Devleena Samanta

In vitro polymer biodegradation and stability studies of PLGA surgical implants due to the effects of concurrent mechanical load, hydrolysis, and thermolysis in biological media, using a wide range of lab techniques:

• Chromatography (GPC) and spectroscopy (IR, Raman) were used for molecular characterization to find that non-loaded PLGA samples, counterintuitively, degraded faster than the loaded PLGA samples. It also showed that PLGA, under load and no load, undergoes changes in copolymer composition.
• Thermal analysis, such as DSC and TGA, was used to calculate the enthalpies, crystallinity, glass transition, melting, and decomposition temperatures. This data was used to find that loading PLGA under hydrolysis causes the premature release of oligomers and monomers, causing a decrease in autocatalysis and an increase in the percentage of lactide units.
• Microscopic techniques like SEM were used to check the surface morphology to establish that the loaded PLGA samples underwent homogeneous degradation, and the non-loaded samples underwent heterogeneous degradation.
• Developed an instrument to apply static mechanical load and perform creep studies, with periodic replacement of biological media at body temperature.

Elevated temperature degradation studies of PLA for automotive, marine components, and packaging materials:

• Ongoing study to find the effect on degradation rates and mechanisms when PLA is subjected to a temperature close to, lower than, or greater than Tg.

Electro-chemo-mechanics of Li and Na metal for rechargeable batteries:

• Development of education modules related to fracture mechanics.
• Currently trying to develop immersive and interactive augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR) learning modules that illustrate the interplay among mechanics, microstructure, electric fields, and chemistry.

Neutrally stable behavior in fiber-reinforced composite tape springs used in deployable structures for spacecraft:

• Assisted in writing a critical review, a literature review, and a research proposal.

Orthogonal rheometer with generalized Neo-Hookean material:

• An attempt to find analytical solutions for the generalized Neo-Hookean model for the twisting of slabs about non-coincident axes by different amounts, using the theoretical concepts of non-linear elasticity and continuum mechanics.
• It was assumed that the distance between the top and bottom slabs remains the same, Z-constant planes (reference frame) remain as z-constant planes (current frame), and that a locus of centers is possible.

• Designed automotive components, like gear shift mechanisms, braking systems, and fuel systems, using CAD software, like CATIA.
• Preprocessing, finite element modeling (FEM) was done using HyperMesh.
• Postprocessing was done using Abaqus.

• I did piping design, identified welding defects using radiographic testing, and other non-destructive testing methods.
• Worked in the Aegean Refinery Project, which was one of the largest refinery projects in Eurasia at that time.

• Generated international exchange job opportunities.
• Facilitated international relations among National Committees of more than 80 countries.

• Generated research opportunities at university level with professors.
• Facilitated collaborative research for global exchange students.