Transport Phenomena in Materials Course | IIT Madras | Prof. Phanikumar
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 6 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Metallurgy and Material science & Mining Engineering |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 18 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlocking the Secrets of Materials Behavior: A Deep Dive into Transport Phenomena
For postgraduate students and professionals in Metallurgy, Materials Science, and related engineering fields, a fundamental understanding of Transport Phenomena is not just beneficial—it's essential. This core discipline, encompassing fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer, governs virtually every materials processing operation, from casting and welding to solidification and alloy development. Mastering these principles is key to innovating and optimizing processes in industries ranging from steel manufacturing to semiconductor fabrication.
Course Overview: Bridging Theory and Application
This intensive 12-week postgraduate course, designed and taught by Prof. Gandham Phanikumar of IIT Madras, offers a rigorous yet applied exploration of transport phenomena with a specific focus on materials behavior and processing. Prof. Phanikumar brings both deep academic expertise and practical research experience, having worked extensively on heat and solute transfer during laser processing of metals.
The course is structured to build from mathematical foundations to complex, coupled phenomena, ensuring students develop both analytical problem-solving skills and the ability to apply empirical correlations used in industry.
Who Should Enroll?
This course is ideally suited for:
- Postgraduate and advanced undergraduate students in Metallurgical, Materials, Chemical, and Mechanical Engineering.
- Researchers and R&D professionals in materials processing industries.
- Engineers seeking to strengthen their fundamental grasp of transport processes.
Prerequisites: A solid foundation in first-year undergraduate mathematics (calculus, differential equations) is required to fully engage with the course material.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1-2 | Mathematical Foundations & Balance Concepts: Introduction to tensor notation, control volume formulation, and the fundamental concept of conservation balances. |
| Week 3-5 | Fluid Flow Fundamentals: Derivation and understanding of Navier-Stokes equations, exact solutions for simple flows, friction factors, and direct applications to materials processing problems. |
| Week 6-8 | Heat Transfer Principles: Governing equations for energy transport, exact solutions for classic problems, and the critical study of convective heat transfer coupled with fluid flow. |
| Week 9-12 | Mass Transfer & Synthesis: Mass balance equations, diffusive and convective mass transfer, the crucial topic of solute redistribution during phase change (e.g., solidification), and exploring the elegant similarities across all transport phenomena. |
Learning from an Expert: Instructor Profile
The course is led by Prof. Gandham Phanikumar of the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at IIT Madras. With a doctoral background in transport phenomena during laser processing, Prof. Phanikumar has been teaching the core UG course on this subject for many years. His ongoing research ensures the course content is grounded in real-world applications and current academic thought. Learn more about his work at the IIT Madras faculty page.
Essential Reference Materials
The course curriculum is supported by a robust list of textbooks, enabling deeper study:
- Transport Phenomena by Bird, Stewart, and Lightfoot (The classic definitive text).
- Fundamentals of Momentum, Heat and Mass Transfer by Welty et al.
- Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing by Poirier and Geiger (Highly applied focus).
- Introduction to Fluid Mechanics by Fox and McDonald.
- Basic Transport Phenomena in Materials Engineering by Iguchi and Ilegbusi.
- Mass Transport in Solids and Fluids by Wilkinson.
Industry Relevance and Support
The principles taught in this course form the backbone of process design and optimization in leading materials and manufacturing industries. The course receives recognition and support from major corporations including Tata Steel, JSW, Vedanta, Aditya Birla Group, Murugappa Group, Amalgamations Group, and TCS. This underscores the direct applicability of the skills learned to industrial challenges in metal production, processing, and advanced manufacturing.
Conclusion: Why This Course is Essential
Transport Phenomena is the language of materials processing. This 12-week course by IIT Madras provides a unique opportunity to learn this language from a seasoned expert, within a framework that constantly connects theory to materials-specific applications. Whether you aim to excel in academic research or drive innovation in industry, a command of fluid flow, heat transfer, and mass transfer is an indispensable asset. Enroll to build a powerful foundation that will transform your understanding of how materials are shaped, transformed, and engineered for the future.
Enroll Now →