Dr. Milind Kulkarni - Chemistry - Excellence in Scientific Innovation Award

C-MET, Pune - India

Author Profile

🌱 Early academic pursuits

Dr. Milind v. Kulkarni began his academic journey with excellence, earning an m.sc. in polymer chemistry from shivaji university, kolhapur, in 1996, securing the first rank. he went on to complete his ph.d. in 2002 from the university of pune, focusing on “conducting polymer based sensors.” his formative years laid a strong foundation in material chemistry, polymers, and their electronic applications, which later extended to interdisciplinary domains including power electronics and smart materials.

👨‍🔬 Professional endeavors

Dr. Kulkarni started his career as a scientist-b at the centre for materials for electronics technology (c-met), pune, under the ministry of electronics and information technology (meity), govt. of india. currently serving as centre head, he has led several pioneering projects. his role spans advanced materials development, applied research, institutional collaborations, and national-level innovation programs. he also serves in academic bodies such as the board of studies of symbiosis international university, fergusson college, d.y. patil university, and mit-wpu. he has also been appointed as adjunct faculty at coep and expert member at technovuus, arai, advancing r&d integration in power electronics and material sciences.

🧪 Contributions and research focus

Dr. Kulkarni's research focuses on the development of active materials for li-ion and na-ion batteries, solid-state and flexible batteries, and next-gen systems like li-s and li-air batteries targeting hybrid electric vehicles. he has engineered polyaniline-based thin, flexible, and cost-effective batteries and developed e-textiles using polyaniline-cnt nanocomposites. his expertise extends to Chemistry inkjet-printed, flexible electronics, and multifunctional nanomaterials for power electronics and biomedical applications. notably, he successfully demonstrated a lead-free x-ray attenuation apron and fabricated polymer nanocomposites for biosensing, including e-nose and e-tongue devices. the cross-application of his work bridges chemical sensing, energy storage, and next-gen power electronics.

🌍 Impact and influence

Dr. Kulkarni’s innovations, including india’s first indigenous low-cost polymer swab for covid-19 diagnostics, have had a significant societal and industrial impact. his active engagement with the automotive sector through arai and technovuus highlights his contribution to applied research in power electronics and energy storage. he is a member of prestigious organizations such as the Chemistry electrochemical society (usa), electrochemical society of india, materials research society of india, and society for polymer science (india). as a fellow of the royal society of chemistry (frsc, london) and maharashtra academy of sciences, his expertise is globally recognized.

📚 Academic cites

Dr. Kulkarni has published over 115 peer-reviewed research papers in reputed international journals. with a google scholar h-index of 36, more than 4322 citations, and i10-index of 85, his scholarly contributions underscore the relevance and quality of his work. he has also presented 130+ conference papers and delivered over 50 invited lectures, reflecting his status as a Chemistry thought leader in nanotechnology and energy materials. his 25+ patents, including those granted in the us, canada, germany, and a pct filing, highlight his innovative capacity.

🎓 Legacy and future contributions

Dr. Kulkarni has mentored 5 ph.d. scholars, with 5 more currently under guidance, in addition to supervising m.phil., m.tech., b.e., and m.sc. students. his dedication to nurturing young researchers ensures the continuity of research excellence in polymer nanocomposites, smart materials, and power electronics. looking ahead, his work promises breakthroughs in bio-integrated sensors, wearable batteries, and sustainable energy solutions, further driving india’s capabilities in strategic materials and green technologies.

Notable Publications

Title: Distorted 2H/1T MoS₂ nanostructures with improved field emission and sodium-ion battery performance
Author(s): Ujjwala P. Chothe, Priyanka R. Sumbe, Mahendra A. More, Milind V. Kulkarni, Bharat Bhanudas Kale
Journal: Nanoscale Advances (2025)
Title: Self-Standing vanadium oxide pillared carbon microfiber film as an excellent anode for lithium & sodium ion batteries
Author(s): Sayali B. Kale, Ujjwala P. Chothe, Kaustav Bhattacharjee, Aakira Fujishima, Suresh W. Gosavi
Journal: Inorganic Chemistry Communications (2024)
Title: Imidazolium Functionalized Copolymer Supported Solvate Ionic Liquid Based Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Lithium Ion Batteries
Author(s): Sahebrao S. More, Rushikesh B. Kale, Poorva J. Ambekar, Milind V. Kulkarni, Bharat Bhanudas Kale
Journal: ACS Applied Polymer Materials (2024)
Title: Interfacial engineering of ZnO–ZnS/rGO nano heterostructures: An efficient photoanode for dye-sensitized solar cell
Author(s): Ranjit S. Kate, Ratna Chauhan, Ujjwala P. Chothe, Bharat Bhanudas Kale, Sanjay Krishnaji Apte
Journal: Materials Chemistry and Physics (2024)
Title: Microstructure tuned Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃@C electrodes toward ultra-long-life sodium-ion batteries
Author(s): Ranjit S. Kate, Kaustav Bhattacharjee, Milind V. Kulkarni, Ramesh J. Deokate, Ramchandra S. Kalubarme
Journal: RSC Advances (2024)

Early academic pursuits 🎓

Wei Qiang embarked on his academic journey with a bachelor’s degree in material forming and control engineering at nanjing university of science and technology under the guidance of professor kehong wang. his dedication to the field of materials science deepened as he pursued a ph.d. in materials science and engineering from the same institution, also supervised by professor wang. during this period, wei honed his expertise in advanced welding technologies, laying the foundation for his future contributions to the discipline.

Professional endeavors 🏫

since april 2018, wei qiang has served as a lecturer at the college of materials science and engineering, xi’an shiyou university. in this role, he combines teaching with cutting-edge research, mentoring the next generation of materials scientists while contributing to advancements in welding and additive manufacturing. his academic career reflects a seamless integration of education and innovation, fostering a collaborative environment for scientific growth.

Contributions and research focus 🔬

Wei qiang’s research focuses on advanced welding processes, particularly in dual heat source and v-shaped coupling welding technologies. his work explores the formation mechanisms, thermal-stress distribution, and process optimization of welding in materials like aluminum alloys. his studies also extend to additive Advanced Materials Engineering manufacturing using gas tungsten arc welding (gta), demonstrating innovative approaches to improve material properties and manufacturing efficiency. through experimental and simulation-based methodologies, his research addresses critical challenges in materials processing.

Accolades and recognition 🏅

Wei’s scholarly contributions are reflected in his publications in renowned journals such as the journal of materials research and technology and journal of Advanced Materials Engineering manufacturing processes. his studies on v-shaped coupling welding and double-sided heat source processes have garnered attention for their innovative approaches and practical implications. his recognition in the field highlights his role as a key contributor to advancements in materials science.

Impact and influence 🌍

through his pioneering research, wei qiang has significantly influenced the field of welding and materials processing. his work on numerical simulations and innovative welding techniques provides valuable insights for industrial applications, particularly in aerospace and automotive sectors. by advancing the Advanced Materials Engineering understanding of welding dynamics, he contributes to the development of sustainable and efficient manufacturing practices.

Legacy and future contributions 🔮

As a researcher and educator, wei qiang is committed to driving innovation in materials science. his ongoing work promises further breakthroughs in welding and additive manufacturing technologies. by mentoring young scientists and expanding the scope of his research, he ensures a lasting impact on the academic and industrial communities. his legacy is rooted in his dedication to solving complex challenges and fostering progress in the field.

Notable Publications

Title: Process characteristics of V-shaped coupling dual GTA-based additive manufacturing
Authors: Qiang, W., Wang, K., Gao, C., Lu, Y., Wen, G.
Journal: Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 2023, 23, pp. 1968–1979
Title: Numerical simulation of T-joint welding with cold wire filling and double heat sources
Authors: Qiang, W., Lu, Y., Yuan, Y., Sun, C.
Journal: Cailiao Kexue yu Gongyi/Material Science and Technology, 2021, 29(5), pp. 57–62
Title: Microstructural analysis and mechanical behavior of TC4 titanium alloy and 304 stainless steel by friction stir lap welding
Authors: Lu, Y., Xu, X., Zhang, B., Cao, J., Li, W.
Journal: Welding in the World, 2021, 65(10), pp. 1915–1930
Title: Forming characteristics and mechanism of double-sided heat source synergic vertical welding on an aluminum alloy
Authors: Qiang, W., Wang, K., Wang, S., Lu, Y., Gao, Q.
Journal: Journal of Manufacturing Processes, 2021, 64, pp. 356–368
Title: Microstructure and wear resistance of TiB2/7075 composites produced via rheocasting
Authors: Gao, Q., Yang, B., Gan, G., Wang, S., Lu, Y.
Journal: Metals, 2020, 10(8), pp. 1–14, 1068