Engineering Technologies for Renewable and Recyclable Materials (ePub)

Praveen K. M. is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Saintgits College of Engineering, India. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Engineering Sciences at the University of South Brittany (Université de Bretagne Sud) - Laboratory IRDL PTR1, Research Center "Christiaan Huygens," in Lorient, France, in the area of coir-based polypropylene micro composites and nanocomposites. He has published an international article in Applied Surface Science and has also presented poster and conference papers at national and international conferences. He has also worked with the Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia; Mahatma Gandhi University, India; and the Technical University in Liberec, Czech Republic. His current research interests include plasma modification of polymers, polymer composites for neutron shielding applications, and nanocellulose.

Sabu Thomas, PhD, is the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University and Founding Director of the International and Inter University Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University, India. He is also a full professor of polymer science and engineering at the School of Chemical Sciences of the same university. The research activities of Professor Thomas include surfaces and interfaces in multiphase polymer blend and composite systems; phase separation in polymer blends; compatibilization of immiscible polymer blends; thermoplastic elastomers; phase transitions in polymers; nanostructured polymer blends; macro-, micro- and nanocomposites; polymer rheology; recycling; reactive extrusion; processing-morphology-property relationships in multiphase polymer systems; double networking of elastomers; natural fibers and green composites; rubber vulcanization; interpenetrating polymer networks; diffusion and transport; and polymer scaffolds for tissue engineering. He has supervised 68 PhD theses, 40 MPhil theses, and 45 Masters thesis. He has three patents to his credit. He also received the coveted Sukumar Maithy Award for the best polymer researcher in the country for the year 2008. Very recently, Professor Thomas received the MRSI and CRSI medals for his excellent work. A proflic author with an H index of 81, he has published over 750 peer-reviewed research papers, reviews, and book chapters.

Reza Haghi, PhD, is a research assistant at the Institute of Petroleum Engineering at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. Dr. Haghi has published several papers in international peer-reviewed scientific journals and has published several papers in conference proceedings, technical reports, and lecture notes. Dr. Haghi is an expert in the development and application of spectroscopy techniques for monitoring hydrate and corrosion risks and developed techniques for early detection of gas hydrate risks. He conducted integrated experimental modeling in his studies and extended his research to monitoring system to pH and risk of corrosion. During his PhD work at Heriot-Watt University, he has developed various novel flow assurance techniques based on spectroscopy as well as designed and operated test equipment. He received his MSc in Advanced Control Systems from the University of Salford, Manchester, England, United Kingdom.