DMRL

Born in 1951, Dr. Malakondaiah obtained his B.E. degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Regional Engineering College, Warangal in 1973. Subsequently he joined Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and obtained M. Tech. (1975) and Ph.D. (1980) degrees in Metallurgical Engineering. He was awarded Swarup Jubilee medal for being the outstanding post-graduate student and University medal for standing first in the M.Tech. examinations, 1975.

He served on the Metallurgy faculty of BHU for two years as lecturer (1980-82) prior to his joining Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory in October, 1982. Dr. Malakondaiah has set up at DMRL one of the leading Fatigue and Fracture Mechanics Laboratories in the country. He received INSA (Indian National Science Academy) Young Scientists’ Medal in the year 1983. He was awarded (1992) the prestigious National Metallurgists’ Day Award by the Ministry of Steel and Mines for his outstanding contributions towards Mechanical Metallurgy. He carried out post-doctoral research on advanced titanium aluminides for two years (1992-1994) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, USA as NRC Senior Research Fellow.

His research work has been broadly in the area of advanced mechanical metallurgy, with special emphasis on structure-mechanical property correlations in metals and alloys and development of specialty steels. At DMRL he has undertaken a comprehensive research programme to develop a cost effective low-alloy alternative to the highly alloyed 250 grade maraging steel, best known for its attractive strength-toughness combination. His research has eventually led to the development of a new ultra-high strength, high toughness low-alloy steel, designated as DMR-1700. The alloy chemistry thus designed constitutes an excellent instance of alloy development in our country. The technological potential of DMR-1700 is currently being explored for rocket motor casing, long range mortar base plate and armour applications. Under his leadership, the development of technology for indigenous production of AB-class naval steels has achieved several milestones. He has been the recipient of the following DRDO awards: Cash Award (1994), Scientist of the Year (2000), Technology Group Award (2003) and Agni Award for Excellence in Self-Reliance (2005). He has also received SAIL Gold Medal (1997) and MRSI Gold Medal (1998).

Dr. Malakondaiah has published over 70 original technical papers in reputed national and international journals in addition to around 30 papers in conference proceedings. Under his guidance five Doctoral degrees have been awarded. He is a Fellow of Andhra Pradesh Akademi of Sciences and Indian National Academy of Engineering.