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Biography

I am a Project Scientist at the Centre for Advanced Ceramic Materials (CACM), ARCI, Hyderabad, where my research focuses on the development and optimization of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) components. Specifically, I work on the design and flow-field optimization of metallic interconnects (IC) and the development of protective coatings to ensure the longevity of SOFC stacks in high temperature environments.

Currently I am a Direct PhD scholar (M.S. + Ph.D.) in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at IIT Madras. My doctoral research was centered on the surface engineering of stainless steel bipolar plates for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells. During my tenure at IIT Madras, I gained significant expertise in Plasma Electrolytic Processing (PEP), successfully synthesizing nitride coatings to enhance the performance and durability of metallic bipolar plates. A key milestone of my PhD work was my role as a lead team member in the design and development of a custom-built PEP processing unit.

Besides my research, I have a strong interest in cybersecurity, computer science and ethical hacking. I earned Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) from ISC2 in the year 2025. Personally, I love reading the Book, listening to music, and travelling. 

Research Areas of Interest

  1. Surface & Corrosion Engineering
  2. Electrochemical Testing
  3. Plasma Electrolytic Processing
  4. Metallic Bipolar Plates and Interconnects
  5. PEM and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

Highest Qualification

Ph.D. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

List of Publications

  1. D. P. Palika, J. M. Prabhakar, A. Ganapathi, M. Rohwerder, and L. Neelakantan; (2025). Electrochemical performance of plasma electrolytically nitrided 316L stainless steel for bipolar plate applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry, 29 (5203–5215). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10008-025-06361-7

Conference Proceedings

  1. H2FC workshop on Hydrogen: Shades and Applications held at Center for Fuel Cell Technology, ARCI- IITM Research Park, Chennai, India from 7th to 8th Oct 2022.
  2. Emerging Materials & Technology and Advances in Heat Treatment (MET+HTS), an international conference held at Mumbai Exhibition Center, Mumbai, India, from 2nd to 4th Nov 2022.
  3. International Conference on Corrosion and Coating (i3C), held at CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, India, from 7th to 9th Dec 2022.
  4. 244th Electrochemical Society Meeting, an international conference held at Swedish Exhibition and Congress Center, Gothenburg, Sweden, from 8th to 12th Oct 2023.

Major Projects / Technologies Developed

  1. Enhancement of electrical conductivity of Li-ion battery electrode materials using nanomaterials (Naval Science and Technology Laboratory, DRDO, Visakhapatnam)
  2. Crevice corrosion testing of Ni-based superalloys (IIT Madras, Chennai)
  3. Corrosion performance analysis of Pipeline steels (IIT Madras, Chennai)
  4. Design and development of Plasma Electrolytic processing unit (IIT Madras, Chennai)
  5. Electrochemical performance of plasma electrolytically nitrided stainless steels (316L & 904L) for bipolar plate applications in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (IIT Madras, Chennai)

Awards & Honours

  1. Best Oral Presentation Award: At International Conference on Corrosion and Coating (i3C), held at CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur, India, from 7th to 9th Dec 2022.

Affiliation to Professional Societies

  1. Direct Ph.D Scholar at Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai, India.
  2. International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC2) candidate.