Assistant Professor Doctorate at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia
Profiles:
🎓Early Academic Pursuits
Suhail Hyder Vattathurvalappil embarked on his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Anna University, India, graduating in June 2011. His passion for aerospace structures and materials led him to pursue a Master of Science in Aerospace Structures at the prestigious Institut supérieur de l’aéronautique et de l’espace (ISAE) in France, where he completed his degree in August 2015. Driven by a desire to delve deeper into materials and structural engineering, Suhail earned his Ph.D. in Materials & Structural Engineering from Michigan State University, USA, in May 2020. His doctoral research focused on advancing materials in pavement engineering, showcasing his commitment to solving real-world engineering problems.
🏢Professional Endeavors
Suhail’s professional career is marked by diverse experiences across academia and industry. He began as an Assistant Design Engineer in the Aerospace Structures Division at DIEHL AIR CABIN & GKN AEROSPACE, CYIENT Ltd., in Bangalore, India, from March 2012 to July 2013. This role provided him with hands-on experience in aerospace structural design, setting a solid foundation for his future research.
In March 2015, Suhail took on a research intern position at AIRBUS, Research & Development, Toulouse, France, where he contributed to cutting-edge aerospace projects. His stint at AIRBUS was followed by a role as a Research Associate at the Composite Vehicle Research Center, Michigan State University, from July 2020 to July 2021, where he worked on advanced materials for civil and environmental engineering applications.
Since August 2021, Suhail has been an Assistant Professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Here, he has been instrumental in developing new courses and labs, advising senior design projects, and mentoring graduate students.
🔬Contributions and Research Focus
Suhail’s research interests span several critical areas in materials and structural engineering. He has made significant contributions to additive manufacturing, developing an epoxy-based 3D printer using a novel technique currently under patent application. His work in lightweight material joining has led to the development of reliable structural joining techniques using electromagnetic induction heating, which facilitates rapid manufacturing without compromising joint strength.
Suhail is also a pioneer in sustainable and multi-functional materials, focusing on stimulus-sensitive epoxy systems and environmentally friendly materials for smart structures through 4D printing. His research extends to the experimental characterization of materials and structures, encompassing thermo-mechanical and electrical properties, and the computational design of materials, where he develops experimentally validated computational models.
🏆Accolades and Recognition
Suhail’s contributions to engineering have been recognized through numerous grants and awards. Notably, he has been awarded significant funding from the Research Development & Innovation Authority for his projects on epoxy-based 3D printing and composite pipe joining technology, each receiving USD 427,000. He also secured SAR 170,000 (USD 45,234) from the Interdisciplinary Research Center – Advanced Materials for his work on adhesives for dissimilar material joining using electromagnetic induction heating.
His work has earned him several accolades, including the second and third prizes of the Science and Technology Progress Award of Hunan Province. At Michigan State University, Suhail received departmental research fellowships in 2016 and 2017 and was awarded the Best Research Paper Award in March 2019 for his work on process monitoring of induction-based adhesively bonded lap-joints.
🌍Impact and Influence
Suhail’s impact extends beyond research and academia. He is an active member of professional organizations such as the American Society of Composites (ASC), Society of Plastic Engineering (SPE), and Saudi Arabian Society for Composite Materials (SASCOM). He serves as a journal reviewer for multiple esteemed publications, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in his field.
His invited lectures at global summits, such as the 2nd Global Summit and Expo on Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering in Dubai and the AeroResCon2023 in Rome, highlight his influence in the international aerospace community.
🌟Legacy and Future Contributions
Suhail’s legacy lies in his innovative research and dedication to advancing materials and structural engineering. His development of new materials and joining techniques promises to revolutionize aerospace and civil engineering industries. As he continues to mentor the next generation of engineers and researchers at KFUPM, his influence will undoubtedly extend through his students’ future contributions.
📖Publications:
- Authors: Rasheed, T., Vattathurvalappil, S.H., Shaukat, M.M., Jaseer, E.A., Imran, M.
- Journal: Sustainable Materials and Technologies
- Year: 2024
- Authors: Makki, T., Vattathurvalappil, S.H., Theravalappil, R., Ummer, A.C., Ali, U.
- Journal: Composites Part C: Open Access
- Year: 2024
- Authors: Vattathurvalappil, S.H., Shaukat, M.M., Theravalappil, R., Shuja, S.Z., Abdelrahman, W.G.
- Journal: Polymers
- Year: 2024
- Authors: Vattathurvalappil, S.H., Theravalappil, R., Aravind, A., Kumar, A.M., Ali, U.
- Journal: Proceedings of the American Society for Composites – 38th Technical Conference, ASC
- Year: 2023
- Authors: Vattathurvalappil, S.H.
- Journal: Proceedings of the American Society for Composites – 38th Technical Conference, ASC
- Year: 2023