Vaibhavi Shah

Project 1: Enhancing mechanical strength of chemically bonded phosphate ceramics (CBPCs). 

• Led the fabrication process of chemically bonded phosphate ceramics (CBPCs) using 3D printing, improving material strength from 30 to 80 MPa to enhance reliability for industrial applications. 
• Implemented Design of Experiments (DOE) for process optimization, enhancing the mechanical properties of CBPCs to meet advanced material performance standards. 
• Utilized solution-processed lithography for surface patterning and carbon electrode printing, advancing material functionality for use in high-precision applications. 

Project 2: Microstructure analysis of hot-pressed chemically bonded phosphate ceramics (CBPCs).  

• Identified material defects such as warping in traditional ceramics, used hot-press technique to improve fabrication techniques and material consistency. 
• Applied advanced characterization techniques, including density and thermal conductivity measurements, to enhance CBPCs’ material properties for industrial uses. 
• Conducted plasma sputtering of gold to prepare samples for SEM and AFM analyses, enabling detailed microstructure and surface evaluations to drive further material development.

This research focuses on the development and optimization of chemically bonded phosphate ceramics (CBPCs) to enhance their mechanical properties and industrial applications. By utilizing 3D printing, the material’s strength was significantly improved from 30 to 80 MPa, with Design of Experiments (DOE) applied to optimize processing parameters for superior performance. Additionally, solution-based lithography was employed for precise surface patterning and carbon electrode deposition, expanding CBPCs’ potential in high-precision applications. Microstructure analysis of hot-pressed CBPCs was conducted to address defects such as warping, leading to improved fabrication consistency. Advanced characterization techniques, including density and thermal conductivity measurements, were utilized to further refine material properties. Plasma sputtering of gold was performed to prepare samples for SEM and AFM analyses, enabling detailed surface and structural evaluations. This work integrates fabrication, optimization, and characterization to advance CBPC technology for industrial use.