Reactive & Energetic Metal Powders
Ultrasonically atomized Al-based alloy powders with tunable ignition and combustion — including recycled Al-alloy powders engineered to generate green hydrogen on demand.
IIT Kharagpur · Metallurgical & Materials Engineering
Microstructure as the design variable.
The Chetan Singh Research Group engineers metallic materials by controlling microstructure across length scales — bridging synthesis, thermomechanical processing, and advanced characterization to enable reliable performance from implants to extreme environments.
About the group
From atoms to applications.
We design metallic materials by understanding and controlling microstructure — from atomic-scale defects to grain-level architecture. Our research spans reactive Al-based alloy powders engineered for tunable energetic performance and on-demand green hydrogen, the mechanical behavior of metals at ultracryogenic temperatures down to 15 K, and lightweight Mg and Al alloys for biodegradable implants and structural use.
Across all programs, correlative characterization — SEM/EBSD, TEM, FIB, and in-situ mechanical and thermal testing — provides the mechanistic link between processing decisions and real-world performance.
Research themes
Three research programs
Ultracryogenic & Extreme Mechanics
Mechanical behavior of structural alloys down to 15 K — fatigue, hydrogen embrittlement, and deformation in austenitic steels, Al, and Ti alloys.
Lightweight Metallic Materials
Mg and Al alloys with engineered microstructures — including biodegradable Mg–Ca–Sc implants with a corrosion rate 90% lower than benchmark alloys.
Latest news
Recent updates
2026–PresentRecruiting
Recruiting PhD Students and Project Students
The group is actively seeking motivated PhD students (GATE/NET qualified) and B.Tech/M.Tech project students. Interested candidates should send a CV and brief statement of interest to chetan@metal.iitkgp.ac.in.
Jun 2026Position
Joined IIT Kharagpur as Assistant Professor
Dr. Chetan Singh joins the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at IIT Kharagpur as an Assistant Professor. He also continues as a Whiting Fellow at the Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute, Johns Hopkins University.
Mar 2026Award
Best Presentation Award — DTRA / ATR Meeting
Dr. Singh received the Best Presentation Award, recognized by the Acting Director of the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Maj. Gen. Lyle K. Drew, for outstanding research on reactive metal powders at the Materials Science in Extreme Environments URA, ATR meeting. Also received the Director's Challenge Coin.
Interested in joining the group?
Applications from motivated students in Metallurgical Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, and related disciplines are welcome.