Dr. C. Bhagyanathan

Faculty Description

Dr. C. Bhagyanathan is currently the Associate Dean - Research & Development and Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Coimbatore. With over 21 years of experience in teaching, research, and industry, he is specialized in Engineering Materials, Manufacturing Aluminium Alloys and Recycling, Dross Recycling, Surface Engineering, Nano-Coatings, and Sustainable Manufacturing Technologies.

He holds his Ph.D. in Welding and Nano-Coating of valve seat rings from Anna University, and an M.E. in Production Engineering from PSG College of Technology, where he worked on a project for Dynamic Generative Computer Aided Process Planning at DRDL, Hyderabad. His core research areas include the development of metal matrix composites, corrosion and wear studies, advanced joining techniques, and waste-to-resource metallurgical processes.

He has led a series of nationally significant projects with total government and private funded research project grants of around ₹6 crores, supported by DST, Ministry of Mines, DRDO, AICTE, CSIR, etc. Notable initiatives include the development of AI-based systems for aluminium scrap sorting, hybrid pyro-hydrometallurgical methods for extracting alumina and copper from dross, and Fe-reduction strategies tailored for secondary aluminium alloy producers. These projects reflect a focus on enabling scalable, energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable metal recovery solutions.

In addition to project leadership, he actively collaborates with several industrial organisations, including leading aluminium recycling industries in India. His consultancy work addresses process optimization in recycling operations, dross heat utilization, alloy enhancement, and defect reduction, contributing significantly to industrial process innovation, especially within small and medium-scale enterprises.

His intellectual contributions include nine patent filings (three granted) and over 40 peer-reviewed journal publications in areas such as advanced materials, catalytic alumina synthesis, and composite coatings. As a Ph.D. supervisor, he has mentored four research scholars who have submitted their thesis in cutting-edge topics aligned with circular economy goals. He has also been an invited speaker at national programs organized by DST-WMT, JNARDDC, and VNIT, and has conducted workshops and seminars under CSIR and DRDO funding.

In his current role, he aims to expand the institution’s research ecosystem through interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation-driven project incubation, and strategic industry partnerships. His long-term vision is to position SREC as a national centre of excellence in sustainable metallurgical technologies, materials circularity, and intelligent manufacturing systems.