Karthik Nagarathnam

Title: Karthik Nagarathnam: Innovator in Refractory Materials and Magnet Construction

Introduction

Karthik Nagarathnam is a notable inventor based in Culpeper, VA (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of materials science, particularly in the development of advanced refractory materials and high-density magnets. With a total of 3 patents to his name, Nagarathnam continues to push the boundaries of innovation.

Latest Patents

Nagarathnam's latest patents include a near net shape combustion driven compaction process and a refractory composite material for high-temperature applications. The near net shape refractory material is produced through a combustion driven compaction method. In this process, a gas mixture is combusted, driving a piston or ram into a die containing refractory material powder, which compresses the powder into a near net shape. The chamber is filled with gas, allowing the piston or ram to rest on the powder, pre-compressing it and removing trapped air. During compression, forces can reach 150 tsi or more, with loading occurring within several hundred milliseconds. After compression, the shaped refractory part is sintered in a hydrogen environment, resulting in components with minimal scrap metal. The apparatus used for this process is compact, about the size of a telephone booth, and can be easily moved with a standard forklift. The powder used may include a combination of Mo—Re, Re, W—Re, HfC, and Hf, tailored for high-stress, high-temperature applications.

Another innovative patent involves the construction of neo magnets using a combustion driven high compaction method. In this process, a neo magnet powder is mixed with approximately 1% of a two-part electrical insulating resin powder. The mixed powders are placed in a die and pre-compacted under about 20 tsi before filling a combustion chamber with a pressurized combustible gas and air mixture. Upon ignition, the gas rapidly drives a punch into the die, forming a solid magnet with a density of 6.1 g/cm or more. The solid magnet is then heat-treated to cure the resin and coated with a polymer, zinc, aluminum, or gold. This method allows for the production of thin-walled neo ring magnets with a specific length to wall thickness aspect ratio.

Career Highlights

Karthik Nagarathnam is currently employed at Utron Kinetics, LLC, where he applies