Vibhav Ambardekar

Experienced Thermal Spray Processing Researcher with a strong background in coating deposition, robotics, parameter development, metallography, data analysis, and interpretation. Skilled in fabricating and testing metal oxide gas sensors, possessing a deep understanding of their properties and applications. Proficient in materials characterization techniques such as SEM and XRD. Committed to delivering high-quality research and contributing to advancements in the field.

• Scanning electron microscopy for microstructural observation of thermal sprayed coatings
• Use of ImageJ program to analyze porosity in thermal sprayed coatings
• Use of forward looking infrared camera (FLIR), pyrometer to measure substrate temperatures during thermal spraying
• Use of commercial sensors Spraywatch and Accuraspray for in flight particle diagnostics during thermal spraying
• Use of in-situ coating property sensor, Plumeopt (particle injection optimization) and in-situ thickness sensors during thermal spraying, ex situ coating property sensor post thermal spraying
• Use of commercially available softwares/programs for graphing and data analysis like Microsoft Excel, Origin 9, and Matlab

• Autodesk Inventor
• ImageJ
• X'Pert Highscore Plus
• Microsoft Excel
• Origin 9
• Matlab
• Microsoft Office Power BI Desktop
• Python Programming

• Gas Permeability Assessment of Thermal Sprayed Coatings
• Investigation of the Effect of Sealant on the Mechanical Properties of Ceramic Coatings
• Plasma Sprayed Thermocouple Sensor for Harsh Environments

• Parameter development for plasma spraying of different powders using Mach 1 and subsonic nozzle for SG100 gun, HVOF spraying (DJ2600 gun), use of robotics in coating formation to achieve repeatability
• Characterization of coating (cross sectional and surface morphology using scanning electron microscopy), elastic modulus measurement (impulse excitation and ex-situ coating property sensor)
• In situ diagnostics using in-situ coating property sensor (ICP), Plumeopt sensor (particle injection optimization), in-situ thickness sensor (IST)
• Testing of free standing ceramic coatings for elastic modulus, bend strength, fracture toughness, thermal conductivity for developing process maps
• Application of sealant to improving properties of flame sprayed coatings

• Hands-on experience in coating deposition using powder flame spray, atmospheric plasma spray, and high velocity oxy fuel spray
• Supported in cold spray deposition of different powders (stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and nickel)
• Hands on experience to maintain plasma guns, namely, Metco 9 MB and PraxairSG100
• Hands-on experience in processing of powder feedstocks to make them flowable
• Hands-on experience in metallography including sectioning, polishing and microstructural observation
• Experience in scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation, phase identification using X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface roughness measurements, microhardness measurements, abrasion, erosion wear tests
• Manufacturing and machining of composite material
• Testing of ceramic coating in terms of elastic modulus, flexural strength, notch toughness and thermal conductivity for developing process maps
• Use of sealant to improve mechanical properties of flame sprayed ceramic coatings
• Development of fixture for gluing samples for tensile adhesion test
• Qualification tests for thermal sprayed coatings
• Use of thermal spray method to fabricate metal oxide layers as gas sensors and catalysts

• Plasma sprayed CuO coatings for gas sensing and catalytic conversion applications, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 331, 2021, 10.1016/j.snb.2020.129404
• Understanding on the ethanol sensing mechanism of atmospheric plasma sprayed 25 wt. % WO3-75 wt. % SnO2 coating, Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 290, 2019, 10.1016/j.snb.2019.04.003
• Understanding on the hydrogen detection of plasma sprayed tin oxide/tungsten oxide (SnO2/WO3) sensor, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 47, 33, 2022, 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.03.005