Sanan Appapillai, PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering
Mechanics, 2026
I am incredibly grateful to the Graduate School and the Graduate Dean Awards Advisory Panel for selecting me as a recipient of the Finishing Fellowship. This recognition is a major milestone in my academic career, and I want to extend my deepest appreciation to my advisor, Wei Wei, whose mentorship, encouragement, and invaluable insight have guided me throughout my doctoral research.
I earned my Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from BSA Crescent Institute of Science & Technology, India, in 2019, and completed my Master of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering at Ontario Technical University, Canada, in 2023. Following this, I joined Michigan Tech in Fall of 2024 to pursue my PhD under the supervision of Dr. Wei. My dissertation focuses on the design and optimization of high-entropy perovskite thin films for next-generation solar energy applications. Using advanced manufacturing and structural engineering techniques, I systematically explore multi-element cation and anion mixing to enhance the lattice stability and optoelectronic properties of thin-film solar cells. My work spans chemical solution synthesis, microstructural characterization, and the scale-up of lab-scale solar cells into larger, industrially relevant modules using blade-coating technologies. Through my research, I aim to bridge the gap between idealized laboratory discoveries and commercial, mass-producible clean energy solutions.
Alongside my research, I have had the opportunity to contribute to undergraduate education at Michigan Tech by serving as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, leading engineering laboratory sections, and mentoring students