Mohammad Ansar Vakkattil | Advanced Materials Engineering | Cross-disciplinary Excellence Award
Mr Mohammad Ansar Vakkattil, FHNW, India
Mr. Mohammad Ansar Vakkattil is a dynamic interdisciplinary researcher whose work bridges polymer science, biomedical engineering, and 3D bioprinting. With a solid foundation in Rubber and Polymer Technology from premier Indian institutions like IIT Kharagpur and CUSAT, he has contributed significantly to intelligent materials, medical devices, and bioremediation. His roles as Senior Project Engineer at SCTIMST and researcher at institutions in Switzerland and Estonia reflect his global engagement. His pioneering work on smart materials and 3D-printed implantables, like cranioplasty scaffolds, showcases his innovation at the intersection of healthcare, materials science, and sustainability. With a flair for EU grant writing and multilingual expertise, he embodies the spirit of collaborative, cross-domain research. Through academic supervision, teaching, and publication, Mr. Vakkattil continues to inspire a new generation of material scientists and bioengineers worldwide.
Publication Profile
Education
Mr. Ansar earned his M.Tech in Rubber Technology from the Rubber Technology Centre, IIT Kharagpur, with a CGPA of 8.02/10, supported by a prestigious GATE scholarship. His thesis focused on castor oil extended epoxidised natural rubber, emphasizing sustainable material innovation. He completed his B.Tech in Polymer Science and Engineering from Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) with a CGPA of 7.23/10. His academic projects and thesis explored topics such as SBR-tire compounds and mechanical properties of latex films, grounding him in applied polymer engineering. Further technical training at the Indian Rubber Board and multiple industrial internships enriched his hands-on expertise in polymer processing, rubber compounding, and materials testing. His academic journey reflects not only intellectual merit but also a strategic focus on sustainable, biomedical, and smart material innovations.
Experience
Mr. Ansar’s professional experience reflects a blend of academic research and applied engineering. He served as a Senior Project Engineer at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, where he contributed to the development of Parylene coatings for implantable medical devices. At the University of Tartu and University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland, he specialized in 3D printing of artificial muscles and bioprinting for bioremediation. His skills span FDM, SLA, electrospinning, ceramic nanoparticles, and hydrogel synthesis. In addition to his lab work, he has acted as a supervisor, educator, and EU project contributor. His roles demonstrate advanced proficiency in additive manufacturing, smart biomaterials, and digital fabrication—key areas shaping future biomedical and environmental technologies.
Awards and Honors
Mr. Ansar’s academic and professional excellence has been consistently recognized. He was awarded the GATE Masters Scholarship (2016–2018) and achieved an All India Rank of 32 in the GATE Polymer Science and Material Science category. He was the Runner-Up in the Brand D Management Competition during Spring Fest at IIT Kharagpur in 2017. He has also earned accolades for multiple poster presentations, including on biomedical coatings and sustainable rubber materials, at IRMRA and other prestigious platforms. These honors underscore his creativity, technical acumen, and capacity to translate theoretical knowledge into impactful innovations. His teaching merits and development of study materials for GATE aspirants further reflect his commitment to academic excellence and mentorship in polymer sciences.
Research Focus
Mr. Ansar’s research focuses on intelligent materials, additive manufacturing (3D printing), and biomaterials for medical and environmental applications. His work integrates polymer science, smart textiles, hydrogel-based systems, electrospun materials, and bioprinting technologies for creating actuators, biomedical implants, and sustainable filtration systems. Notably, he has investigated bioprinting for bioremediation, parylene coatings for implants, and artificial muscles using FDM and photopolymer techniques. His interdisciplinary approach, combining biopolymer engineering, chemical vapor deposition, and cytocompatibility testing, has led to novel insights in the development of responsive materials and devices. His goal is to bridge the gap between ecological sustainability and human health by advancing customizable, low-impact technologies in the polymer and medical materials domain.