Good day, Deepak Kumar. I'm Arjun. I've had a look through your background and your professional record. I'm interested in hearing more about your work and how you see yourself fitting in here with our faculty. Ready to start?

Thank you so much for this opportunity.

Yes, I am.

Please start by introducing your professional journey in academia.

Sure.

Thank you so much. My name is Doctor Deepak Kumar. I currently working. I'm currently working as a.

The researcher at Incheon Nessun University and Hyundai Constructions were ideal industry oriented projects. I started my academic journey while doing my.

Masters in Mechanical Engineering at IIT BHU which inspired me to pursue a career in research and academia. I then moved to IIT Guwahati where I pursued my PhD in Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Guwahati and then from there I moved to South Korea and since last three years I've been working here.

Contributing towards automotive industry projects Construction industry project automotive.

Lightweighting with companies like Hyundai motors, Hyundai constructions, Samsung Electronics, Posco Steel. My PhD thesis was in electromagnetic welding where I work alongside with Bhava Atomic Research Center, IGCAR, Kalpakkam, IIT, Goa to use my simulation and modeling based approach. To find a optimized process window or we called Weldability window.

Using my impact welding process to replace their gas metal welding lead nuclear fuel pin for their fire breeder nuclear reactor and by using my approach, we were able to reduce the material cost by almost 30%. We were able to reduce the time required during experimental and prior to reach the optimized process window by almost 37%.

So I haven't always working by using advanced computational simulations and modeling techniques in advanced material processing approaches to move it towards industry 4.0 towards digital twin in my postdoc work or in my research work. Since last three years, I've been working in advanced material processing high velocity impact welding technique where I've worked with techniques like.

Impact welding, vaporizing foil actuator welding, explosive welding, electromagnetic welding and different other joining techniques like self-pierced riveting resistance spot welding, and then as well as alongside with combining it with artificial intelligence, machine learning and using these modern approaches to move the process to us in the city 4.0. That was all about my research as well as academic.

Professor Kumar, reviewing your background, it appears you have a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Guwahati, extensive experience with mechanical and automotive systems, and a substantial number of publications in reputed journals. You've also worked on projects related to advanced welding techniques, such as supersonic collision welding and resistance spot welding, using simulation technologies like SPH. Moreover, your expertise extends to tools like LS-DYNA, ANSYS, MATLAB, Python, and machine learning applications. Let’s begin by delving into your experiences. You led a project focused on the development of impact-induced bonding technology. Could you explain the most significant challenge encountered during this project and how you addressed it?

Well, I definitely can. Thank you so much. We have faced a series of problems during our work so.

The major problem with impact welding technique is the the lack of.

Standardization and lack of standards available as it is a still evolving process has been not yet entirely been accepted by the industry. So our major challenge is to convince the industry for accepting this process with to replace their conventionally used process and how our process can help them reduce cost. So we do that.

By.

Developing standards by building framework. For example, my recent work was.

Was based on hybrid physics informed neural network for three layer vaporizing foil actuator welding which we were doing with Hyundai motors. So we build an end to end analytical model from scratch for a three layer joining combination come used a physics based.

Data generation to train the artificial neural network, which unlike A conventional black box type in and.

The models it was based on physics and physics based data. Then we used physics based filtering system of that data combining with a streamlit based.

Graphic user interface. So to create an end to end solution to find an optimized process parameters, so that it would be easier for somebody from industrial background to understand that how can they reach an optimized joint using our approach, How much it will help them introduce the material cost experimental cost experimental trials.

So.

That is my primary problems while dealing with industrial project. While doing with the research oriented problem, I would say the major problem with impact welding processes is is analyzing the interfacial.

Phenomenons. Now to address that, we use smooth particle hydrodynamic simulation. We use the molecular dynamics, then validated it with experimental characterization to establish standards in different material combinations.

And we also dwell towards of.

Creating distinction in between different in impact welding processes. For example, one of my recent paper deals with comparing explosive welding, vaporizing, foil actuator welding and the laser impact welding to to providing the guideline that what specific impact welding process would be suitable for what specific types of application I did. Similar work in my PhD as well where I provided.

A guideline between comparison of impact welding joining by impact based.

Forming which is electromagnetic crimping and an electromagnetically assisted adhesive joining. And then I provided a guideline on what specific type of process can be used for what specific types of applications. So my work has been moving towards.

Standardization of the process to solving the critical challenges associated with the process and to.

Combining the process with artificial intelligence and machine learning to match with the Industry 4.0 goals. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Professor Kumar. Your explanation provided a detailed and thoughtful overview of both the challenges and your systematic approach to addressing them through both practical applications and academic research. Your focus on developing frameworks, integrating simulation-based modeling with machine learning techniques, and creating industry-friendly solutions is quite impressive. Now, let me ask a follow-up: Could you elaborate specifically on how your physics-informed neural network approach differs from conventional black-box models in terms of predictive accuracy and industrial scalability?

Definitely, uh, my.

Physics based in form of physics based the neural network differs from a conventional black box approach that in our case the data is based on the actual physics which is being trained again and again and also the data is being.

Filtered by the.

Physical physics based filtering system to find that to avoid any false positive, false, false negative. So unlike A conventional black box in an approach where which merely act as a statistical tool, here the machine learning is entirely infused with the mechanical.

The process and assist the process itself in finding an optimized window. Now my process have been very scalable as we worked with wide range of process.

Variables we worked with wide range of design points material combinations and then we put everything in a graphical user interface so that anybody from industry can easily see it can check that based on their material requirement, based on their plate thickness, based on their available discharge energy what can be the range of process parameters available which they can use to find and optimize process window so my. Physics based informed neural network is significant.

The robust and flexible compared to a conventional black box Ann approach.

Actually more.

Understood, Professor Kumar. Your explanation showcases how your physics-informed approach goes beyond mere statistical predictions by embedding domain-specific knowledge directly into the machine learning process. This clearly enhances its robustness, eliminates erroneous predictions, and significantly improves its practical applicability in industrial contexts. Thank you for clarifying. Moving forward, I'd like to focus on your teaching abilities. Imagine explaining the principles of impact welding to undergraduate students. How would you structure your lecture to ensure clarity, engagement, and comprehension?

I think my approach would be based on 4 principal.

That would be inclusivity, uh.

Collaborative approach, a practical based learning and 4th I can say.

Uh, proper evaluation. So I would execute that based on active learning technique, which would be problems solving based learning.

Case study based learning, a group discussion based learning and encouraging students towards the research. So I would saw I would break down a complex problem into steps of simple problem which they can easily understand or students with wide range of levels can understand. So when the real complexity arrive, they all will be.

Prepared by replacing these semester wise assignment into a semester wise group review papers or a semester wise group.

Patent writing I would encourage them to effectively communicate complex ideas into.

Into the projects. So my approach would be starting it from.

Simple level and slowly, slowly increasing the level while keeping everybody on the same page through case study based approach, through real life practical applications based approach so that they can be interested in the problem statement through group discussions so that everybody can be on the same page. That would be my approach so that my entire if I have to.

Summarize in one line. I would say in by active learning based approach I would try to keep everybody on the same page while explaining complex topics.

...starting

Thank you, Professor Kumar. Your emphasis on inclusivity, practical applications, and active learning demonstrates an admirable commitment to ensuring every student comprehends and participates, regardless of their initial level. Transitioning from foundational concepts to complex ones in a structured, interactive manner is indeed crucial for fostering both understanding and engagement in a subject like impact welding. Now, let’s focus on another aspect—your approach to research supervision. How would you mentor a student working on a thesis in automotive material joining techniques, particularly in balancing hands-on experimentation and theoretical modeling?

I completely understand that a balance is required. We cannot make a work.

Entirely based on applied work, we also have to focus on the.

The research academic.

The rigor. So my primary focus would be to 1st.

Make the student to have a flexible approach with the student and not.

The vision, which can be my vision, my uh, so my focus would be to be flexible with the approach that if the student, uh, wants to work in an applied area, he, he can, he or she can go and apply area. The student wants to work more into a theoretical modeling area, he or she can go into, into the modeling area. So my focus would be to capitalize on the. Strength and interest of the student while also assisting and guiding.

Force the student towards a certain specific.

Towards the weaker.

Portion of the student so that's so that's student can confidently pursue his research goal with UH.

Uttermost attention while feeling that I'm here to.

Sell him through the regions which are the weaker.

Portions. So a balance would be my approach.

Thank you, Professor Kumar. Your approach to flexible mentorship, focusing on the strengths and interests of the student while nurturing their weaker areas, reflects a clear understanding of individual student needs. It also demonstrates your dedication to fostering independent thought and academic growth, which is crucial in guiding research thesis work. Speaking about balance, I see that you have worked on many collaborative projects with industry partners. Could you share how you handle the diverse expectations and goals of academia and industry in collaborative projects? How do you ensure mutual benefit?

Of course, thank you so much at the moment.

I have been collaborating with Ohio State University, Cornell University, TU Dartmouth, IIT Indoor and different regional universities in South Korea. Along with that, I have been a COPI with several industrial projects with Bosco Steel, Hyundai Construction, Hyundai Motors, Samsung Electronics. So my primary approach is effective.

Communication as different collaborators may have different research.

Goals in mind For example, industrial partner wants to focus more on applied work while me being a part of a research institution also has to focus on academic.

The rigor of the research work, so academic aspect of the work, so effective communication from.

Things which we want to focus and things which they want to focus is very important to make a balance and also.

Betting on the strength of each collaborator. For example, certain collaborator may have a very strong experimental facility. Certain collaborators may have a strong experimental characterization facility. For example, we have a very strong computational and.

The modeling facility, we have a strong idea.

Generation.

The manpower available so we each focusing on the strength of their.

We that I can help them achieve their applied associated goals while then I can continue to focus on my the research and academic aspect of the research so.

Each other can effectively come in effectively, uh, contribute, uh, to of their best towards the project while also establishing that.

Clearly establishing the roles, clearly having the effective communications and following up with each other about their practice.

About their.

Progress is they are.

To monitoring of of the progress being made towards the project is also important so that we can make it as a closed loop feedback system if certain aspect needs to be.

The making as I've been also a project manager in several projects, so effective.

Fasten up, we can focus on that if certain aspect have been done.

Properly then maybe we can assign different work to the group. So an effective the management communication assignment and the.

The mentoring is very crucial.

Understood, Professor Kumar. Your emphasis on leveraging each collaborator's strengths, maintaining effective communication, and clearly outlining roles reflects a strategic and organized approach to managing academic-industry collaboration. It’s evident that your experience as a project manager equips you well for ensuring progress and mutual benefit. Before we move forward, let me shift focus briefly. Could you describe how your experience with industry collaborations influences your teaching methods, particularly in making theoretical concepts relatable to real-world applications for your students?

Sorry to interrupt, we're down to the last 5 minutes.

Of course I'll do. I'll make it quick. So based. Also after getting a lot of industrial experience and working with a lot of industrial partner, I was able to understand the theoretical foundation in more.

Theft. So I would like to do the same for my students as well. I would like to start my theoretical foundation with describing them about their actual.

The real life applications, their industrial applications to create interest among them and then try to connect my theoretical principles, my story with practical applications. So in that way I would like to bridge the.

GAP and I would like to use my vast experience in working in academia and research to help my student. I would like to encourage my students based on my industrial contracts to get internships, internships to have some collaborative projects to have.

Case study based.

Based learning to understand the theoretical foundation, uh, in a more smooth manner. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Professor Kumar. Your process of tying theoretical foundations to real-world applications, supported by your industry experience, and encouraging internships and collaborative projects will undoubtedly enhance the learning experience for your students. This brings us to the final point: guiding student projects and research. Can you share a specific instance where you successfully guided a student or a team to achieve outstanding project outcomes? What was your role, and what made it successful?

Yes, of course, as I have been now.

Copy I in several projects, so I I often I have been the mentoring.

Many undergrads and many master students here in South Korea, as well as back in the day during my PhD at Guwahati. So what I try to focus on that, on the.

To on the students strength and let them think about their vision and help them understand their vision better and because of that of.

All of my master's students have at least one to two research.

During my PhD and my intern had one research publication as well.

Publication.

By master student had one research application as well, so I tried to have some sort of a productive outcome beyond their undergrad theses or master theses which they can use to later on in their.

Life in their jobs, in their industrial career, in their academic career. So I try to have some sort of a productive outcome to maybe a research paper, maybe a.

Patterned and so far I have been successful in all my endeavors while guiding each master's, undergrads, and interns. Thank you so much.

Thank you, Professor Kumar. Your focus on ensuring a tangible and productive outcome, such as research publications or patents, demonstrates a strong commitment to your students' future success, whether in academia or industry. It’s evident that you are deeply invested in mentoring and guiding students toward impactful achievements. Professor, we have covered various aspects of your professional and academic expertise today. Is there anything else you would like to discuss or highlight before we conclude?

I would like to highlight that apart from my 16.

Published research paper and many research papers under the review I have also.

3 patents, 2 of which are accepted and one.

Has been applied. I also would like to highlight that we have been working on several industrial projects to gain more.

Funding. So this was about me. I want to ask that what kind of responsibilities are there associated with this role as I would like to focus on administrative aspect of the role, the research aspect of the role, the academic aspect of the role. So what kind of responsibilities are associated with this role?

The responsibilities for this role encompass a diverse set of academic, research, and administrative duties. These include conducting both classroom and laboratory teaching sessions, evaluating students and overseeing exam-related responsibilities, guiding student projects and research, and contributing to the publication of research papers in international journals. Additionally, the role involves participating in research development, consultancy activities, and promoting industry-institution collaboration. Being involved in interdisciplinary research or funded projects is also a plus. Administrative roles may include curriculum development, accreditation efforts, or departmental tasks to support the academic mission. Does that address your query, Professor Kumar?

Yes it does. Thank you so much for everything. It was a very lovely having this interaction with you.

Our scheduled

Yes.

Thank you so much.

Thank you, Professor Kumar. It was a pleasure speaking with you as well. I appreciate the depth of your insights and your commitment to both research and teaching. I wish you the very best in this process and your future endeavors. Have a great day!