RESUME

R. John Felix Kumar C-1,ViswanathapuramKamarajar salaiMayiladuthurai - 609001Tamilnadu# +91 – 9944531779 / felix1976@gmail.Com

Academic Qualification: Ph.D. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of

Technology, Madras, India (July 2013) Specialized in materials used for energy devices, polymers, carbon based materials Thesis title: “Enhanced Surface properties and Electrochemical durability of Multistage

PTFE treated Gas Diffusion Layers for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cells” Research Supervisor: Prof. Prathap Haridoss (IIT Madras)

M.Tech. in Materials Science, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, India (June 2004)

Thesis title: Synthesis of oxides and value added materials from slags and Industrial wastes Research Supervisor: Prof. S. Raman Sankaranarayanan (NIT, Tiruchirappalli)

M.Sc., (Chemistry), St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, India (November 1999) Project title: Peroxidation of organic compounds in different solvents Project Supervisor: Prof. T.V. Antony

Professional Experience: Project Officer : (August 2012 – July 2013) in a collaborative project investigated by faculties

of Chemical Engineering and Applied Mechanics Department, IIT Madras. Project Title: Bi- Axial Electromechanical characterization of piezzoelectric polymers Sponsoring Agency : Aeronautics Research and Development Board, New Delhi Project supervisors: Prof. Abhijit. P. Deshpande and Prof.C. Lakshman Rao (IIT Madras)

As a part of the project I extensively studied the temperature effect on deformation behavior of Polyvinylidene Flouride (PVDF) material under static and dynamic loading conditions

Besides, I have experience as teaching faculty in the field of Materials science, Corrosion Engineering and Non Destructive testing and failure analysis. Currently I am working as teaching faculty in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli.

Characterization Techniques known:

Exposure in Cyclic Voltammetry, Impedance Spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FTIR, TGA-DSC, SEM, XRD, contact angle measurement and Non Destructive Techniques.

Projects:1. Title: “Enhanced Surface properties and Electrochemical durability of Multistage PTFE treated Gas Diffusion Layers for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cells” (2007-2012) Accelerated degradation tests on carbon based gas diffusion layers (GDL) were conducted

to study the durability of gas diffusion layers under PEM Fuel cell conditions Surface chemistry changes on gas diffusion layers due to carbon corrosion and resulting

hydrophobicity loss was studied Role of PTFE on durability of gas diffusion layers and their degradation behavior were

studied under PEM Fuel cell conditions Developed a novel approach of multiple stages of PTFE treatment for gas diffusion layers as

opposed to conventional single stage PTFE treatment to establish hydrophobicity gradients across the structure of gas diffusion layers

The lifetime of the existing gas diffusion layers for PEM fuel cells was increased by enhancing their surface hydrophobicity and electrochemical durability by modified approach of multiple stages of PTFE treatment

2. Title: Synthesis of oxides and value added materials from slags and Industrial wastes (2003 - 2004)

Proposed a design for mini pilot plant for recovering ferrite grade iron oxides and glasses from slags and wastes through techno - economic study as per the basis of experiments conducted at the laboratory level at NIT, Tiruchirapalli

3. Title: Oxidation of aromatic compounds by per benzoic acid in different solvents (6 months)

The oxidation of benzyl alcohol, acetophenone, benzophenone and toluene in different solvents was analyzed using thin layer chromatography

Positions of Responsibility: L- Corporal in NCC (1991-1992) Vice-Chairman, Material Advantage – Indian Institute of Metals- Chennai (2008-2009)

Publications:1. Effect of Electrochemical aging on the interaction between Gas Diffusion Layers and the Flow

Field in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cell, John Felix Kumar R, V. Radhakrishnan, and Prathap Haridoss, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 36, 2011, 7207-7211

2. Enhanced mechanical and electrochemical durability of multistage PTFE treated gas diffusion ilayers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, John Felix Kumar R, V. Radhakrishnan and Prathap Haridoss, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 37, 2012, 10830-10835

3. Improved Surface Properties Of Al 2024 Based Surface Hybrid Composites By Friction Stir Processing, P. Muthukumar, Mebin T Kuruvilla, R.John Felix Kumar and S. Jerome, ICMDM 2016, Anna University, Chennai-36

4. Cold Metal Transfer And Riveted Joint Strength On AA2024 Aircraft Sheets, S. Prakash, L. Gopinath, S. Jerome and R. John Felix Kumar, LAMSYS 2016, ISRO,Srihrikotta

5. Temperature dependent deformation of PVDF under uniaxial extension, John Felix kumar R, Akilesan, Abhijit P Deshpande, Susy Varughese and Lakshman Rao, INCAM 2013, IIT Madras

6. Durability assessment of PVA/SSA membranes using peroxide permeation rate”, John Felixkumar R, P Kanakasabai, Abhijit P Deshpande, Susy Varughese and Prathap Haridoss, FUCETECH 2009, Mumbai

7. Electrochemical aging of carbon cloth gas diffusion layer under simulated PEMFC environment”, John Felix Kumar R and Prathap Haridoss, ISAEST 2010, Chennai

8. Durability of S-PEEK and blended membranes under humidity cycling”, John Felix Kumar R and Prathap Haridoss, ISRS 2010, IIT Madras, Chennai

9. Development of Metal – Ceramic alloy coatings on AISI 1045 by Laser Processing”. Jagdeesh.R, Kamachi Mudali.U, Balasubramanian,K.R, John Felix Kumar. R and Nath.A.K, Fifth DAEBRNS National Laser Symposium (NLS-5), Dec 7-10, 2005, Vellore Institute of Technology,Vellore, India

10. Value added oxides from metallurgical wastes”, John Felix Kumar R and Raman Sankaranarayanan S, Presented at the 42nd National Metallurgists Day, 58th Annual Technical Meeting of the Indian Institute of Metals, Tiruvananthapuram, November 17 – 19, 2004

Co-Curricular Activities: Conducted school outreach programme through Material Advantage association in 2008

to create awareness about metallurgy and materials science among school students in Chennai

Conducted open house programme during IIT Madras annual technical festival SAASTRA 2008 to exhibit fuel cell system and functions

Objective: To focus research on materials for the near future

References:1. Prof. Prathap Haridoss

Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering,Indian Institute of Technology Madras,Chennai – 36.044 – 22574771prathap@iitm.ac.in

2. Prof. P. Abhijit DeshpandeDepartment of Chemical Engineering,

Indian Institute of Technology Madras,Chennai – 36.044 – 22574169abhijit@iitm.ac.in

3. Dr. Susy VarugheseAssociate Professor,Department of Chemical Engineering,Indian Institute of Technology Madras,Chennai – 36.044 – 22574172susy@iitm.ac.in