1981/BT/CH Michael Bykhovsky and Charo Gonzalez-Bykhovsky Professor of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, USA
Prof. Sanat K. Kumar is one of the world’s leading researchers in polymer science, whose career of over three decades has fundamentally advanced the understanding of polymer nanocomposites, polymer blends, thin films, gas separation membranes and most recently polymer sustainability. Currently the Bykhovsky Professor of Chemical Engineering at Columbia University, he is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and recipient of the APS Polymer Physics Prize for 2022, one of the most prestigious honours in the field.
He completed his Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering with First Class Distinction from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in 1981, before earning his S.M. and Ph.D degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1984 and 1987, respectively. His years at IIT Madras provided the rigorous foundation from which a career of exceptional scientific productivity would grow. A particularly influential figure is Prof Ananth, who was his undergraduate thesis advisor. Prof Ananth’s course on Thermodynamics inspired Kumar’s research over his career.
Prof. Kumar’s research spans polymer nanocomposites, the behaviour of polymers at interfaces and in thin films, polymer blend dynamics, and the design of membranes for gas separation. His work on polymer-grafted nanoparticles has been particularly transformative, establishing guiding principles for how nanoparticle surface chemistry governs dispersion, self-assembly, and mechanical reinforcement in polymer matrices. More recently, his group has used machine learning to design high-performance membranes for carbon dioxide capture. In parallel with these advances, Kumar has extended his expertise in polymer physics to address urgent sustainability challenges. His recent study established the mechanistic pathways by which polymers fragment into micro- and nanoscale particles under stress and environmental exposure. By identifying the molecular and morphological factors governing particle generation, this research provides a scientific basis for mitigation strategies and highlights the broader societal relevance of polymer physics. He has published over 330 peer-reviewed papers, with a Google Scholar h-index of 89 and 37 papers each exceeding 200 citations. He holds five patents.
Beyond his own research, Prof. Kumar has shaped the field through sustained service and mentorship. He has supervised over 50 doctoral students to completion across Pennsylvania State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and Columbia University, where he also served as Chair of Chemical Engineering from 2010 to 2016. He has served as Associate Editor of Soft Matter, Chair of the Gordon Research Conference on Polymer Physics, and Chair of the Division of Polymer Physics of the American Physical Society. He has also held the Michelin Chair at ESPCI Paris and the Chevron Visiting Professorship at IIT Madras.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to polymer science and engineering, and to the global scientific community, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and its alumni are proud to confer Prof. Sanat K. Kumar with the Distinguished Alumni Award for the year 2026.
