Prakalathan | Polymer Science | Technology Advancement Award

Dr. Prakalathan, Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology, Madurai, India.

Dr. K. Prakalathan

is the Director and Head of CIPET, Madurai. With over 24 years of experience at CIPET across multiple campuses, he is a leading figure in polymer science and technology. His expertise spans polymer composites, biopolymers, and biomedical waste management. An accomplished researcher, Dr. Prakalathan has published in international journals and presented at conferences globally. He has guided numerous postgraduate and doctoral scholars, coordinated 424 workshops, and represented India in international forums on plastics. His educational journey includes M.Sc., M.Tech., and a Ph.D. in Polymer Science.

Publication profile

Orcid

Scopus

Education and Experience

M.Sc. (Chemistry): School of Chemistry, Madurai Kamaraj University
M.Tech. (Polymer Technology): CUSAT, Cochin
Ph.D. (Chemistry – Polymer Science): Utkal University, Bhubaneswar
CIPET Experience: 24 years across Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, and Madurai campuses
Professional Experience:
- Research Associate, Bamboo Board Factory, Kerala (10 months)
- Lecturer, Cochin University of Science and Technology (4 months)
International Visits: Represented India at ISO/TC 61 meetings in South Korea, Japan, and Sweden

Suitability For The Award

Dr. K. Prakalathan, Director and Head of CIPET Madurai, is a trailblazer in polymer science and technology with over 24 years of experience in advancing polymer materials and their applications. His expertise in polymeric materials, biopolymers, composites, and biomedical waste management has driven technological innovation and sustainability. Dr. Prakalathan’s contributions to polymer research, education, and international collaborations make him an ideal candidate for the Technology Advancement Award.

Professional Development

Dr. K. Prakalathan

has an extensive professional development portfolio, including organizing and conducting 424 workshops and courses at CIPET. He has led training sessions on cutting-edge polymeric material technologies and testing methods. A global representative for India in the field of plastics, Dr. Prakalathan has visited countries like the USA, South Korea, Japan, and Sweden for advanced training and international standards discussions. His dedication to education is reflected in mentoring postgraduate and doctoral scholars, fostering innovation and research in polymer science.

Research Focus

Dr. K. Prakalathan’s research interests encompass a wide array of areas within polymer science and technology, focusing on innovative and impactful applications. His work in polymer composites explores advanced material combinations to enhance functionality across industries. He is actively involved in the development of biopolymers, offering sustainable solutions to pressing environmental challenges . His research in biomedical waste management aims to design efficient systems for managing healthcare-related waste, promoting safety and sustainability . Dr. Prakalathan also specializes in polymer blends and alloys, striving to improve material properties for industrial applications , and in polymer processing and testing, advancing characterization techniques for quality assurance and performance optimization . Through his research, he contributes significantly to both scientific innovation and environmental sustainability.

Publications Top Notes

Surface Modification and Engineering of Nanoscale Absorbent and Their Composite – Carbon Nanostructures, 2024, Part F2589, pp. 89–104 – Cited by: 0.
Preparation and Characterization of Shear Thickening Fluid Coated Polypropylene Fabric for Soft Armour Application – Journal of the Textile Institute, 2021, 112(10), pp. 1555–1567 – Cited by: 9.
Development of Hybrid Composites and Joining Technology for Lightweight Structures – Materials Horizons: From Nature to Nanomaterials, 2018, pp. 123–131 – Cited by: 4.
Influence of Transition Metal Ion-Adsorbed Montmorillonite on Polylactic Acid Nanocomposites – Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 2014, 27(12), pp. 1631–1650 – Cited by: 6.
Rheological and Thermomechanical Behaviour of Polylactide/Modified Layered Silicate Nanocomposites – Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 2014, 27(10), pp. 1303–1320 – Cited by: 1.
Reinforcing Effect and Isothermal Crystallization Kinetics of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Nanocomposites – Polymer Composites, 2014, 35(5), pp. 999–1012 – Cited by: 36.
Polylactide/Modified Layered Silicates Nanocomposites: Morphological, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties – Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, 2012, 31(19), pp. 1300–1310 – Cited by: 23.
Polylactide/Transition Metal Ion Modified Montmorillonite Nanocomposite: Mechanical Performance and Thermal Stability – Polymer Composites, 2012, 33(10), pp. 1848–1857 – Cited by: 5.