Synthetic fiber reinforced polymers pose considerable problems at the end of their life-cycle with respect to their re-use. Simple landfill disposal of these materials is becoming increasingly impossible due to environmental issues. Concurrently, the depletion of fossil resources, critical increase in the release of CO2 ‘greenhouse gases’ into the atmosphere has accelerated an enormous interest in employing environmentally compatible and biodegradable natural fibers as reinforcements and biobased polymers (obtained from the renewable sources as corn, sugarcane, castor oil etc.) as matrix. The market for natural fiber reinforced polymer (NFRP) composites has gained tremendous growth in recent years. This research on NFRPs, its rheological and processing challenges, and a search for its various applications, will not only assist in providing good monetary returns to the farmers (with the use of straws/stalks/husks of agricultural residues as reinforcing fillers) but also reduce the greenhouse gases. During my postdoc period, I am more explored to the incorporation of natural fibers into the polymer/biobased system, its advantages, processing issues, etc.
Worked on processing and thermo-mechanical, physical, magnetic characterization of functionally graded polymeric composites/nanocomposites (FGPCs/FGPNCs) during PhD period.

Specialties: Processing: Hands-on experience of operating Extrusion, Injection/Co-Injection molding m/c, DSM micro-extrusion and micro-injection molding m/c, compression molding m/c, hand lay-up, vacuum bagging, two roll mixing m/c, BRABENDER plasticorder.
Thermo-mechanical characterization:5 years of hands-on experience of operating DMA, DSC, TGA, Zwick/Roell UTM (tensile, flexural, tear, creep, stress relaxation, hysteresis); One and half years experience of operating MFI, INSTRON, Impact test.