STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

5 publications

  • Published Subscription Original Research

    Chlorophyll-Mimicking Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene-Conjugated Polymer Nanocomposites: Nature-Inspired Exciton Funneling Architecture for Ultrahigh Photon-to-Electron Conversion in Organic Solar Cells

    By Krupal Pawar, Shekhar Rahane, Neha Shirsath, Rajeshkumar Sambhe, Gokul Mahajan, Vasudha Patil

    Abstract: Green plant photosynthetic machinery is one of the most efficient natural systems for harvesting solar energy and converting it into useable electronic charge. Specifically, chlorophyll molecules in the Light-Harvesting Complex II (LHC-II) achieve nearly unity quantum yield via a well-organized Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) mechanism that enables excitons to migrate towards reaction centers. This study presents a bio-inspired nanocomposite architecture using two-dimensional Ti₃C₂Tₓ MXene nanosheets functionalized with chlorophyll-mimicking porphyrin …

    Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 4, 2026 · pp. 114–130 Read article

  • Published Subscription Original Research Special issue

    Eco-Efficient Skies: Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint Minimization of Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites in Aerospace Application

    By Krupal Pawar, Eknath Bayas, Shekhar Rahane, Rajeshkumar Sambhe, Balaprasad Kurpatwar

    Abstract: The increasing integration of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites in aerospace structures necessitates a rigorous evaluation of their environmental sustainability throughout their entire life cycle. This study presents a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) and carbon footprint analysis of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) composites applied to structural and semi-structural components in commercial aerospace applications. Following ISO 14040/14044 standards and employing the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint (H) impact …

    Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 3, 2026 · pp. 147–160 Read article

  • Published Subscription Original Research

    Experimental Investigation of Hybrid Natural Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites Using Banana and Sugar Palm Fibers

    By Shekhar Rahane, Krupal Pawar, Prafull Dhole, Vishwajit Bhagwat, Balaprasad Kurpatwar

    Abstract: This paper is a research study that examines the mechanical and morphological properties of hybrid natural fiber reinforced epoxy composites manufactured from banana fibers (BF) and sugar palm fibers (SPF). Because the use of sustainable, lightweight, and cost effective materials in engineering continues to grow, many engineers are looking at the possibility of utilizing natural fiber reinforced polymer composites as alternatives to traditional man-made fiber composites. Hybrid composite laminate samples …

    Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2026 · pp. 195–205 Read article

  • Published Subscription Original Research

    AI-Driven Topology Optimization of Woven Fiber-Reinforced Composite Chassis Structures for Electric Vehicles Under Crash Loading

    By Sweety Jachak, Pankaj Vispute, Sapna Sonar, Swapnil Ratnakar, Piyush Bhamare, Gokul Mahajan, Krupal Pawar

    Abstract: The structural design of an electric vehicle (EV) chassis represents a unique engineering challenge to achieve minimal weight while meeting occupants' safety requirements during high-energy crash conditions without compromise to the battery housing's integrity or the geometrical constraints of the electric powertrain package. In this paper, a single framework is proposed to integrate physics-based artificial intelligence (AI) surrogate models using PINNs, CNN-accelerated topology optimization, and FEA to design woven fiber-reinforced …

    Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 2, 2026 · pp. 72–89 Read article

  • Published Subscription Original Research Special issue

    Characterization of Bamboo-Fiber Reinforced Geopolymer Composites

    By Shekhar Rahane, Balaprasad Kurpatwar, Mangesh Patil, Sweety Jachak, Krupal Pawar

    Abstract: In this project, we plan to produce and assess a new, eco-friendly composite made from geopolymer (from a combination of fly ash and GGBFS), strengthened with chemically treated bamboo fibres for retrofitting earthquake-resistant buildings. Geopolymer is produced by activating a mixture of fly ash and GGBFS with sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide solutions. We have produced and analyzed bamboo fibre-reinforced geopolymer composites as potential materials for seismic retrofitting of structures …

    Published in Journal of Polymer & Composites · Vol. 14, Issue 1, 2026 · pp. 1007–1025 Read article

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