Dr. K. Bhanu Sankara Rao, Ministry of Steel Chair Professor, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, has been selected to receive the prestigious Platinum Medal Award from The Indian Institute of Metals for his meritorious accomplishments in Metallurgical Engineering. He will be honoured with this award on National Metallurgists Day to be held at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur on 14th November 2016. Dr. Bhanu Sankara Rao has been the Dean of School of Engineering Sciences and Technology at University of Hyderabad (UoH).
Dr. Rao has been pursuing active research over the last four decades in the areas of Materials Development, Structure-Property Correlations, Mechanical Behaviour, Materials Joining and Nano-Science and Technology. During his tenure (1977-2009) as Scientific Officer in DAE at IGCAR Kalpakkam, he has made outstanding research contributions towards development and characterization of structural, core and steam generator materials of interest towards advancement of Fast Breeder Reactor technology in India. His sustained research contributions have resulted in the development of nitrogen alloyed stainless steels for structural components, improved versions of Titanium modified 316 stainless steels and Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Ferritic-Martensitic Steel clad tubes for FBRs.
He played a pivotal role in the development of Indian reduced activation ferritic-martensitic steel meeting very stringent chemical composition for the Test Blanket Module of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor. He is currently associated with the development of advanced welding technologies for reduced activation steels, high strength bianetic steels and Dual phase steels of current interest in automotive applications.
He achieved phenomenal success in the development of human resources for Metallurgical and Materials Engineering profession. His untiring efforts as Professor and Dean (2009-2012) led to establishment of the School of Engineering Sciences and Technology at University of Hyderabad. Under his leadership, this Central University has established excellent credentials for post graduate education and oriented basic research in Materials Engineering and Nano Science and Technology. As Ministry of Steel Chair Professor at MGIT (2013-2016), he is actively engaged in mentoring teachers as well as undergraduate students in conducting high quality research work on steels and development of human resources for the iron and steel industry. He has published more than 400 research papers in International journals and conference proceedings. His wife Mrs. Sujata has been the Head of the Department of Physics at JMJ College, Tenali. He was born in Bezathpuram village, in Guntur District.
He can be reached on mbl: 9493330125 or email: kota.bhanu@gmail.com