Statement of Intent

My purpose in applying for PhD in Mechanical Engineering at Ohio State University is to become
a prominent researcher and educator in the fields of materials and manufacturing.
I have completed my undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering from Khulna University of
Engineering & Technology (KUET) in Bangladesh. During my undergraduate studies, I have worked on two
separate projects on die casting and crack propagation analysis of a thin plate using ANSYS respectively.
In the fall 2012, I came to the University of North Dakota for doing my Masters in Mechanical
Engineering. From my second semester I have started to work with Professor Surojit Gupta on his research
projects.
My MS thesis title is “Novel Sustainable Structural Materials by Using Benign Waste Materials”.
The main goal of the project is to manufacture green cementitious materials from class C fly ash by low
alkali activation. Recently, we have shown that it is possible to make cementitious materials solely from
Class C Fly Ash. In addition to that, we have also made some composites using Ca(OH)2 and LKD as
aggregate. We have characterized our samples by SEM micrograph, XRD, FTIR and TGA/DSC analysis. I
have also worked on CO2 sequestration using Fly Ash based materials which is a part of my thesis work.
As an addition to this work, I am also exploring the methods of making lignin based composites. I have
fabricated the composites of lignin and high density polyethylene (HDPE). Currently, I am characterizing
the samples.
I have also worked on developing a novel method of manufacturing macro porous ceramics by
oxidation induced sintering of porous compacts composed of Titanium powders, and fugitive poreformers
(PE (polyethylene), and Graphite). By using this method, it is possible to fabricate novel porous TiO 2
ceramics over a wide range of porosity at a relatively faster heating rate as compared to conventional
methods.
I have also worked in a project in which I have synthesized materials from epoxy and MAX Phase.
Currently, I am also fabricating composites of HDPE - MAX Phase (Ti3SiC2) and HDPE – Graphene. I have
also worked with the other team members of your research group on developing aluminum-MAX phase
composites and also on the tribological studies. I mostly help them in synthesizing the materials.
Apart from that, I did some graduate project work as to fulfill the requirements of my coursework. I
have fabricated simple composites beam, wrote a program in Matlab to get the theoretical values of their
strength, worked on making a simple robotic device for throwing basketballs, and developed a process
planning for manufacturing pinion shaft. I have a good knowledge on design of experiment, statistical
analysis with Minitab and also have done a project on optimization.
During my two years of graduate studies, I have learnt to design materials and characterize them.
I have worked on sustainable structural materials, porous materials, polymers and MAX Phases. I have
learnt to design experiments using Minitab, fabricating materials and different characterization techniques
e.g. FTIR, XRD, TGA/DSC, SEM analysis. I hope all these experiences will make me a good fit for any
research group works in the field of materials.
We have submitted one patent application and one of our works have been published in a peer
reviewed journal. The list is provided in my CV.
For my PhD, I want to explore the field of high temperature materials. I am mostly interested in
working with MAX Phase for high temperature applications. A group of researchers have also reported that
MAX Phase materials are potential candidates for next generation nuclear reactor applications. So it will be
a wonderful topic to work on during my PhD studies. Additionally, I have a plan to work on developing
cement based materials from volcanic ash and also on polymer matrix composites.
I have contacted with Dr. Marat Khafizov as I found his research work is interesting. I am willing to
work with him on understanding of thermal transport in materials for sustainable energy applications.
However, I can also work with him on developing materials for high temperature applications which is my

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primary research interest. In addition to that, I want to learn about the advanced methods of design of
experiments (DOE) and other statistical methods for data analysis.
Apart from my academic life, I am actively involved with a non-profit organization “Higher Study
Abroad Foundation”. The primary goal of our organization is to serve the prospective students in different
ways so that they can get the proper guidance and help for their higher studies. I work as an Editor in Chief
for that organization. I am also involved with a project named “KUET OCW” which is actually similar kind of
project like MIT Open Course Ware. I have a plan to mentor an online course on “Design of Experiment”
for the undergraduate students which is not being taught in most of the universities.
After my PhD, I want to become a Professor as I believe it will help me to start some academic
based projects for my country. I have a plan to make a web based platform where all the students from
Bangladesh will share about their research ideas and works so that they can network with each other and
have a good exposure. I want to make such a platform so that in future all the professors around the world
will hire students from that network.
Ohio State University is one of the best graduate schools in the world and offer excellent research
opportunities for doing research in different fields of Mechanical Engineering. I always dreamed to pursue
my higher studies in this university. I have a keen intention to work with Dr. Marat Khafizov on materials for
extreme environment. I hope all my research experiences and skills will make me a good match for his
group. I am looking forward to join your esteemed university as a PhD student.

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