K Chattopadhyay received the BE degree (1974) in Metallurgical Engineering from Regional Engineering College, Durgapur, Burdwan University and MSc (Engg) (1973) and PhD (1978) from Banaras Hindu University (BHU) under the supervision of P Ramachandra Rao. He was appointed as a Lecturer (1975) at BHU. Later on, he joined Indian Institute of Science (IISc) as Assistant Professor (1983). He was a Visiting Research Professor at the Carnegie Mellon University; Visiting Professor at Tohoku and Kyoto University, Japan; Visiting Scientist at the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, llinois; and so on. He is currently  Chairman, Division of Mechanical Sciences and Professor in the Department of Materials Engineering and Convenor, Advanced Facility for Microscopy & Microanalysis.

Academic and Research Achievements: Chattopadhyay started his research at BHU working on rapid solidification of aluminum alloys. He discovered aluminum-based binary glass and nanodispersed composites. Following this he worked at Carnegie Mellon University with HA Aaronson to solve the controversy related to the growth of bainite in Cu-Zn system and discovered the decagonal quasi-crystal in 1985. A series of new discoveries followed that include the discovery of ordering in quasi-crystal and the first approximant phase. Later, he turned his attention to the synthesis of nanocomposites and phase transformations at reduced length scale, and discovered large superheating phenomenon during melting, role of shape in phase transformation and mixing at nanoscale. He has also contributed to fundamental understanding of dissimilar joining processes, surface modifications and nanostructured magnetic alloys. Currently he is involved in developing high temperature aluminum alloys and steel for aerospace and energy applications and exploring the possibility of developing ductile ultrahigh strength multi-component alloys including bulk metallic glasses.

Other Contributions: Professor Chattopadhyay is instrumental in setting up and running a state-of-the-art nano characterization facility at IISc. He also played pivotal role in setting up ISRO-sponsored National Microgravity Research in the country and is currently its co-ordinator. He is also the Chairman of the International Committee on nanostructured materials.

Awards and Honours: Professor Chattopadhyay received the INSA Medal for Young Scientists (1979), SS Bhatnagar Prize (1995), National Metallurgist's Day Award (1989), Materials Research Society of India Medal (1990), GD Birla Gold Medal of IIM and Excellence in Research Award of IISc. He is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Science, Bangalore; National Academy of Science (India), Allahabad and Indian National Academy of Engineering, New Delhi.