Meet the Team

  • Group Leader

    PhD: University of Oxford (2019)

    MSc: ETH Zurich (2015)

    BEng: National University of Singapore (2012)

    I started my journey with a Bachelor's degree from the National University of Singapore, followed by a Master's at ETH Zurich. I then moved to the University of Oxford for my PhD, where I stayed on as a research fellow, diving deeper into crystal mechanics and materials modeling. After a great stint as an Assistant Professor at the University of Bristol, I've now joined IISc in September 2024 to lead the Crystal Mechanics Lab. I'm passionate about exploring how materials behave under extreme conditions and designing new models to push the boundaries of engineering applications!

    Email: suchandrima@iisc.ac.in

  • PhD student (2022-2026)

    My research focuses on enhancing the calibration of Crystal Plasticity Finite Element (CPFE) models, which are powerful tools for simulating the grain-level mechanical behavior of polycrystalline materials. Given the complexity and computational cost of calibrating CPFE parameters, I’m using Deep Reinforcement Learning (specifically, the Deep Deterministic Policy Gradient algorithm) to optimize this process. I've developed a Python-based environment to automate calibration and compared it with traditional methods like Particle Swarm Optimization, showing improved accuracy. My work demonstrates the potential of AI-driven optimization in complex material modeling scenarios, such as simulating the cyclic behavior of stainless steel under different conditions.

    Email: fe22312@bristol.ac.uk

  • PhD student

    My research interest lies in understanding deformation behavior across different material systems. My work focuses on computational materials science, utilizing molecular dynamics simulations and high-performance computing to study mechanical responses at the atomic scale. I have experience in experimental techniques such as SEM, EBSD, and digital image correlation, complementing my computational insights. My research spans gradient nanoglass structures, additively manufactured alloys, and phase transformations under thermomechanical processing. Through my studies, I aim to bridge experimental and computational approaches to advance the design and performance of next-generation materials.

    Email: prashiljoshi@iisc.ac.in

  • PhD student

    My research focuses on understanding how irradiation influences the fatigue behaviour of structural steels used in demanding engineering environments. By combining advanced mechanical testing with crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) modelling, I am developing a physics-based framework to predict fatigue damage and microstructural evolution in irradiated materials. My work integrates complementary experimental techniques with computational modelling to bridge laboratory observations and engineering-scale predictions. Through this research, I aim to develop reliable modelling tools that support the design and lifetime assessment of next-generation materials for nuclear energy applications.

    Email: sikhalaxmi@iisc.ac.in

  • Masters Student (2026-2027)

    My research focuses on understanding how hydrogen- and helium-related defects influence the deformation behaviour of tungsten, a key material for future fusion energy systems. Using molecular dynamics simulations, I investigate how dislocations interact with irradiation-induced defect structures to uncover the mechanisms governing strength, plasticity, and defect evolution at the atomic scale. Through this work, I aim to generate fundamental insights that contribute to the development of multiscale models and support the design of radiation-tolerant materials for next-generation energy applications.

    Email: ishuthakur@iisc.ac.in

  • Masters student (2025-2026)

    My research focuses on enhancing our CPFE simulation toolbox for FeCr alloys that have been irradiated with Fe ions under a controlled thermal gradient. By integrating experimental data from Laue diffraction, nanoindentation, and AFM, I aim to refine the CPFE model by incorporating temperature as a critical parameter in irradiation damage evolution. This work will bridge the gap between experimental limitations and engineering-scale predictions, ultimately improving the model’s adaptability and its ability to forecast material behavior for reactor component design.

    Email: sandeshdhage@iisc.ac.in

  • PhD student

    I recently joined the group as a Ph.D. student after completing my MTech from IIT Hyderabad. I’ll be starting my research in December, focusing broadly on the experimental characterization of irradiated materials. My initial work will involve FeCr model alloys, where I plan to use micromechanical testing techniques—such as nanoindentation—combined with surface characterization tools like atomic force microscopy (AFM). These will help assess mechanical behavior and surface features post-irradiation.

    As the project progresses, I’ll also be using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atom probe tomography (APT) to investigate the underlying microstructural changes. A key part of my research will be to study how variables like chromium content and irradiation temperature influence defect formation and evolution.

    In addition to FeCr alloys, I may also explore irradiated vanadium-based samples, particularly those exposed to hydrogen and helium, where positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) data is already available. These systems offer a rich platform for studying defect behavior and mechanical response.

    While the specific scope of my project will continue to evolve, my broader goal is to develop strong expertise in advanced microscopy techniques—especially TEM and APT—and to apply these tools to understand and engineer defects in irradiated materials and beyond.

    Email: mushtalab@iisc.ac.in

  • PhD student

    My research focuses on understanding how Fe-Cr alloys perform under irradiation damage at different temperatures. I'm exploring these materials to find the best alloy composition that could be used as a Plasma-Facing Component (PFC) in fusion reactors. To do this, I'm using cutting-edge techniques like ion-implantation, synchrotron Laue diffraction, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and nanoindentation. My goal is to uncover how these materials behave under extreme fusion conditions and help design alloys that are ready for the future of energy!

    Email: chandrabhusan.yadav@bristol.ac.uk

  • Masters Student (2022-2023)

    My research focuses on understanding how strain rate affects the deformation behavior of irradiated tungsten, a material crucial for high-performance applications. To explore this, I’ve combined nanoindentation, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and crystal plasticity modeling to capture the nuances of how tungsten behaves under different conditions. This project opens the door to deeper insights into how we can tailor the mechanical properties of tungsten for demanding environments, with the ultimate goal of improving its performance in applications like fusion reactors."

  • Masters Student (2025-2026)

    My research is focused on enhancing the CPFE model for irradiated tungsten. I aim to capture how strain rate varies with slip systems, indentation size, and the source of irradiation. By refining these models, I hope to deepen our understanding of tungsten’s deformation behavior, ultimately paving the way for improved performance in high-demand applications like fusion reactor.

    Email: layatmikas@iisc.ac.in

  • Postdoctoral Fellow

    I joined the group as a postdoctoral researcher in September 2025 after completing my Ph.D. at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). My current research focuses on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to study the interaction of dislocations with various types of defects—such as point defects, loops, and voids. I'm particularly interested in understanding the mechanisms of these interactions, quantifying dislocation velocities, and estimating pinning forces.

    The insights I gain from MD simulations are being used to inform and validate a discrete dislocation (DD) simulation framework. Once validated, this framework will help us explore dislocation dynamics under different loading conditions. Eventually, the results from DD simulations will be integrated into a crystal plasticity finite element (CPFE) model, contributing to the broader multiscale modeling efforts of our group.

    Currently, I’m working with tungsten and FeCr alloys. My academic background is primarily in phase-field modeling, and I’m also exploring ways to couple phase-field methods with CPFE models in the future to better capture microstructural evolution and mechanical behavior.

    Email - soumyamishra@iisc.ac.in

  • Masters Student (2026-2027)

    My research focuses on developing crystal plasticity models to understand how chromium content influences the mechanical behaviour of irradiated Fe–Cr alloys. By creating a composition-dependent CPFE framework, I aim to capture how changes in alloy chemistry affect deformation and irradiation hardening at low radiation doses. This work will contribute to the development of predictive modelling tools for designing radiation-resistant structural materials for future nuclear energy systems.

    Email: saurabh2@iisc.ac.in

Past Students

Our Collaborators

  • UKAEA

  • Henry Royce Institute

  • University of Oxford

  • Advanced Photon Source, Argonne

  • Aalto University

  • University of Bristol

  • Uppsala University