In recognition of the development and implementation of novel Al–Fe–Zn–Mg–based alloys for structural lightweighting in transportation.

Sumanth immigrated to Canada and Hamilton in 2004 to take up position as the Braly-Orlick Chair in Advanced Manufacturing and Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at McMaster University. His initial research stint as a PhD student and later a post-doctoral fellow (1996-04) at the Metal Processing Institute, WPI, Worcester, MA, USA, focused his research in enabling advancement in science and engineering related to aluminium alloy and technology for near net shaped casting processes including high pressure die casting. 2004-12 was spent on taking a deep dive into the science and engineering of Al alloys and casting technologies; atoms to components. This lead to the last decade being dedicated developing industry relevant, novel aluminium alloy systems, understanding solidification of Al alloys in HPDC process, understanding development of microstructure of Al alloys in HPDC, developing unique experiments to quantify heat transfer and solidification parameters, methods for die thermal regulation and management, developing software package to ease setting up and carrying out an HPDC simulation and multi-material joining methods such as FSW and SPR. The R&D was motivated to overcome contemporary barriers to ultra large thin-walled structural casting solidification, heat treatment, recycling, circular life cycle, carbon zero, light weighting, and innovative structural and aesthetic design options in automotive engineering. The R&D was enabled by a large group of individuals collaborating amongst the industry, government labs and academia; all of whom have been very invested in generating this new knowledge and enabling technologies to reposition aluminium, ahead, in net shaped manufacturing of structural lightweight components and integrated systems.