I was born and brought up in the historic city of Warangal, India and in the due course of my academic and professional journey, I had a great opportunity to pursue my studies and work in various parts of India, the USA and Canada. Currently, I am pursuing my PhD in Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering where my thesis is focused on developing data-based plant models of electrochemical energy systems for automotive & power generation applications using machine learning algorithms. I have a master’s degree in Automotive Engineering from Clemson University, where the focus of my graduate research was powertrain calibration, controls, combustion, and emissions. During my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) University, I had the privilege of completing various internships with organizations such as Volvo Group, Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and Indian Railways.
Currently, under the supervision of Dr Xianguo Li at Fuel Cell and Green Energy Lab (FCGEL), I am exploring the aspect of using data-based modelling techniques to understand and predict the proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) and lithium-ion battery (LIB) performance, thermal behaviour, ageing, and diagnostics. Here at FCGEL apart from my thesis research, I along with my fellow researchers are currently collaborating with industry partners in developing the next-generation metallic PEMFC bipolar plates by analyzing the material substrates, coatings and flow field design attributes
PROJECTS AT FCGEL
- Development of next-generation metallic PEMFC bipolar plates
- Modeling of PEMFC performance, thermal behavior, ageing and diagnostics
- Investigation and Modeling of Lithium Titanate (LTO) battery performance and thermal behavior under fast charge and discharge conditions
- Development of databased models to predict emission and thermal behavior of heavy-duty diesel after-treatment system
LATEST PUBLICATIONS
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Legala, A., Shahgaldi, S., & Li, X. (2023). Data-based modelling of proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance and degradation dynamics. Energy Conversion and Management, 296, 117668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2023.117668
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Legala, A., LakkiReddy, V., Weber, P., & Li, X. (2023). Modeling of diesel particulate filter temperature dynamics during exotherm using neural networks. Frontiers in Thermal Engineering, https://doi.org/10.3389/fther.2023.1265490
- Legala, A., Zhao, J., & Li, X. (2022). Machine learning modeling for proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance. Energy and AI, 10, 100183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyai.2022.100183
- Legala, A., & Li, X. (2022). Hybrid data-based modeling for the prediction and diagnostics of Li-ion battery thermal behaviors. Energy and AI, 10, 100194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyai.2022.100194
- Legala, A., Premnath, V., Chadwell, M., Weber, P., & Khalek, I. (2021). Impact of Selective Catalytic Reduction Process on Nonvolatile Particle Emissions. SAE Technical Papers, 2021. https://doi.org/10.4271/2021-01-0624
HONORS & AWARDS:
- Best Student Presentation Award from IGEC at 14th International Green Energy Conference – Glasgow.
- Special Achievers Award from VIT University – 2016
PROFESSIONAL CHRONOLOGY: ARAI: Academy Student, 2015; VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd.: Intern-2016; IAV Automotive Engineering Inc: Intern 2018; Southwest Research Institute: Graduate Student, 2018; Engineer, 2018-2021, Research Engineer,2021; University of Waterloo: PhD Student, 2021-Ongoing;