Manisha’s research interests and projects include investigating the stability of pseudomorphic phases in bi-metallic multilayer thin film systems. This involves conducting ab-initio calculations for systems like Ti-Nb, to develop an understanding about the interfacial energies and stability of phases at the interface of the two metals constituting the multilayers. The simulation results are then compared with the experimental results that are part of research work conducted by previous group members. In future she plans to prepare thin films of her own using the group sputtering unit -Ahujamet and characterize them thoroughly using tools like High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM). She is also currently working with group member Daniel Huber and summer intern Alex Wohlgemuth to make the Ahujamet functional to its best capacity.

Being a fellow for the Center for Emergent Materials (CEM), an NSF supported Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC), she has also started getting involved in conducting HRTEM along with group member Robert Williams, to investigate structures of perovskite systems like Sr2FeMoO6. This project is a collaborative effort where thin films of various perovskite systems are being prepared by graduate students in the physics department at OSU using pulsed laser deposition. These materials are of interest for their potential application in spintronics - a growing field. A better understanding of the structures and defects at the interface of the substrate and the thin film and away from the interface would eventually help in the synthesis of defect-free and efficient perovskite thin films.

Research Interests:
Physical Metallurgy, Materials Processing, Materials Characterization and Materials Modeling

Manisha received a Bachelor in Science degree in Metallurgy in 2001 from Birsa Institute of Technology (BIT) - Sindri, India. She worked as a Technologist in Tata Steel for 2 years during which she was involved with research and development of high-strength steels. She then moved to US to pursue higher studies and received an MS degree in Materials Science and Engineering in 2006 from the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla. Her MS thesis involved validation of microstructure-property correlations in designed materials like 7000-series aluminum alloys and composites of smart materials and aluminum-1100 prepared using friction stir processing (FSP). She pursued a summer internship with Plymouth Tube Co. - East Troy, WI, before taking a transfer to The Ohio State University. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree under the guidance of Prof. Hamish L. Fraser.

M. Dixit, R.S. Mishra and K.K. Sankaran, “Structure-property correlations in Al 7050 and Al 7055 high-strength aluminum alloys”, Materials Science and Engineering A 478 (2008) 163-172.

M. Dixit, J.W. Newkirk and R.S. Mishra, “Properties of friction stir-processed Al 1100-NiTi composite”, Scripta Materialia 56 (2007) 541-544.

D.K. Rout, Manisha, A.M. Kumar, J. Martin and A.K. Das, “A study of cold rolling parameters related to processing of high strength steels in CRM” Tata Search (2004) 295-301.

M. Dixit, P.A. Morris &*8220;Structure, stability and properties of simulated ZnO nanotubes&*8221;, Materials Science & Technology conference, Sept. 16-20, 2007, Detroit, MI, U.S.A.

M. Dixit, R.S. Mishra &*8220;Properties of friction stirred BaTiO3 reinforced aluminum matrix composite&*8221, Materials Science & Technology conference, Sept. 26-28, 2005, Pittsburgh, PA, U.S.A.

Manisha is happily married to Vikas who is also pursuing doctoral studies with Prof. Hamish L. Fraser. They had a baby girl, Aastha (Aashi) in July 2008. The baby and household chores keeps her busy and occupied. However in her spare time she likes reading books and articles of interest, delve into art and craft work, watch old movies and visit new places.