NUE: Transitioning Nanoscale Research to Undergraduate Classroom at NC A&T State University

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Dr. Devdas M. Pai

Professor, PI

Department of Mechanical Engineering
North Carolina A&T State University
1601 E. Market St.
Fort IRC Bldg, Room 119
Greensboro, NC 27411

Location: Fort IRC Bldg, Rm 119
E-mail: pai@ncat.edu
Telephone: (336) 256-1151x2106
Fax: (336) 256-1153

Education:
B.Tech., Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology - Madras, 1982; M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University, 1984; Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University, 1984

Dr. Pai's general area of research over the last decade has dealt with manufacturing processes and materials engineering, he studies the effect of manufacturing process parameters on bulk and surface material properties and, conversely, the role of these properties in determining optimal process parameters. His past work has included the following:
- developing an understanding of the sawing of brittle materials with diamond tools by studying the variation of cutting forces and energy as a function of machining variables and cutting tool parameters,
- examining the effect of manufacturing defects on the tensile properties of ductile materials,
- investigating the effect of environmental factors and fatigue treatment on the peel strength of aircraft tires, and
- studying the effect of atmospheric impurities on the quality of joints formed when brazing aluminum in a vacuum.

The following research is currently being carried out:

Quality improvement of the resin transfer molding process. Variations that fit between composite preform and the mold currently cause uneven flow of resin through the mold cavity, leading to non-uniform or incomplete resin infiltration. The objective is to predict unsatisfactory resin flow by studying the flow of a non-reacting probe fluid - nitrogen gas. Part quality is checked by performing C-scans and compression and short beam shear tests on specimens cut out of the part. Void content is calculated by acid digestion. The project aims to correlate mechanical properties with manufacturing quality.