YCN Representative - Germany

Gaurav Vajpayee

YCN representative for Germany

PhD researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and a Research Assistant at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials (IWM)

gaurav.vajpayee@iwm.fraunhofer.de 

Gaurav Vajpayee is a PhD researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and a Research Assistant at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials (IWM), working at the intersection of additive manufacturing and functional ceramics. His research focuses on the fabrication of architected barium titanate (BaTiO₃) ceramics using Direct Ink Writing and Fused Filament Fabrication, aiming to design texture and microstructural architectures that enhance electromechanical performance.

His academic journey has been shaped by international collaborations and interdisciplinary research environments. He was awarded a DAAD scholarship to complete his Master’s thesis at KIT and later received a JECS mobility grant for a research stay at the University of Padova in Italy. He has worked across multiple laboratories at KIT, Fraunhofer IWM, and international partner institutions, gaining broad experience in ceramic processing and advanced characterization methods. His work includes synchrotron-based experiments at DESY (PETRA III), and he continues to integrate large-scale characterization techniques to better understand structure–process–property relationships in additively manufactured piezoceramics.

In addition to research, Gaurav actively contributes to mentoring and collaborative scientific work, including supervising student research projects and working within multidisciplinary teams.

As the YCN Representative for Germany, Gaurav aims to strengthen connections among young ceramic researchers, promote knowledge exchange, and encourage collaboration between academia and industry. Having personally benefited from international mobility and collaborative networks, he is motivated to help young scientists discover similar opportunities and become active members of the global ceramics community.

Outside the laboratory, Gaurav enjoys photography and videography, often combining his interest in drones and engineering by creatively testing the mechanical robustness of his own 3D-printed samples. Through both research and outreach, he enjoys finding innovative ways to connect materials science with real-world applications.

Through YCN, Gaurav hopes to contribute to building an open and supportive community where young ceramicists can exchange ideas, develop collaborations, and confidently shape the future of ceramic science and technology.

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