IISc Bangalore

Pratikash Panda

Assistant Professor
Propulsion

Office Room Number: AE 237
Lab Room Number: AE 033
Website: Google Scholar
Lab: Combustion Research and Advanced Diagnostics Laboratory (CRADL)

 

Education

  • PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 2015
  • MS in Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, 2011
  • Tech. in Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, 2008

Experience

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, Mar 2019 –
  • DST Inspire Faculty, Interdisciplinary Center for Energy Research (ICER), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, Jan 2018 – Feb 2019
  • Senior Research Scientist, Fire Dynamics and Flammability Research Group, fm global Norwood, MA, Dec 2016 – Dec 2017
  • Postdoctoral Associate, Combustion Research Facility, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, Oct 2015 – Nov 2016

Research Interests

My research focus includes study of fluid mechanics and combustion processes using advanced optical diagnostic techniques at practically relevant thermo-fluidic conditions. Below are the broad areas of my research:

Advanced laser diagnostic: Spectroscopic techniques such as Rayleigh/Raman scattering, filtered Rayleigh scattering for multi-scalar field measurements, gas-phase spectroscopy and non-linear diagnostics.

Propulsion: Air-breathing and rocket propulsion, cryogenic combustion, micro-thrusters based on green propellants.

Power generation: Power generation gas turbine combustor, Oxy-Coal combustion, Circulating fluidized bed combustors.

Fire Safety Research: Fire dynamics, radiative heat transfer, soot-chemistry, fire suppression technology, safety codes and standards for high energy density fuel and propellant.

Announcements

Research opportunities

Prospective students interested in working in the area of combustion, propulsion and laser diagnostics towards an MTech or PhD degree are encouraged to email Dr. Pratikash Panda (pratikashp[at]iisc.ac.in) with a CV highlighting your area of interest.

 

Postdoctoral Associate:

There is an opening for the position of Postdoctoral Associate in the Combustion and Advanced Diagnostics Research Laboratory at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IISc.

The research project involves use of state-of-the-art optical and laser-based diagnostic capabilities to investigate the complex, reacting flows at engine relevant conditions. Development of advanced diagnostics tailored to investigate the physical and chemical processes that control combustion efficiency and emissions for alternative aviation/transportation fuels. The end objective is to use the experimental data, coupled with the simulations to synthesize better understanding of alternative aviation/transportation fuels at engine relevant conditions. The selected candidate will be expected to work with high pressure combustion test systems.

Qualifications required:

PhD in Aerospace Engineering/Mechanical Engineering/Chemical Engineering with a minimum GPA of 8.0.

A strong background and training in thermal sciences, design, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Proven accomplishment in handling thermo-fluidic experiments, and laser-based diagnostics.

Qualifications desired:

  • Handling of high-pressure thermo-fluidic experiments
  • CAD modelling using ProE/SolidWorks/Unigraphics
  • Conjugate Heat Transfer and structural analysis using commercial software such as ANSYS/COMSOL
  • Programming skills in Matlab/Python, LabView
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills demonstrated through international conferences and journal publications
  • The ability to work in a team environment

Interested candidates for the above positions are requested to email Dr. Pratikash Panda (pratikashp@iisc.ac.in), with a CV including names of two references. The position will start from Aug 2019 and the selected candidate will be initially appointed for tenure of 1 year that can be extended up to 2-3 years based upon performance.

 

Project Assistant:

There is an opening for Project Assistant position in the Combustion and Advanced Diagnostics Research  Laboratory at the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IISc. The specific area of research includes design, build and test a lab-scale single element rocket injector.

The position requires sound knowledge in design, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer analysis. Experience in handling thermo-fluidic experiments, and laser-based diagnostics will be preferred. The selected candidate will be expected to work with high pressure combustion test systems.

Desired Skills:

  • CAD modelling using ProE/SolidWorks/Unigraphics
  • Conjugate Heat Transfer and structural analysis using commercial software such as ANSYS/COMSOL
  • Programming skills in Matlab/Python

Minimum Qualifications: BE/B.Tech/BS/ME/M.Tech in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering.

Interested candidates for the above positions are requested to email Dr. Pratikash Panda (pratikashp@iisc.ac.in), with a CV and a clear subject. The position will start from July 2019 and the selected candidate will be initially appointed for tenure of six months that can be extended up to one year based upon performance.

Research Statement

The focus of our research is to provide detailed understanding of flow physics coupled with complex reaction chemistry in the operating regimes of advanced propulsion and energy systems. The specific outcomes include cleaner and more efficient aviation and power generation gas turbine engines, and advanced orbital propulsion systems.  Our vision is to address the challenges in the field of aerospace propulsion, power generation, energy storage systems and fire safety, with advanced optical diagnostics as an enabling research tool lying at the core.

Current Projects

  • Investigation of a High Pressure Trapped Vortex Combustor (Co-PI, PI: Prof. Ravikrishna ME), Funding Agency: Siemens India, Project duration: 3 years
  • Temperature and soot concentration measurement in buoyant turbulent fire(PI), Funding Agency: FM Global Research, Project duration: 2 years
  • Combustion scalar measurements in a model gas turbine combustor (PI, Co-PI: Prof. S. Chaudhuri, AE), Funding Agency: JATP (A DRDO-IISc joint consortium), Project duration: 2 years
  • Development of a Fire Safety Research Laboratory (PI), Funding Agency: DST, Project Duration: 5 years
  • Clean coal technologies (CCT) for India: Oxy-fuel Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion of Coal and Biomass (Co-PI, PI: Prof. Ravikrishna ME), Funding Agency: SPARC (MHRD), Project Duration: 5 years

Sachin KS, PhD Student, Co-Advisor: Prof. Ravikrishna (ME)

Vivekananda Swami, Project Assistant

Aayushi Bohrey, Summer Intern

Kashyap Rao, Summer Intern

Kirti Viswakarma, Summer Intern

This will be updated soon.