Spandana Vajrala
PhD, Materials Science & Engineering
Tempe,AZ
Summary
Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Expertise in particle technology, multiphase modeling, material testing and characterization with strong background in Materials Science and Engineering. Seeking a career that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills.
Overview
1
1
year of professional experience
11
11
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Post Doctorial Research Scholar
Arizona State University, Tempe Campus
06.2021 - Current
- Conduct independent research and industry collaboration to attain short and long-term objectives.
Research Associate
Arizona State University, ASU
05.2021 - 05.2021
- Researched and tested design feasibility and operation of equipment, components and systems in collaboration with Applied Materials, Inc., to evaluate the flow behavior and heat transfer of solid precursors used in semiconductor processing.
- Developed, tested and assessed a prototype component for uniform material deposition to eliminate downtime.
- Investigated the factors affecting rheology of granular materials and developed an empirical relation to predict the flow function.
Research Associate
Flexible Display Center, ASU
05.2015 - 08.2015
- Variable temperature photoluminescence spectra for OLEDs: Tested efficiency of thermally activated delayed fluorescence in Organic LEDs - PL-spectra for temperatures ranging from 77K – 300K using Horiba Fluorolog.
- High performance liquid chromatography of platinum complexes: Separated isomers based on chirality, compositional analysis using chromatograms and further purification of each isomer till >98% pure, for Pt-based organic LED preparation.
Research Intern
Defense Metallurgical Research Laboratory, DRDO
, India
12.2013 - 06.2014
- Investigation of optimal sintering conditions of ceramic powders for aero-foil turbine blade casting - Compacted & optimized the sintering conditions for Silica-Alumina-Zirconia (SAZ) ceramic core to use in aero-foil turbine blades that survive high temperatures and pressures using sigma mixer & cold iso-static uniaxial pressing;
- Investigated sintering conditions at various temperatures and tested mechanical properties at each sintered condition and examined phases present using XRD analysis.
Summer Intern
Vishakhapatnam Steel Plant
, India
04.2013 - 06.2013
- Coordinated with quality control staff to complete inspection of blowing trends in LD converter during steel manufacture to keep equipment uptime high and eliminate abnormalities.
- Assessed final steel quality and chemical composition.
- Produced reports on diagnostic outcomes and key factors discovered during production.
Education
Ph.D. - Materials Science and Engineering
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 05.2016 - 05.2021
Master of Science - Materials Science and Engineering
Arizona State University
Tempe, AZ 08.2014 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Technology - Metallurgical Engineering
Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University
Hyderabad, India 07.2009 - 06.2013
Skills
Particle Rheometry
Material Characterization (SEM, XRD, Mechanical testing)
Minitab
MathematicaGrant writing
Training and mentoring
Process flow analysis
Project planning and development
Design of Experiments
AutoCAD
Light Microscopy
Research and analysis
Additional Information
- University Graduate Fellowship, Arizona State University, $5,000 (Summers 2015 and 2018)
Conference Presentations
Oral Presentations:
1. S. Vajrala, H. Emady, “The effects of particle size distribution and moisture on the flowability of fibrous and woody biomass,” 8th World Congress on Particle Technology, Orlando, Florida, USA April 2018.
2. H. Bagheri, S. Vajrala, V. Taduru, S. White, D. Lee, H. Emady, H. Marvi, “Experimental and Computational Characterization of Wet Granular Media,” Materials Research Society Spring Meeting, Phoenix, AZ, April 2017.
Poster Presentations:
1. S. Vajrala, H. Emady, “Predicting the Flow of Various Sizes and Moisture Contents of Glass Beads”, Frontiers in Particle Science and Technology - AICHE, 2020.
2. S. Vajrala, H. Bagheri, H. Marvi, H. Emady, “Impact of non-spherical projectiles on granular media”, 8th World Congress on Particle Technology, Orlando, Florida, USA April 2018.
3. S. Vajrala, H. Bagheri, H. Marvi, H. Emady, “Impact of projectiles of different geometries on dry granular media using dem simulations”, American Physical Society March Meeting, New Orleans, LA, March 2017.
4. H Bagheri, S Vajrala, V Taduru, SX White, A Pazouki, HN Emady, H Marvi, “Locomotion on Wet Granular Media”, Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology, New Orleans, LA, January 2017.
5. H. Bagheri, S. Vajrala, V. Taduru, S. White, D. Lee, H. Emady, H. Marvi, “Simulation of Robotic Systems on Granular Media,” International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition, Phoenix, AZ, November 2016
6. S. Vajrala, H. Emady, “Impact Dynamics of Low-velocity projectiles on Wet Granular Media”, Frontiers in Particle Science and Technology - AICHE, 2016.
Timeline
Post Doctorial Research Scholar
Arizona State University, Tempe Campus
06.2021 - Current
Research Associate
Arizona State University, ASU
05.2021 - 05.2021
Ph.D. - Materials Science and Engineering
Arizona State University
05.2016 - 05.2021
Research Associate
Flexible Display Center, ASU
05.2015 - 08.2015
Master of Science - Materials Science and Engineering
Arizona State University
08.2014 - 05.2016
Research Intern
Defense Metallurgical Research Laboratory, DRDO
12.2013 - 06.2014
Summer Intern
Vishakhapatnam Steel Plant
04.2013 - 06.2013
Bachelor of Technology - Metallurgical Engineering
Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University
07.2009 - 06.2013