Shalini Kushwaha

Doctoral researcher in Materials Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur with expertise in materials characterization, microstructure-property correlation, ceramic matrix composites, and thermal barrier coatings for aerospace applications. Experienced in tribology, high-temperature corrosion, isothermal oxidation, and surface engineering techniques including laser remelting.

Doctoral Researcher (PhD) - Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur - Kanpur, India

(2019-12 - 2026-05)

Thesis defended on May 18, 2026. Thesis Title: Micro-nano structured bimodal Al2O3 based thermal barrier coatings: effect of nano-ZrO2 and CNTs reinforcements. Supervisor: Prof. Kantesh Balani

• Developed Al2O3-ZrO2-CNT based bimodal microstructured coatings via spray drying and atmospheric plasma spraying
• Applied Weibull statistical analysis to evaluate the reliability of hardness and elastic modulus
• Evaluated coating fracture toughness and quantified micro-/nano-region and reinforcement contributions using fractal model analysis
• Studied the effects of laser surface remelting on microstructural, mechanical, and tribological behaviour of TBCs
• Performed hot corrosion testing of TBCs and analysed results
• Conducted high-temperature oxidation of coatings to assess sintering resistance and thermal conductivity evolution
• Mentored bachelor and master students in laboratory

Post Graduate Researcher (MTech) - Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur - Kanpur, India

(2019-12 - 2025-06)

Thesis defended on June 25, 2025. Thesis Title: Microstructural, Mechanical and Tribological Behaviour of Spark Plasma Sintered Ceria and Carbon Nanotubes Reinforced 3 mol.% Yttria Stabilized Zirconia. Supervisor: Prof. Kantesh Balani

• Fabricated 3YSZ-CeO2-CNT based thermal barrier composites using spark plasma sintering
• Used Halpin-Tsai and Williamson-Hall analyses to estimate crystallite size and micro-strain evolution
• Studied mechanical, microstructural, and tribological properties of the sintered composites
• Investigated the role of tetragonal ZrO2, CeO2 redox behaviour, and CNT lubrication in improving composite wear performance
• Acquired foundational skills in scientific and technical writing

Teaching Assistant (TA) - Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur - Kanpur, India

(2019-12 - 2026-05)

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

• Lab teaching assistantship: Nature and Properties of Materials (ESO225)
• Course teaching assistantship: Materials Science Application in Life Sciences (MSE693)
• Course teaching assistantship: Nanostructures and nanomaterials: Characterization and Properties (MSE694)
• Characterization Instruments teaching assistantship: Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Raman spectrometer, and X-ray diffractometer (XRD)

Industrial Trainee - Indian Ordnance Factory Kanpur (OFC) - Kanpur, India

(2016-06 - 2016-07)

Industrial Trainee - Indian Ordnance Factory Kanpur (OFC) - Kanpur, India

(2017-06 - 2017-07)

MTech-PhD (Dual Degree) - Materials Science and Engineering - Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (2019-12 - 2026-05)

B.Tech - Mechanical Engineering - Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University (2014-01 - 2018-12)