Dr. B. S. Sugun is currently a Senior Principal Scientist at the Center for Societal Missions and Special Technologies (CSMST), CSIR – National Aerospace Laboratories at Bengaluru. He has an interdisciplinary background with a Bachelor’s & Master’s degree in Textiles Technology coupled with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. He has been working in the area of polymer matrix composites research for the past two decades. Some of his early works were on Low velocity impact behavior of Polymer Matrix composites, resin transfer molding, fiber metal laminates & glass-knit composites. In the last decade, he has focused on the technology of 3D weaving. His research work revolves around evolving novel concepts for indigenous 3D weaving machinery, Near-net preforming approaches and developing creative weave designs for engineering the preforms for use in composites. His recent endeavors comprises of developing a prototype machine for dual plane sheddingbased 3D weaving wherein basic concepts of the technology have been practically realised, development of an automated customised take-up-at-will 24 shaft dobby loom, utilizing pleat weaving concept for weaving T-stiffeners, development of hybrid carbon-Kevlar preform for fuselage wing joint of Micro air vehicle and weaving complex geometrical shapes using 3D noobed and angle interlock weave architectures ex., gas turbine engine nozzle flap. He was a Raman research fellow at the University of Manchester, UK in 2015, where he worked on addressing fiber lay-up schemes for rotational symmetric components using robotics approach and also worked towards the development of specific Profiles for applications in composites using three dimensional braiding. He has several peer reviewed publications, conference papers & has delivered several invited talks. With participation from a private industry within the country, he is currently developing a commercially viable, production version multi weft insertion 3D weaving loom for use in textile industries. He is currently associated with the Quality Assurance and Airworthiness activities of NAL in addition to his research works at CSMST.
