Assistant Professor at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge of Technologies-RK Valley (AP-IIIT RK Valley), India
Dr. Priyanka Sahu is an accomplished academic and researcher, currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (AP-IIIT), Idupulapaya, Andhra Pradesh. With a solid foundation in Physics and Astronomy (Materials Science), she holds an M.Tech degree from NIT Rourkela and a Ph.D. from IIT Indore. Her research focuses on the development of high entropy alloys and soft magnetic materials, with expertise in experimental methodologies such as sol-gel auto-combustion and mechanical alloying. Dr. Sahu has published numerous high-impact papers, presented at international conferences, and received prestigious accolades like the Best Researcher Award and Best Oral Presentation. She is a passionate educator and an innovative thinker, contributing significantly to both research and academia.
Profile:
Education
Dr. Priyanka Sahu has pursued an impressive academic journey, earning her Ph.D. in Materials Science from the Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IITI) in 2023, where her dissertation focused on developing and characterizing high-entropy soft magnetic alloys. She holds an M.Tech (Research) degree in Physics and Astronomy with a specialization in Materials Science from the National Institute of Technology Rourkela (NITR) in 2017, during which she studied the electrical and magnetic properties of modified strontium hexaferrite. Prior to this, she completed her Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Telecommunication at the Government Engineering College Bilaspur in 2014, following a diploma in the same discipline from the Government Polytechnic College Ambikapur in 2011. Throughout her academic journey, Dr. Sahu has consistently maintained high honors and distinctions, showcasing her dedication to research and learning.
Professional experience
Dr. Priyanka Sahu has accumulated diverse teaching and research experience. She is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (AP-IIIT), Idupulapaya, Andhra Pradesh, since March 2024. Prior to this, Dr. Sahu worked as a Teaching Assistant and researcher at IIT Indore from 2017 to 2023, during which she handled multiple labs and courses related to physical metallurgy and material science. Her research experience also includes working at NIT Rourkela in a Physics Laboratory. Dr. Sahu has expertise in handling various high-end instruments such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), which are crucial in material characterization. She has also participated in numerous national and international conferences as a presenter and invited speaker, furthering her knowledge and sharing insights into her specialized research areas.
Research focus
Dr. Priyanka Sahu’s research is centered around the development of advanced materials, particularly high-entropy alloys (HEAs), soft magnetic materials, and magnetocaloric materials. Her work explores novel synthesis methods, including mechanical alloying and sol-gel auto-combustion, to develop new materials with superior thermal, magnetic, and electrical properties. Dr. Sahu has extensively studied the microstructural and magnetic behaviors of multi-component alloys, investigating the influence of elements like Si and Mn on phase evolution and magnetic properties. She also focuses on thermodynamic modeling using Redlich-Kister formalism and Miedema’s semi-empirical models for predicting phase formations in these alloys. Her research aims to apply theoretical models to experimental data for better material characterization, especially in high-entropy amorphous alloys. Dr. Sahu’s work is highly interdisciplinary, impacting fields like nanotechnology, metallurgy, and condensed matter physics.
Award and Recognition
Dr. Priyanka Sahu has received numerous accolades throughout her academic and professional career. She was awarded the prestigious “Best Researcher Award” at the 16th edition of International Research Awards in Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics in 2024. Her outstanding oral presentation in the “Progress in Metallurgy & Materials (ISPMM-2023)” at IIT Indore earned her a Best Oral Presentation award. Additionally, she secured the 1st runner-up spot in poster presentation during the Research and Industrial Conclave (RIC-2023) at IIT Indore. Dr. Sahu has also received multiple honorariums for her contributions to various programs such as the QIP program at IIT Indore and TEQIP-III in 2018. She was recognized for her early academic excellence with a merit scholarship at Government Polytechnic College Ambikapur, and she ranked 1st in class during her diploma years. These honors reflect her commitment to research and academia.
Publication Top Notes:
- Synthesis and characterization of hydrogenated novel AlCrFeMnNiW high entropy alloy
✍️ SK Dewangan, VK Sharma, P Sahu, V Kumar
📘 International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 45(34), 16984-16991, 2020, cited 62 times
- Investigating the effect of multiple grain–grain interfaces on electric and magnetic properties of [50 wt% BaFe12O19–50 wt% Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3] composite system
✍️ R Pattanayak, R Muduli, RK Panda, T Dash, P Sahu, S Raut, S Panigrahi
📘 Physica B: Condensed Matter, 485, 67-77, 2016, cited 42 times
- Microstructure and magnetic behavior of FeCoNi (Mn–Si) x (x= 0.5, 0.75, 1.0) high-entropy alloys
✍️ P Sahu, S Solanki, S Dewangan, V Kumar
📘 Journal of Materials Research, 34(5), 829-840, 2019, cited 30 times
- Dielectric, ferroelectric and impedance spectroscopic studies in TiO2-doped AgNbO3 ceramic
✍️ R Muduli, R Pattanayak, S Raut, P Sahu, V Senthil, S Rath, P Kumar, …
📘 Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 664, 715-725, 2016, cited 21 times
- Effect of grain size on electric transport and magnetic behavior of strontium hexaferrite (SrFe12O19)
✍️ P Sahu, SN Tripathy, R Pattanayak, R Muduli, N Mohapatra, S Panigrahi
📘 Applied Physics A, 123, 1-10, 2017, cited 15 times
- Microstructural, magnetic, and geometrical thermodynamic investigation of FeCoNi (MnSi) x (0.0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0) high entropy alloys
✍️ P Sahu, S Samal, V Kumar
📘 Materialia, 18, 101133, 2021, cited 7 times
- Impact of Si and Mg on Microstructural and Magnetic Behavior of Fe-Co-Ni (Mg-Si)x (x = 0.00,0.1,0.2) Multicomponent Alloys
✍️ P Sahu, AS Bagri, MD Anoop, M Kumar, V Kumar
📘 Silicon, 12, 893-902, 2020, cited 7 times
- Microstructural, magnetic, and geometrical thermodynamic investigation of FeCoNi (MnSi) x (0.0, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0) high entropy alloys
✍️ P Sahu, S Samal, V Kumar
📘 Materialia, 18, 101133, Patent NO
- Microstructure, Non-isothermal Crystallization Kinetics and Magnetic Behaviour Study of [FeCoNi100-x(SiMn)x] High Entropy Amorphous Alloys Synthesized by …
✍️ P Sahu, S Samal, V Kumar
📘 Metals and Materials International, 29(9), 2684-2709, 2023, cited 3 times
- Phase Evolution and Soft Magnetic Behavior of Mechanically Alloyed Fe–Co–Ni Medium Entropy Alloy at Different Disk Angular Velocity
✍️ P Sahu, S Samal, V Kumar
📘 Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals, 76(11), 3065-3078, 2023, cited 2 times
- Investigation of the structural, electrical, and magnetic behavior of Co3+-Ti4+ doped strontium hexaferrite: validation of measured and theoretical models
✍️ P Sahu, PK Sahu, S Panigrahi
📘 Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics, 35(10), 709, 2024, cited 1 time
- Influence of Si and Mn on the Phase Formation, Crystallization Kinetics, and Enhanced Magnetic Properties of Mechanically Alloyed NiCoFe(SiMn)x High Entropy …
✍️ P Sahu, S Samal, V Kumar
📘 Silicon, 15(12), 5367-5392, 2023, cited 1 time
- An assessment of the mechanically alloyed equiatomic FeCoNiMnSi high entropy amorphous alloy for non-isothermal crystallization kinetics and magnetocaloric refrigeration …
✍️ P Sahu, S Samal, V Kumar
📘 Materials Characterization, 216, 114269, 2024
Conclusion
Overall, Dr. Priyanka Sahu is a well-rounded researcher with a solid background in materials science, excellent technical skills, a significant publication record, and previous awards. Her contributions to the field of high entropy alloys and magnetocaloric materials are impressive and impactful. While focusing on securing research funding and pursuing interdisciplinary research could enhance her profile further, she is undoubtedly a deserving candidate for the “Best Researcher Award.”