Dr. Gupta

 

Rakesh K. Gupta

Ph.D., Delaware

George & Carolyn Berry Chair

Joined Faculty in 1991

Phone: (304) 293-2111 ext. 2427

E-Mail: rakesh.gupta@mail.wvu.edu

 

     Dr. Gupta's research is directed mainly at understanding the (non-Newtonian) flow behavior of polymer solutions, polymer melts, solid-in-liquid suspensions and emulsions. In addition to explaining observed phenomena, the knowledge gained is of use in modeling operations used to process these materials. Consequently, one can relate process conditions to structure and the structure to properties. This allows one to engineer materials with enhanced properties. Such an approach has been employed to examine and modify such diverse materials as fiber-reinforced plastics, lubricants, wall joint compounds, thermal grease, ceramic slurries and polymer plastic blends. Current work is related to the recycling of Polymers from end-of-life electronic applications. Rheological methods can also be used for determining the mechanical properties of solid polymers, and these techniques are being employed as non-destructive means of following the phenomenon of material aging. The goal here is to predict the durability of polymeric composites used for infrastructure applications. Also being examined is the role of coupling agents in fiber/martrix adhesive in polymer composites.

Selected Publications

 

A.P. Shah, R.K. Gupta, H.V.S. GangaRao and C.E. Powell, “Moisture diffusion through vinyl ester nanocomposites made with montmorillonite clay,” Polym. Eng. Sci., 42, 1852-1863 (2002).

 

S. Agarwal and R.K. Gupta, “An innovative extensional viscometer for low-viscosity and low-elasticity liquids,” Rheol. Acta, 41, 456-460 (2002).

 

A.D. Drozdov, J. deC. Christiansen, R.K. Gupta and A.P. Shah, “Model for anomalous moisture diffusion through a polymer-clay nanocomposite,” J. Polym. Sci.: Part B: Polym. Phys., 41, 476-492 (2003).

 

A. Ait-Kadi, M. Grmela, R.K. Gupta and V. Zmievski, “Rheological measurements and modeling of noncolloidal particulate suspensions,” Chapter 5 in G. Shonaike and S.G. Advani (Eds.), Advanced Polymeric Materials: Structure Property Relationships, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, pp. 181-208 (2003).

 

H.T. Rana, R.K. Gupta, H.V.S. GangaRao and L.N. Sridhar, “Measurement of moisture diffusivity through layered-silicate nanocomposites,” AIChE J., 51, 3249-3256 (2005).

 

A. Al-Mulla and R.K. Gupta, “Recycling mixed plastics from end-of-life electronics,” Proc. SPE Global Plastics Environmental Conference, Feb 28 - March 2, 2006, Atlanta, GA (Paper E2 on CD).

 

L.N. Sridhar, R.K Gupta and M. Bhardwaj, “Barrier properties of polymer nanocomposites,” I&EC Res., 45, 8282-8289 (2006).

 

S.-K. Yeh, A. Al-Mulla and R. K. Gupta, “Effect of coupling agent on the properties of PNC-based wood/plastic composites,” J. Polym. Eng., 26, 783-804 (2006).

 

M.C. Costache, M.J. Heidecker, E. Manias, R.K. Gupta and C.A. Wilkie, “Benzimidazolium surfactants for modification of clayus for use with styrenic polymers,” Polym. Degradation Stability, 92, 1753-1762 (2007).

 

M.C. Costache, M.J. Heidecker, E. Manias, G. Camino, A. Frache, G. Beyer,  R.K. Gupta and C.A. Wilkie, “The influence of carbon nanotubes, organically modified montmorillonites and layered double hydroxides on the thermal degradation and fire retardancy of polyethylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and polystyrene,” Polymer, 48, 6532-6545 (2007).

 

Q. Liu, D. DeKee and R.K. Gupta, “Models of moisture diffusion through vinyl ester/clay nanocomposites, AIChE J., 54, 364-371 (2008).

 

D. Song, W. Zhang, E.G. Melby and R.K. Gupta, “An instrumented mixer setup for making tackifier dispersions used to make pressure-sensitive adhesives,” Meas. Sci. Technol., 19, 045801/1-045801/9 (2008).

 

D.L. Statler, Jr. and R.K. Gupta, “Relating nanoclay dimensions and arrangement to barrier properties of polymer nanocomposites,” Proc. Soc. Plast. Eng. ANTEC, May 4-7, 2008, Milwaukee, WI, pp 163-167.

 

S.-K. Yeh and R.K. Gupta, “Improved wood-plastic composites through better processing,” Composites: Part A, 39, 1694-1698 (2008).

 

D.L. Statler, Jr. and R.K. Gupta, “A finite element analysis of the modeling of heat release rate, as assessed by a Cone Calorimeter, on barrier properties of char forming polycarbonate,” Proc. COMSOL Conference, October 9-11, 2008, Boston, MA.

 

Patents

S. Iruvanti, R.K. Gupta and E. Ruckenstein, "Stable, high solids, high thermal conductivity pastes," U.S. Patent 5,098,609 (Issued: March 24, 1992).

R.K. Gupta and S. Agarwal, “A sensitive, spin-line type extensional viscometer for mobile liquids employing very small liquid volumes.”  U.S. patent No. 7,114374 issued October 3, 2006.

S.K. Gaggar, R.K. Gupta, T.-W. Liu, S. Agarwal and A. Al-Mulla, Flame retardant resinous compositions and process, Application, serial number 12/022420, filed with U.S. Patent office on January 30, 2008.

Books

R.K. Gupta, “Polymer and Composite Rheology," 2nd rd., Revised and Expanded, Marcel Dekker, New York, 2000, 390 pp. ISBN # 0-8247-9922-4

A. Kumar and R.K. Gupta, "Fundamentals of Polymer Engineering," 2nd ed., Revised and Expanded, Marcel Dekker, New York, 2203, 693 pp. ISBN # 0-8247-0867-9.

R.K. Gupta, E.B. Kennel and K.-J. Kim (Eds.), Polymer Nanocomposites Handbook, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL, 2008.  ISBN #0849397774.