1. RESUME
R. John Felix Kumar
C-1,Viswanathapuram
Kamarajar salai
Mayiladuthurai - 609001
Tamilnadu
# +91 – 9944531779 / felix1976@gmail.Com
Academic Qualification:
 Ph.D. in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of
Technology, Madras, India (July 2013)
 Specialized in materials used for energy devices, polymers, carbon based materials
 Thesis title: “Enhanced Surface properties and Electrochemical durability of Multistage
PTFE treated Gas Diffusion Layers for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cells”
 Research Supervisor: Prof. Prathap Haridoss (IIT Madras)
 M.Tech. in Materials Science, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, India (June
2004)
 Thesis title: Synthesis of oxides and value added materials from slags and Industrial wastes
 Research Supervisor: Prof. S. Raman Sankaranarayanan (NIT, Tiruchirappalli)
 M.Sc., (Chemistry), St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, India (November 1999)
 Project title: Peroxidation of organic compounds in different solvents
 Project Supervisor: Prof. T.V. Antony
Professional Experience:
 Project Officer: (August 2012 – July 2013) in a collaborative project investigated by faculties
of Chemical Engineering and Applied Mechanics Department, IIT Madras.
 Project Title: Bi- Axial Electromechanical characterization of piezzoelectric polymers
 Sponsoring Agency : Aeronautics Research and Development Board, New Delhi
 Project supervisors: Prof. Abhijit. P. Deshpande and Prof.C. Lakshman Rao (IIT Madras)

2.  As a part of the project I extensively studied the temperature effect on deformation behavior
of Polyvinylidene Flouride (PVDF) material under static and dynamic loading conditions
 Besides, I have experience as teaching faculty in the field of Materials science, Corrosion
Engineering and Non Destructive testing and failure analysis. Currently I am working as
teaching faculty in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department, National Institute of
Technology, Tiruchirappalli.
Characterization Techniques known:
 Exposure in Cyclic Voltammetry, Impedance Spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,
FTIR, TGA-DSC, SEM, XRD, contact angle measurement and Non Destructive Techniques.
Projects:
1. Title: “Enhanced Surface properties and Electrochemical durability of Multistage PTFE
treated Gas Diffusion Layers for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cells” (2007-2012)
 Accelerated degradation tests on carbon based gas diffusion layers (GDL) were conducted
to study the durability of gas diffusion layers under PEM Fuel cell conditions
 Surface chemistry changes on gas diffusion layers due to carbon corrosion and resulting
hydrophobicity loss was studied
 Role of PTFE on durability of gas diffusion layers and their degradation behavior were
studied under PEM Fuel cell conditions
 Developed a novel approach of multiple stages of PTFE treatment for gas diffusion layers as
opposed to conventional single stage PTFE treatment to establish hydrophobicity gradients
across the structure of gas diffusion layers
 The lifetime of the existing gas diffusion layers for PEM fuel cells was increased by
enhancing their surface hydrophobicity and electrochemical durability by modified
approach of multiple stages of PTFE treatment
2. Title: Synthesis of oxides and value added materials from slags and Industrial wastes
(2003 - 2004)
 Proposed a design for mini pilot plant for recovering ferrite grade iron oxides and glasses
from slags and wastes through techno - economic study as per the basis of experiments
conducted at the laboratory level at NIT, Tiruchirapalli
3. Title: Oxidation of aromatic compounds by per benzoic acid in different solvents (6 months)
 The oxidation of benzyl alcohol, acetophenone, benzophenone and toluene in different
solvents was analyzed using thin layer chromatography
Positions of Responsibility:
 L- Corporal in NCC (1991-1992)

3.  Vice-Chairman, Material Advantage – Indian Institute of Metals- Chennai (2008-2009)
Publications:
1. Effect of Electrochemical aging on the interaction between Gas Diffusion Layers and the Flow
Field in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cell, John Felix Kumar R, V. Radhakrishnan, and
Prathap Haridoss, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 36, 2011, 7207-7211
2. Enhanced mechanical and electrochemical durability of multistage PTFE treated gas diffusion
ilayers for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, John Felix Kumar R, V. Radhakrishnan and
Prathap Haridoss, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 37, 2012, 10830-10835
3. Improved Surface Properties Of Al 2024 Based Surface Hybrid Composites By Friction Stir Processing,
P. Muthukumar, Mebin T Kuruvilla, R.John Felix Kumar and S. Jerome, ICMDM 2016, Anna
University, Chennai-36
4. Cold Metal Transfer And Riveted Joint Strength On AA2024 Aircraft Sheets, S. Prakash, L.
Gopinath, S. Jerome and R. John Felix Kumar, LAMSYS 2016, ISRO,Srihrikotta
5. Temperature dependent deformation of PVDF under uniaxial extension, John Felix kumar R,
Akilesan, Abhijit P Deshpande, Susy Varughese and Lakshman Rao, INCAM 2013, IIT Madras
6. Durability assessment of PVA/SSA membranes using peroxide permeation rate”, John
Felixkumar R, P Kanakasabai, Abhijit P Deshpande, Susy Varughese and Prathap Haridoss,
FUCETECH 2009, Mumbai
7. Electrochemical aging of carbon cloth gas diffusion layer under simulated PEMFC
environment”, John Felix Kumar R and Prathap Haridoss, ISAEST 2010, Chennai
8. Durability of S-PEEK and blended membranes under humidity cycling”, John Felix Kumar R
and Prathap Haridoss, ISRS 2010, IIT Madras, Chennai
9. Development of Metal – Ceramic alloy coatings on AISI 1045 by Laser Processing”.
Jagdeesh.R, Kamachi Mudali.U, Balasubramanian,K.R, John Felix Kumar. R and Nath.A.K,
Fifth DAEBRNS National Laser Symposium (NLS-5), Dec 7-10, 2005, Vellore Institute of
Technology,Vellore, India
10. Value added oxides from metallurgical wastes”, John Felix Kumar R and Raman
Sankaranarayanan S, Presented at the 42nd National Metallurgists Day, 58th Annual
Technical Meeting of the Indian Institute of Metals, Tiruvananthapuram, November 17 – 19,
2004

4. Co-Curricular Activities:
 Conducted school outreach programme through Material Advantage association in 2008
to create awareness about metallurgy and materials science among school students in
Chennai
 Conducted open house programme during IIT Madras annual technical festival SAASTRA
2008 to exhibit fuel cell system and functions
Objective:
 To focus research on materials for the near future
References:
1. Prof. Prathap Haridoss
Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering,
Indian Institute of Technology Madras,
Chennai – 36.
044 – 22574771
prathap@iitm.ac.in
2. Prof. P. Abhijit Deshpande
Department of Chemical Engineering,
Indian Institute of Technology Madras,
Chennai – 36.
044 – 22574169
abhijit@iitm.ac.in
3. Dr. Susy Varughese
Associate Professor,
Department of Chemical Engineering,
Indian Institute of Technology Madras,
Chennai – 36.
044 – 22574172
susy@iitm.ac.in