Mechanical Engineer

Avinash Baji

*** ******** **, *****, **-*****

Email: *******.****@*****.***, Phone: 330-***-****

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Extensive knowledge of material characterization and testing.

Specialized in polymer processing and characterizing the fracture and toughness properties of polymers.

Proficient in testing composites and analyzing their mechanical behavior.

EDUCATION

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mechanical Engineering

University of Akron, Akron, Ohio. Jan 2005- Present (Feb 2008 expected graduation)

Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering

University of Akron, Akron, Ohio. Aug 2002- Aug 2005

Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering

Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad, India. May 1998- May 2002

EXPERIENCE

Research Assistant

Advanced Materials Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering,

University of Akron (Jan 2005-Present)

Teaching Assistant

Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Lab, Department. of Biomedical Engineering,

University of Akron (Aug 2003- Aug 2004)

Graduate Student Assistant

Mentored and Guided Under-Graduate Students with Senior Design Projects. Tutor at Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academics (IDEAs) Program

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Polymer Processing

• Prepared nano-composites of biopolymer (polycaprolactone) and bioceramic (hydroxyapatite) using electrospinning for tissue engineering applications.

• Prepared polymer composite (LDPE, HDPE, PCL, PVC) samples using twin-screw extruder, injection molding and compression molding.

Mechanical Property Characterization

• Tested the mechanical properties of bulk polymer composites using Instron 5582 and compared the results with that of polymer nano-composites.

• Evaluated the nano-mechanical properties of the single biodegradable polymers fibers using MTS NanoBionix and tested nanoindentation properties using MTS Nanoindenter.

• Evaluated the fracture toughness properties of the biomaterials and nano-composites.

• Determined the biomechanical properties of implants used for distal femoral fixation.

• Detemined the pull out strength of bone screws on cancellous and cortical bones.

• Determined the fatigue properties of the bone implants.

Material Characterization

• Determined the mechanical and molecular deformations of the composites using wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) & small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS).

• Used fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify the functional groups.

• Examined the fracture surface morphology of the tested samples using scanning electron microscope (SEM) & transmission electron microscope (TEM)

Thermal Analysis & Degradation Analysis

• Determined the glass transition & melting temperature of the composites using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) & dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC).

• Degradation analysis on the samples was obtained using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Working experience in finite element analysis and modeling using SDRC IDEAS and Abacus. Designed carbon epoxy bone plate using IDEAS and Abacus for a class project.

• Working experience in Pro/E and AutoCAD.

• Efficient using SAS for statistical analysis of the research data.

• Proficient using Excel & Sigmaplot for research data analysis.

PUBLICATIONS

• Baji, A.; Wong, SC.; Srivatsan, TS.; Njus, GO.; Mathur, G. Processing Methodologies for Polycaprolactone-HydroxyapatiteComposites: A Review. Materials and Manufacturing Processes 2006, 20, 211-218.

• Baji, A.; Wong, SC.; Liu, T.; Li, T.; Srivatsan, TS. Morphological and X-ray Diffraction Studies of Crystalline Hydroxyapatite Reinforced Polycaprolactone. in Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part B- Applied Biomaterials 2007, 81, 343-350.

• Wong, SC.; Baji, A. Interfacial Adhesion Between Hydroxyapatite and Polycaprolactone and Their Electrospun Composite Toughness. Annual Technical Conference- Society of Plastic Engineers 2007, 65th, 27-31.

• Wong, SC.; Baji, A.; Gent AN. A Technique to Assess Adhesive Strength and Toughness of Hydroxyapatite-Filled Poly(e-caprolactone). Key Engineering Materials 2007, 549-552.

• Wong, SC.; Baji, A. Fracture and Adhesive Strength of Hydroxyapatite Filled Polycaprolactone. Journal of Material Science: Materials in Medicine 2007.

• Wong, SC.; Baji, A. Fracture Behavior of Hydroxyapatite-Filled Polycaprolactone. Accepted at Proceedings of IMECE2006: ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress, November 5-10, 2006, Chicago, Illinois USA

• Baji, A.; Wong, SC.; Blackledge, TA.; Leng, S. Mechanical Properties of Electrospun Composites and Their Crystallinity Measurements Using X-Ray Diffraction. In Press Annual Technical Conference- Society of Plastic Engineers.

• Wong, SC.; Baji, A.; Gent, AN. Effect of Specimen Thickness on Fracture Toughness and Adhesive Properties of Hydroxyapatite Filled Polycaprolactone. In Press Journal of Composites Part A: Science and Manufacturing.

• Wong, SC.; Baji, A.; Blackledge, TA.; Reneker, D.; Tripatanasuwan, S. Enhanced Mechanical Properties of Confined Electrospun Polymer Nanofibers. In Process Polymer.

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