1. Boron Nitride Nanotubes Based Composite Materials Research at Florida International University
Arvind Agarwal
Professor, Mechanical and Materials Engineering
Associate Dean for Research
College of Engineering and Computing
Florida International University
Miami, FL 33174

2. About Myself Research Interests Professional Preparation
Nanotube and Graphene based Composites and Coatings
Thermal Spray (Plasma Spray, Cold Spray)
Spark Plasma Sintering
Nanoindentation and Nanomechanics
Tribology
Near Net Shape Processing and Additive Manufacturing
Professional Preparation
PhD: University of Tennessee, Knoxville Materials Science & Eng. 1999
BS: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, India, 1993
Professional Experience
: Materials Scientist, Plasma Processes Inc., Huntsville, AL
: Assistant Professor, Mech. & Mater. Eng., FIU
: Associate Professor, Mech. & Mater. Eng., FIU
2011-onward: Professor, Mech. & Mater. Eng., FIU
2012-onward: Director, Advanced Materials Engineering Research Institute (AMERI), FIU
2015 onward: Associate Dean for Research, College of Engineering and Computing, FIU
2012: Elected Fellow of ASM International (FASM)
Research Publication Summary
More than 200 Peer-reviewed journal articles
2 Co-authored books and 6 Edited-books
Several book chapters and conference proceeding articles
150 Conference presentations

3. About My Project and Relevancy to Navy
Objective: The overall goal is to develop lightweight, high-strength titanium matrix composites reinforced with “long” ( µm) Boron Nitride Nanotubes (BNNTs) using spark plasma sintering.
BNNT has excellent mechanical properties
Elastic Modulus > 1 TPa
Tensile Strength > 60 GPa
Excellent thermal stability: Can resist oxidation up to 1000°C
Processing
Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) to develop lightweight, high-strength Ti-BNNT composites
Microstructure engineering to optimize mechanical properties
Multi-scale Mechanics of Nanocomposites
Multi-scale mechanical investigation to understand interfacial stress-transfer in BNNT-MMC
In situ investigation to gain insight into deformation of constituent microstructural phases
Naval Relevance
Structural materials, Bulk nanostructured materials, Composite materials (ONR 332-Naval Materials)
BNNT reinforced Ti composites: high strength and corrosion resistant pump impellers.
Lightweight-high toughness armor tiles reinforced with BNNT
Polymer-BNNT for nuclear shielding due to high neutron absorption cross-section of Boron and Nitrogen
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4. Why was my proposal successful?
Read white paper and proposal preparation instructions very carefully.
Address the feedback provided by the Program officer during white paper review.
Address every question which is asked in the proposal solicitation.
Address Naval relevance
Collaborative nature of work with other ONR funded researchers (e.g. Hampton University in this case).
Past research record in the field.
Availability of research tools and equipment at my university
How will students benefit from the proposed research?

5. Questions and Comments?