Dr. Sushanta K. Sethi

Assistant Professor

Dept. of Mechanical, Materials & Aerospace Engineering · IIT Dharwad

Working at the frontier of computational materials science, specializing in self-cleaning and multifunctional coatings, polymer nanocomposites, and multiscale simulations. Research integrates molecular dynamics and experimental approaches using tools such as LAMMPS and Materials Studio to design advanced functional materials for sustainable applications.

40+ Publications
1,500+ Citations
Google Scholar ResearchGate
Dr. Sushanta K. Sethi
✉
sksethi@iitdh.ac.in
☎
08362309727
📍
A1-238, Academic Block-I, IIT Dharwad, Karnataka 580011
in
LinkedIn Profile
01

Academic & Professional History

Assistant Professor & Hostel Warden (H2)
IIT Dharwad
July 2023 – Present
Postdoctoral Fellow — Metallurgical Engineering & Materials Science
IIT Bombay
June 2021 – June 2023
Ph.D. — Polymer & Process Engineering
IIT Roorkee
February 2021 · Best Thesis Award

Software Expertise

LAMMPS Materials Studio Python MATLAB
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Research Group

Tanaji K. Chavan
PhD
Tanaji K. Chavan
Fabrication of Superhydrophobic Multi-Functional Coating from Sustainable Materials for Textile Application
Suchitra D.
PhD
Suchitra D.
Unraveling the Hydrogen Embrittlement Mechanism in Aluminum Matrix Composites through Multiscale Modeling and Simulation
Deepali Srivastava
M.Tech
Deepali Srivastava
Unravelling the hydrogen diffusion mechanism in PLA/GO-based composite using atomistic simulation

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Research Areas

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Self-Cleaning Coatings

Multi-scale modeling and simulation of hydrophobic/superhydrophobic surfaces. Investigating roughness effects on self-cleaning performance using molecular dynamics and continuum approaches.

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Computational Materials Science

First-principles and classical MD simulations to predict mechanical, thermal, and surface properties of novel materials. Bridging atomistic insights with macroscale behaviour.

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Multifunctional Coatings

Design and optimization of coatings for anti-corrosion, anti-icing, anti-fouling, and sensing applications. Integration of quantum dots (ZnO) for enhanced functionality.

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Polymer Nanocomposites

Development of novel and environmentally sustainable polymer composites. Multi-scale molecular modeling of PDMS, PVAc, and block copolymer systems for coatings and adhesives.

04

Research Videos

Self-Cleaning T-Shirt Demonstration
Demonstration of self-cleaning coating applied on fabric.
Self-Cleaning Glass Slide
Water droplet removal on coated glass surface.
Self-Cleaning Tissue Paper
Demonstration of coating behaviour on paper substrate.
05

Selected Publications

01

A multi-scale modeling and simulation study to investigate the effect of roughness of a surface on its self-cleaning performance HOT Article

Sethi, S.K., Singh, M., Manik, G. · Molecular Systems Design & Engineering · DOI: 10.1039/D0ME00068J · IF: 4.92
2020
02

Fabrication and Analysis of ZnO Quantum Dots Based Easy Clean Coating: A Combined Theoretical and Experimental Investigation

Sethi, S.K., Kadian, S., Goel, A., Chauhan, R.P., Manik, G. · ACS Sensors
2020
03

A molecular dynamics assisted insight on the enhancement of interfacial adhesion of carbon fiber with PP matrix via a combination of surface functionalization and defect laden CNT coating

Gogoi, R., Sethi, S.K., Maurya Atul K., Manik, G. · Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects · Vol. 68 · IF: 5.518
2023
04

Van der Waals interactions enhanced multiple-times all-waste-recycled triboelectric nanogenerator for ultra-high lifetime stability

Patra, N.R., Sethi, S.K., Garg, R., Goel, A.R., Negi, Y.S., Parida, K. · Nano Energy
2024
05

Eco-friendly self-cleaning coatings: fundamentals, fabrication, applications, and sustainability

Chavan, T.K., Sethi, S.K. · Journal of Materials Chemistry B
2024
06

Application of molecular dynamics simulations in coatings and composites

Imam A., Sethi S.K., Tusher M.M.H., et al. · Dynamic Mechanical and Creep-Recovery Behavior of Polymer-Based Composites
2024
07

Encapsulation of Wax in Complete Silica Microcapsules

Sood A., Dhiman A., Sethi S.K., Manik G., Agrawal G. · Journal of Materials Research · IF: 2.909
2022
08

Exploring surface characteristics and substrate interfacial adhesion of PDMS-b-PVAc and PDMS-b-PVOH block copolymers

Sethi, S.K., Soni, L., Manik, G. · Presented at ACS on Campus, IIT Roorkee
2018
View All on Google Scholar → ResearchGate Profile →
06

Books & Edited Volumes

Published · Springer

Coating Materials: Computational Aspects, Applications and Challenges

Verma, A., Sethi, S.K., and Ogata, S. · Springer · eBook ISBN: 978-981-99-3549-9

Accepted · Springer

Polymer Composites: From Computational to Experimental Aspects

Sethi, S.K., Gupta, H.S., and Verma, A. · SpringerNature · Status: Accepted

In Progress · CRC Press

Advances in Polymer Composite Research: Integrating Experimental and Computational Approaches

Edited volume · CRC Press · Open for chapter contributions — contact sksethi@iitdh.ac.in

2024 · Springer

Hybrid Composite Materials: Experimental and Theoretical Analysis

Verma, A., Gupta, H.S., Sethi, S.K. · Springer · 2024

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Achievements & Recognition

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Top 2% Scientists in the World

Recognized by Stanford University in association with Elsevier for the single-year category (2023). Based on citation metrics including h-index and composite c-score across 22 scientific fields.

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Best Doctoral Thesis Award

Received from the Department of Polymer & Process Engineering, IIT Roorkee for outstanding PhD research in self-cleaning coatings and molecular dynamics simulations.

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HOT Article — MSDE

Research selected as a HOT article in Molecular Systems Design & Engineering and made freely accessible for a limited period, recognizing its high-impact contribution to the field.

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STEM Society Recognition

Recognized by the Science Technology Engineering and Management (STEM) Society for significant contributions to computational polymer science and materials engineering.

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1,500+ Citations

Research cited over 1,500+ times across international journals and conferences, reflecting broad impact in computational materials science and polymer engineering communities.

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Contact

For speaking requests, research collaborations, inquiries about joining the research group, or contributions to edited book volumes, please reach out directly.

✉
☎
Phone
08362309727
📍
Office
Room A1-238, Academic Block-I (Engineering)
IIT Dharwad, Chikkamalligawad
Dharwad – 580 011, Karnataka, India

External Profiles

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Google Scholar
Cited by 1,500 · h-index profile
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ResearchGate
50 publications · 29,759 reads
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LinkedIn
Professional network & updates
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IIT Dharwad Profile
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