Dr. Richi Kumar

Richi Kumar is a scientist focusing on using neuron and synchrotron X-ray imaging techniques for material characterization. She specializes in performing in situ and static neutron and X-ray tomography. She collaborates with scientists from diverse scientific background, working on projects like neutron imaging of ammonia sorption materials, defect characterization in additively manufactured steel samples, imaging extra-terrestrial objects, imaging hydrogen distribution in hybrid Ti-Mg implants etc. She is an expert in image reconstruction and data analysis (preprocessing, segmentation, and quantification) of imaging data.

Educational Background:

• 2016 – 2019 Doctor of Philosophy
European Synchrotron Radiation Facility
Université Grenoble-Alpes, Grenoble, France (Science et Ingénierie des Matériaux et Procédés)

• 2012 - 2014 Master of Technology
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, India

• 2008-2012 Bachelor of Technology
Material Science and Metallurgical Engineering,
Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, India

Professional experience

• 2020-present: Scientist, Department of Neutron Scattering at Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon
• 2019-2020: Postdoctoral Researcher, Centre des Matériaux, Mines Paristech, Evry, France
› Used Synchrotron X-Ray (PSICHÉ beamline, SOLEIL) in situ microCT to characterize in situ tensile deformation in ferritic steel samples.
› Used Image processing and quantification to measure damage variables: crack length, crack opening, void volume fraction, etc.
› Developed and implemented algorithms in python and used existing python modules for image analysis.

• 2016-2019: PhD Student / Researcher, ESRF and SIMaP Lab Université Grenoble-Alpes, France
› Pioneered the development of single distance phase contrast in situ nanoCT (scan time 3.5 sec, pixel size 100nm) for high temperature deformation studies (< 1000 K) at ID16B nano-analysis beamline of the ESRF by incorporating a novel compact tensile deformation device with the existing furnace.
› Studied nucleation and early stages of growth of voids during creep deformation in light alloys (Al-Cu, AZ31) for aerospace and automotive applications.
› Reconstructed and analyzed data to understand and investigate deformation behavior.
› Developed automatic segmentation and quantification algorithms for analyzing 3D images.