, P. Sekar, S.K. Panigrahi, “A single step sustainable manufacturing technology and synergy map for producing high performance magnesium alloy sheets”, Journal of Materials Processing Technology, Volume 340, 118865 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2025.118865 (Impact Factor: 7.9, Q1)
  • R. Kumar, S.K. Panigrahi, “Achieving extraordinary strength-ductility synergy in Mg-Zn-Zr alloy thin sheet manufactured via load assisted one-step large-strain lowered temperature rolling”, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 976, 173088 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.173088 (Impact Factor: 6.7, Q1)
  • SP Kanti, R Kumar, SK Panigrahi, BN Sahoo, "Effect of rolling reduction on microstructure and tension- compression yield asymmetry of rolled AZ31 magnesium sheet", Materials Science and Engineering: A, Volume 903, 146683 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2024.146683 (Impact Factor: 7.9, Q1)
  • B Prathyusha, R Kumar, SK Panigrahi, “Hybrid thermomechanical approach for developing triple synergy of strength, ductility and bond integrity in Al/Cu bimetallic sheets”, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Volume 1057, 186670 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2026.186670 (Impact Factor: 6.7)
  • A Dhal, B Prathyusha, R Kumar, SK Panigrahi, "Twin evolution and work-hardening phenomenon of a bulk ultrafine grained copper with high thermal stability and strength-ductility synergy", Materials Science and Engineering: A, Volume 802, 140622 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2020.140622 (Impact Factor: 7.9, Q1)
Patents (Granted)
  • “A micro deep drawing apparatus” IN- 202141061315A, 08/2022. (Granted Patent Number: 404689)
  • “A method of producing high performance magnesium alloy sheets” IN- 202241042153A, 30/2022 (Granted Patent Number: 419749)
  • “A low-cost portable device for evaluating stretch formability at varying temperatures and strain-paths” IN- 202141024665A, 24/2021. (Granted Patent Number: 398673)
  • “A coaxially guided modular apparatus for high-temperature multiaxial formability evaluation of magnesium alloy sheets” IN- 202341080965A. (Granted Patent Number: 557367)
  • “A method for producing high strength alclad sheets” IN- 202441007661A. (Granted Patent Number: 551442)
  • “A microwave-based method for recycling aluminium alloy chips to composite sheets” IN-202541024621A, 13/2025 (Granted Patent Number: 574664)
Current Administrative/Technical Roles at RGIPT
  • Member of Departmental Under Graduate Committee (2026-Till Date)
Past Administrative/Technical Roles at IIT Madras
  • Lab Administrator, Manufacturing Engineering Section, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras.
  • Course Content Creator for online courses run by IIT Madras under the QEEE program.
  • Trained official operator of Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Physics at IIT Madras.
Awards and Honours
  • Research Excellence Award by Dean (Academic Research), IIT Madras for exceptional research contribution (quality publications and patents).
  • Best Paper Award at the 6th Asian Conference & Expo on Heat Treatment and Surface Engineering 2020 (6th ACHTSE'2020), Chennai, India.
  • Awarded Bronze Medal for securing University 3rd Rank in Aryabhatta Knowledge University across all disciplines of engineering (2014)
  • Awarded Gold Medal for securing the State 1st Rank in Diploma final exams across all the disciplines of engineering in the year 2011.
  • Awarded by the District Magistrate of Samastipur for securing 1st Rank in the School and 3rd Rank in the District in Class X Board Exam.
  • Scored 98.6 percentile in Mechanical Engineering - Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2016.
  • Awarded State Award Badge (Rajya Purashkar) in Bharat Scouts & Guides by the Honorable Governor of Bihar.
  • Awarded by the CMO in recognition of work towards Leprosy Control and awareness campaigning.
  • Felicitated by the Governor of Tamil Nadu for showcasing an excellent cultural performance at the Raj Bhavan, Chennai.
  • 1st prize in the National Level On-spot Poetry Writing Competition organized by Saarang, IIT Madras.
  • 2nd prize in the National Level On-spot Essay Writing Competition organized by Saarang, IIT Madras.

Dr Rakesh Kumar

Assistant Professor
Mechanical Engineering
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