Materials scientist gains valuable research experience
Former co-op student is pursuing a doctorate in materials science and engineering
The opportunities at the College of Engineering and Applied Science are what attracted Ananth Balasubramanian to the University of Cincinnati. He came to UC as a master's student and after two years, transitioned to a doctoral program in materials science and engineering. Here, he works in the Digital Fabrication Laboratory and recently was named Graduate Student Engineer of the Month by CEAS.
Why did you choose UC? What drew you here?
I chose the University of Cincinnati for its renowned cooperative education (co-op) program, affordability, and variety of scholarship opportunities. I am grateful to have received the Graduate Incentive Award which covered a major portion of my tuition every semester. I joined as a Master of Science student in materials science and engineering and later transitioned to a direct PhD in the spring of 2022.
Why did you choose your field of study?
Ananth Balasubramanian is pursuing a PhD in materials science and engineering. Photo/Provided
During my junior year as an undergraduate student, I completed a project-focused internship in material deposition and advanced manufacturing where I gained hands-on experience in synthesizing materials such as oxides and colloidal inks and printing them as layered structures. This introduced me to additive manufacturing and advanced characterization techniques.
After graduating in 2017, I continued to build on this interest through two major projects in advanced machining. The first focused on modeling chip geometry by relating cutting tool forces and torque to process parameters such as feed rate, depth of cut, and RPM, validated through a real material system. The second involved applying machine learning to analyze cutting forces in helical ball end milling, where a neural network was developed to predict cutting forces in three orthogonal directions based on machining parameters.
I focused my work in the areas of design and advanced manufacturing. I realized that the missing piece of the puzzle is the materials domain which would help me in exploring innovative work in materials design manufacturing systems.
Briefly describe your research work. What problems do you hope to solve?
My research work is in hybrid metal additive manufacturing focusing on similar and dissimilar material systems. Hybrid additive manufacturing involves combining traditional manufacturing techniques with digital manufacturing such as additive manufacturing. When combining two materials, the joint region or the interface is critical, and the structural integrity of this region dictates the overall mechanical performance of a component.
My research focuses on understanding interfacial architecture, its formation mechanisms, and researching innovative strategies to tailor these regions for enhanced robustness and mechanical performance. I utilize advanced characterization techniques such as Scanning Electron Microscopy, Electron Backscatter Diffraction, X-ray Diffraction and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy to investigate the internal structure of both bulk and the interface regions. This also includes studying defect formation, evolution, and identifying mitigating strategies.
Through this I analyze phase formation, compositional variations, crystallographic orientations, and textures. This information, along with the use of mechanical testing techniques that directly probe the interface, helps me develop a deeper understanding of interfacial behavior under varying processing and loading conditions.
What are some of the most impactful experiences during your time at UC?
The most impactful experiences were internship opportunities to work as a metallurgical research intern at Cleveland-Cliffs Research and Innovation Center in the spring and summer of 2023. I was also grateful to be part of a team that represented UC twice in the Forging Industry Educational and Research Foundation (FIERF) forging competition in 2023 and 2024.
What are a few of your accomplishments of which you are most proud?
In the 2023 FIERF competition, our team won the People's Choice Award, and the following year, we received the Best Authentic Halligan Bar Award, which included a total cash prize of $1,000. I have also successfully completed my PhD qualifying exam.
When do you expect to graduate? What are your plans after earning your degree?
I anticipate graduating in the fall of 2026 and transitioning into an industry research and development role.
Do you have any other hobbies or involvements you'd like to share?
I enjoy working out and am something of a gym enthusiast. I also love cooking, with a special passion for making milk tea.
Featured image at top: Ananth Balasubramanian is in the direct PhD program at the University of Cincinnati. Photo/UC Marketing + Communications
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