• Polymer composites

• Polymer derived ceramics (PDC)

• Ceramic matrix composites (CMC)

• Functionally graded materials (FGM)

• Bio-inspired and template-directed synthesis

• Mechanical behavior of ceramic and polymer composites

• Non-classical crystal growth processes

Malaviya Award 2019  - Awarded annually since 1974 by the Indian Ceramic Society, named after Bharat Ratna Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, for the best paper published on “Ceramic Science and Technology”.

Innovative Project Funding - Awarded from Centre for Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (ICSR), Indian Institute of Technology Madras.

Clemson University Postdoctoral Association Travel Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to professional development for Fall 2023.

B.Tech | Ninth Rank - among the 1187 candidates who appeared for the B.Tech Degree Examination in 2012

M.Tech | First Rank

• [16] Tetragonula biroi–Derived Nanoemulsion Propolis Extract Impact on Inflammatory Cytokines and Osteoclastogenesis in Wistar Rats Subjected to Different Orthodontic Mechanical Forces Alexander Patera Nugraha, G Hong, K Yang, A Pramusita, Nurul Aisyah Rizky Putranti, Ida Bagus Narmada, I Gusti Aju Wahju Ardani, M Luthfi, W Riawan, P C Situmorang, I Yavuz, U Sabu, Khairul Anuar Shariff, Fitri Dwi Agus Pratiwi, N R A Marhendra, K Tanimoto,  European Journal of Dentistry (2026) Article in Press

• [15] Protein-rich eggshell membrane-assisted growth of ZnO single crystals via oriented attachment Sabu, U. , CN Shyamkumar, G Logesh, Mohammed Rashad, Kali Prasad, M Balasubramanian,  Journal of Materials Science (2026) 61 (13), 8493-8504

• [14] Wood-plastic composites as insulative panel from waste expanded polystyrene: optimizing thermal conductivity and mechanical behaviour, M Krishnaprasad Varma, Sudhanshu Nartam, Chandan C, Bijo Abrahm, Sabu,U and Sandip Budhe, Materials Research Express (2025) 12(8) 085504

• [13] Eggshell Membrane: A proteinaceous template for the development of hierarchical ceramics, Sabu, U. , Balaz, M., Balasubramanian M., and Bordia, R. K,  Ceramics International (2025)  51 (16), 21135-21161

• [12] Warm Pressing of Organosilicon Polymer Toward Monolithic Ceramics, Gowing, S., Sabu, U. and Bordia, R. K,  Adv. Eng. Mater. (2024) 2400103.

• [11] Carbon fiber reinforced composites from industrial waste for microwave absorption and electromagnetic interference shielding applications, G. Logesh, C. Srishilan, U. Sabu, K. Prasad, M. Rashad, A. Joseph, K.C. James Raju, M. Balasubramanian, Ceramics International, 49, (2022), 1922-1931.

• [10] On the formation of α-alumina single crystal platelets through eggshell membrane bio-templating, U. Sabu, Kumar, C. N. S., Logesh, G., Rashad, M., Melinte, G., Joy, A., Kübel, C., and Balasubramanian, M., Scripta Materialia, 195, (2021), 113716.

• [9] A novel monolithic mullite microfiltration membrane for oil-in-water emulsion separation, M. Rashad, G. Logesh, U. Sabu, M. Balasubramanian, Journal of Membrane Science, 620, (2021),118857

• [8] Tunable microwave absorption performance of carbon fiber-reinforced reaction bonded silicon nitride composites, G. Logesh, U. Sabu, C. Srishilan, M. Rashad, A. Joseph, K.C. James Raju, M. Balasubramanian, Ceramics International, 47, (2021), 22540-22549

• [7] Development of biomorphic C-ZnO with in situ formation of ZnS using eggshell membrane as bio-template, U. Sabu, N. Tripathi, G. Logesh, M. Rashad, A. Joy, M. Balasubramanian, Ceramics International, 46 (2020), 22869-22875

• [6] Mullite phase evolution in clay with hydrated or anhydrous AlF₃, M. Rashad, U. Sabu, G. Logesh, C. Srishilan, M. Lodhe, A. Joy, M. Balasubramanian, Journal of European Ceramic Society, 40, (2020), 5974-5983

• [5] Microwave-assisted synthesis of biomorphic hydroxyapatite, U. Sabu, G. Logesh, M. Rashad, A. Joy, M. Balasubramanian, Ceramics International, 45, (2019), 6718-6722

• [4] Development of porous mullite and mullite-Al₂O₃ composite for microfiltration membrane applications, M. Rashad, U. Sabu, G. Logesh, M. Balasubramanian, Separation and Purification Technology, 219, (2019), 74-81

• [3] Development of biomorphic alumina using eggshell membrane as bio-template, U. Sabu, M. Rashad, G. Logesh, K. Kumar, M. Lodhe, M. Balasubramanian, Ceramics International, 44, (2019), 4615-4621

• [2] Mechanical and dielectric properties of carbon fiber reinforced reaction bonded silicon nitride composites, G. Logesh, M. Rashad, M. Lodhe, U. Sabu, A. Joseph, K.C. James Raju, M. Balasubramanian, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 767, (2018),1083-1093

• [1] Spark Plasma Sintering of Silicon Carbide with Al₂O₃ and CaO: Densification Behavior, Phase Evolution, and Mechanical Properties, U. Sabu, B. Majumdar, B.P. Saha, D. Das, Transactions of the Indian Ceramic Society, 77 (2018), 202-208

• Materials Science
• Manufacturing Science
• Functional Materials: Theory and Applications
• Mechanical Behaviour and Testing of Engineering Materials
• Ceramic Science and Technology
• Machine Design 1
• Design of Machine Elements
• Environmental Studies for Mechanical Engineers
• Professional Ethics
• Metrology and Instrumentation Laboratory

PhD

Favas EK (Joined in Monsoon 2024 - Jointly with Prof. R. Manu)

Area of research: Vitrimer composites for EMI shielding applications

Sarath TR (Joined in Winter 2025 - Jointly with Dr. Jinu Paul)

Area of research: 3D printed polymer based scaffolds for bone regeneration

Sayooj P (Joined in Monsoon 2025 - Jointly with Prof. R. Manu)

Area of research: Functionally graded coatings

Vigil J Vijayan (Joined in Winter 2025)

Area of research: Polymer matrix composites

MTech

Amal K Abraham (Joined in 2026)

Area of research:  - Internship at VSSC-ISRO

Chinthala Hanock (Completed in 2026)

Area of research: Polymer derived ceramics - Internship at VSSC-ISRO

Aneesh Baiju (Completed in 2025 - Jointly with Dr. Sravan Kumar)

Area of research: Engineered wood polymer composites

• Department Secretary 
• Faculty coordinator - Mechanical Engineering Association (MEA) and MechNEWS

  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ummen-sabu-10371861/  

 Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=CAZdre8AAAAJ&hl=en

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6302-0090