Kripa K. Varanasi

Professor Kripa K. Varanasi is a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, operating within the School of Engineering. Her interdisciplinary research spans physico-chemical phenomena, thermal-fluids, interfacial science, and electrochemical systems, with applications in energy, water, biomedical technologies, and sustainable manufacturing.

• Alumnus of Indian Institute of Technology Madras (B.Tech, 1998), MIT (M.S. 2002, Ph.D. 2004)
• Former GE Global Research lead with multiple technology awards

Her research program uniquely bridges fundamental surface science with scalable industrial solutions, evidenced by startup ventures like LiquiGlide, Infinite Cooling, and AgZen. Expertise lies in Nanostructured surfaces, electrochemical fluid control, and bio-inspired material design. The group's visible light-responsive TiO₂ surfaces enable transformative approaches to oil-water separation and microfluidic manipulation.

Scientific recognition includes:

• NSF Career Award
• DARPA Young Faculty Award
• ASME Bergles-Rohsenow Heat Transfer Award
• MIT Graduate Advising Excellence Award
• Multiple startup competition victories

Key publications reveal systematic innovations in optically modulated wetting, dye-sensitized interfacial engineering, and industrial fluid dynamics. The group's startups have won prestigious competitions including the MIT-100K and MassChallenge Diamond Winner distinction.