ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This dissertation is a result of the research work that has been carried out at National
Institute of Technology, Rourkela. During this period, the author came across with a great
number of people whose contributions in various ways helped in the field of research and
they deserve special thanks. It is a pleasure to convey the gratitude to all of them.
First of all the author expresses his heartiest gratitude to his supervisor and guide Dr. B. B.
Biswal, Professor and Head, Department of Industrial Design, NIT, Rourkela for his valuable
guidance, support and encouragement in the course of the present work. The successful and
timely completion of the work is due to his constant inspiration and constructive criticisms.
The author cannot adequately express his appreciation to him. The author records his
gratefulness to Madam Mrs. Meenati Biswal for her constant support and inspiration during
his work and stay at NIT, Rourkela.
The author take this opportunity to express his deepest gratitude to Prof. M.R. Khan, Head
of the Department and Prof. D. S. Bisht, of the Department of Industrial Design, NIT
Rourkela for constant advice, useful discussions, encouragement and support in pursuing the
research work.
The author is grateful to Prof. S.K. Sarangi, Director, NIT, Rourkela, Prof. R.K. Sahoo,
former Head of Mechanical Engineering Department, NIT, Rourkela, for their kind support
and concern regarding his academic requirements.
The author also expresses his thankfulness to Mr. H. Mishra, Mr. V. Mishra, Mr. A Jha,
Mr. A. Agrawal, Mr. A. Ganguly and Mr. S. Chandrakar, Department of Mechanical
Engineering and Mr. M. V. A. Raju, Mr. O. P. Sahu, Mr. R. N. Mahapatra, Mr. B.
Balabantaray, and Mr. P. Parida, researchers in NIT Rourkela for unhesitating cooperation
extended during the tenure of the research programme.
The completion of this work came at the expense of author’s long hours of absence from
home. Words fail to express his indebtedness to his wife Vibha, loving son Sambhav, loving
Niece Maulli, and nephew Osho-Prince-Darsh for their understanding, patience, active
cooperation and after all giving their times throughout the course of the doctoral dissertation.
The author thanks them for being supportive and caring. His parents and relatives deserve
special mention for their inseparable support and prayers.
Last, but not the least, the author thank the one above all, the omnipresent God, for giving
him the strength during the course of this research work.
Panchanand Jha
