ABSTRACT

The talk will focus on various innovations that have come about in the surface solutions industry including Abrasives, Composites and Adhesives. Various specific innovations will be presented, along with their associated scientific nuances. The roles of eminent scientists/teachers in explaining and leveraging science & engineering to bring about innovation in abrasives’ processes will be elaborated. A few thoughts about the ‘new world’ of opportunities for advancing surface solutions for next generation manufacturing technologies will be presented.

Although the talk focuses on a specific industry, the role of educators and the science of learning is common to innovation regardless of which industry we are in.  Collaboration between academia and industry will continue to be an essential part of maintaining a culture of innovation for decades to come. We will conclude the discussion by contemplating a simple framework for ‘learning’ and how Industry-Academia can solve bigger problems together.  

Saint-Gobain was founded by the French king Louis IV in 1665 to make mirrors for the Palace of Versailles.  Today, Saint-Gobain operates in 67 countries with ~ $50B in sales and innovates constantly to improve the daily life of people around the world.  Saint-Gobain Surface Solutions aspires to create solutions to shape, finish, bond and protect surfaces with a commitment to sustainability. Its Abrasives business unit, which originated as the Norton Company (MA) in 1885, has been a leading innovator in the manufacturing field across many sectors.

BIOGRAPHY

Anand Tanikella is currently the Vice President of R&D for Saint-Gobain Surface Solutions based in Massachusetts, USA. He manages teams in 30+ locations worldwide with several hundred team members. Prior to this, Anand was the VP of R&D for Abrasives Business and also the founding Director of Saint-Gobain Research India, the 7th transversal R&D center of the group in Chennai, India adjacent to IIT, Madras.

Anand joined Saint-Gobain in 1996 in USA as a Senior Research Engineer in Saint-Gobain’s North American R&D Center in Northborough, MA.  He held various positions with increasing responsibilities during the past 25 years, conducting breakthrough R&D in technologies related to Ceramics, Abrasives, Plastics and Construction Materials. He is experienced in technology management, bringing out profitable innovations and passionate about influencing the impact of engineering education on industrial innovation.

Anand received a Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering and Precision Engineering from North Carolina State University in 1996; and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Andhra University, India, where he was also the university gold medalist (1st Rank). Anand is also an honoree of NC State University, Engineering Hall of Fame.

Anand’s work has resulted in many successful new businesses. He has authored numerous international journal publications, and holds over 18 patent families with several in process. Throughout his career, he has been active in technology education and was a part time faculty member at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts.