Anil Saigal

Anil Saigal is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Tufts University's School of Engineering. He has been at Tufts since 1983, progressing from Assistant Professor to his current position as Professor. During his tenure, he served as Department Chair from 2002-2007 and as Director of International Programs for the School of Engineering from 2007-2009. His primary academic home is within the Mechanical Engineering department, where he teaches courses related to materials and manufacturing.

Dr. Saigal received his educational foundation from prestigious institutions:

• B.Tech. with distinction from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai, India (1979)
• M.S. from Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, United States (1980)
• Ph.D. from Georgia Institute of Technology, United States (1983)

Professor Saigal's research focuses on materials engineering and science, with particular emphasis on composite materials, polymer processing, and advanced manufacturing techniques. His work spans fundamental material characterization to applied manufacturing processes, with strong connections to both industrial applications and emerging technologies. Key areas include:

• Characterization of composite materials and polymers
• Additive manufacturing and directed energy deposition techniques
• Materials processing and quality control
• Mechanical behavior of advanced materials at various temperatures
• Structure-property relationships in engineered materials

His recent publications reveal a strong focus on additive manufacturing technologies, particularly directed energy deposition methods for creating advanced metal and composite materials. There's a clear trajectory toward biomedical applications of materials science, as evidenced by studies on cryogenic processing of biodegradable polymers and mechanical characterization of materials for medical devices. The research consistently bridges fundamental material science with practical engineering applications.

Professor Saigal has received significant recognition for his contributions to the field:

• Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• 2011 Distinguished Service Alumni Award from IIT Mumbai
• Vajra Fellowship from the Government of India (2020-2023)
• Best Paper Award from Minerals Metals and Materials Society (2017)
• Honorable Mention from American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2017)

Throughout his career, Professor Saigal has been actively involved in mentoring students and securing research funding. His grant portfolio includes projects funded by the National Science Foundation, industry partners like Conn-Selmer, Inc., and internal Tufts University programs. He has served as an advisor for numerous student research projects and has contributed to skill development initiatives aimed at high school students. In addition to his research grants, he has held significant administrative roles including serving as an ABET Program Evaluator and on various university committees focused on tenure and promotion, academic calendar planning, and diversity initiatives.

Professor Saigal leads the Research and Characterization of Composites and Polymers (RECCAP) Lab at Tufts University, which serves as the primary research hub for his work on advanced materials. The lab focuses on experimental characterization and computational modeling of composite materials and polymers, with particular emphasis on manufacturing processes and structure-property relationships. The RECCAP Lab supports both fundamental research and industry collaborations, providing students with hands-on experience in state-of-the-art materials characterization techniques.