Professor Esther Titilayo Akinlabi is a Full Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. She has had the privilege to serve as a Head of Department of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Science and as the Vice Dean for Teaching and Learning at the University of Johannesburg. Her research interest is in the field of modern and advanced manufacturing processes – Friction stir welding and additive manufacturing. Her research in the field of laser based additive manufacturing includes laser material processing and surface engineering. She also conducts research in the field of renewable energy, and biogas production from waste. She is a rated National Research Foundation (NRF) researcher and has demonstrated excellence in all fields of endeavors. Her leadership, mentorship and research experience is enviable as she guides her team of postgraduate students throughthe research journey. She is a recipient of several research grants and has received many awards of recognition to her credit. She is a member of the prestigious South African Young Academy of Science and registered with the Engineering Council of South Africa. Prof Akinlabi has filed two patents, edited two books, published five books and authored/co-authored over 400 peer-reviewed publications. Dr. M. Selvaraj, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at SSN College of Engineering has over 20 years of teaching experience. He did his B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Madurai Kamaraj University, M.E. in Engineering Design from Government College Technology, Coimbatore and Ph.D. from Anna University, Chennai. His research areas are mechanical vibrations, composites and modeling of friction stir welding. He has authored 14 papers in journals of national and international repute and presented over 20 papers in various conferences. He is a member of Indian Society of Technical Education (ISTE) and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).Dr. Ramkumar Penchaliah is currently working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering in IIT Madras. Prior to coming to IIT Madras, he was an Associate Professor at SSN College of Engineering, Chennai. Dr. Ramkumar received his B.E in Mechanical Engineering from College of Engineering, Guindy, Anna University and his M.Tech (Industrial Tribology) from IIT Madras. He obtained his Ph.D. (2003-07) from University of Southampton with specialisation of Engine Tribology, UK and did his post-doctoral fellowship in University of Leicester (2009-10), UK for developing high speed Cam-Tappet tribometer Rig. He has 14 years research experience in the field of tribology and engine tribology. He won the best presentation award for his PhD from IMechE, London, UK in 2005. His primary research interests are in the field of tribology, engine tribology, gearbox design, wind turbine gearbox bearing failures, biotribology, multilayer coatings, ionic fluids, wear modelling and developing new composite materials for brake applications. He has published more than 20 papers in peer-reviewed journals and 40 international conference proceedings including 1 patent as well. As sole PI, he has received two research grants with total worth of US $1.4M, while as Co-PI US $ 14M from DST. Currently, he is handling a lot of consultancy projects from GE, Caterpillar, Rane, Ford, Kone Elevator and L&T. In his supervision 3 MS scholars and 14 M. Tech. students were graduated and currently he is supervising 8 Ph.D., 5 MS research scholars, 2 project associates, 1 JRF and 2 M.Tech. degrees students. He is a member in IMechE, IoP, STLE, and life time member in TSI. He is reviewer to various top journals including Applied Surface Science, Mechanism and Machine Theory, Part J : Journal of Engineering Tribology, Surface Coatingsand Technology, Tribology International, Tribology Letters, Wear, etc.
