Avijit Karmakar earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering (ME) in 2013 from the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology Shibpur and his master’s degree in ME in 2015 from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. In 2021, he received his PhD in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology. He is now completing a postdoctoral research post at Purdue University, where his work has elucidated the first connection between degradation mechanisms and thermal management strategies for lithium-ion batteries. He is also leading a project to chart the mechanisms of thermal instability in next-generation batteries, including sodium-ion and solid-state architectures. He has published in 11 peer-reviewed journals, presented at seven conferences, and is a peer reviewer of 10 esteemed journals. The thrusts of his future research include the development of a safety framework for next-generation battery systems and battery thermal management solutions under operational extremes. At Purdue, he has judged posters and presentations, providing an opportunity for him to engage with students from diverse backgrounds. His teaching philosophy revolves around building an inclusive and interactive learning environment that empowers students to become critical thinkers, problem solvers, and lifelong learners. With student success in mind, Karmakar intends to pursue industry collaborations, interdisciplinary research, and personalized guidance.

Research Interests

Battery Thermal Safety, Heat Transfer, Multiphase Flows