Dr Anil Bastola

Lecturer

Mechanical Engineering

a.k.bastola@swansea.ac.uk

Office - 308
Third Floor
Engineering North
Bay Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

Research Links

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5598-0849

Google Scholar

Scopus

About

Dr Bastola is a mechanical engineer and material scientist specialised in Additive Manufacturing (AM)/3D Printing. His cutting-edge research focuses on developing innovative solutions for soft robotics, sensors/actuators, energy harvesting, and intelligent solutions for acoustic and vibration. Through the development of various passive and active material systems (those responsive to external stimuli) such as magnetic-field responsive and shape-memory materials, Dr Bastola is working toward creating innovative solution to various environmental challenges. Dr Bastola has gained valuable experience working in renowned institutions, including his PhD at Singapore Centre for 3D Printing (SC3DP), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), postdoctoral research at Institute of Active Polymers, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon (Germany), and at the world-renowned Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM), University of Nottingham (UK).

He has been working in the field of multi-functional, multi-material, and metamaterial systems, and their Additive Manufacturing. His research has been published in prestigious journals including Advanced Materials. Dr Bastola is interested in both fundamental, and translational research.

Areas Of Expertise

Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing
Polymers/Polymer Composites
Smart Materials and Structures
Stimuli-Responsive Materials (Magnetic/Electric Field, Heat and Humidity)
Ink formulation for Additive Manufacturing
Rheology and Viscoelasticity

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

I have a deep interest in nurturing the growth of aspiring students. I am mainly drawn to courses that align with my research expertise such as Advanced Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing, Polymers and Polymer composites, Material Testing and Characterisation, Rheology and viscoelasticity.

Currently, I am teaching Module EG-M36 at Swansea University.

Research Award Highlights

Publications

Research Highlights

Bastola, A., Parry, L., Worsley, R., Ahmed, N., Lester, E., Hague, R., & Tuck, C. (2024). Drop-on-Demand 3D Printing of Programable Magnetic Composites for Soft Robotics. Additive Manufacturing Letters, 11, 100250
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addlet.2024.100250, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68144
Pervan, D., Bastola, A., Worsley, R., Wildman, R., Hague, R., Lester, E., & Tuck, C. (2024). Additive Manufacturing of Electrically Conductive Multi-Layered Nanocopper in an Air Environment. Nanomaterials, 14(9), 753
https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14090753, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66990
Bastola, A. & Hossain, M. (2021). Enhanced performance of core-shell hybrid magnetorheological elastomer with nanofillers. Materials Letters, 297, 129944
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2021.129944, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56763
Bastola, A. & Hossain, M. (2021). The shape – morphing performance of magnetoactive soft materials. Materials & Design, 211, 110172
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2021.110172, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58325
Singleton, L., Cheer, J., Bastola, A., Tuck, C., & Daley, S. (2024). A robust optimised multi-material 3D inkjet printed elastic metamaterial. Applied Acoustics, 216, 109796
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2023.109796, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65773
Austin, B., Cheer, J., & Bastola, A. (2023). Experimental validation of a multi-material acoustic black hole. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 154(4_supplement), A266-A266.
https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0023481, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65772
Bastola, A., Paudel, M., & Li, L. (2018). Patterned Magnetorheological Elastomer Developed by 3D Printing. Materials Science Forum, 939, 147-152.
https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.939.147, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65771
Farhan, M., Klimm, F., Thielen, M., Rešetič, A., Bastola, A., Behl, M., Speck, T., & Lendlein, A. (2023). Artificial Tendrils Mimicking Plant Movements by Mismatching Modulus and Strain in Core and Shell. Advanced Materials, 35(22)
https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202211902, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65770
Bastola, A., Gannavarapu, M., Parry, L., & Shrestha, M. (2023). Magnetorheological brushes – Scarcely explored class of magnetic material. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 572, 170603
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2023.170603, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65769
Paudel, M., Yap, F., & Bastola, A. (2020). Safety assessment of personal mobility devices with different wheel size based on their dynamic stability performance. International Journal of Sustainable Design, 3(4), 227
https://doi.org/10.1504/ijsdes.2020.112094, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65768

All Research

Journal Articles

Bastola, A., Parry, L., Worsley, R., Ahmed, N., Lester, E., Hague, R., & Tuck, C. (2024). Drop-on-Demand 3D Printing of Programable Magnetic Composites for Soft Robotics. Additive Manufacturing Letters, 11, 100250
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addlet.2024.100250, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa68144
Pervan, D., Bastola, A., Worsley, R., Wildman, R., Hague, R., Lester, E., & Tuck, C. (2024). Additive Manufacturing of Electrically Conductive Multi-Layered Nanocopper in an Air Environment. Nanomaterials, 14(9), 753
https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14090753, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66990
Singleton, L., Cheer, J., Bastola, A., Tuck, C., & Daley, S. (2024). A robust optimised multi-material 3D inkjet printed elastic metamaterial. Applied Acoustics, 216, 109796
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apacoust.2023.109796, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65773
Bastola, A., He, Y., Im, J., Rivers, G., Wang, F., Worsley, R., Austin, J., Nelson-Dummett, O., Wildman, R., Hague, R., Tuck, C., & Turyanska, L. (2023). Formulation of functional materials for inkjet printing: A pathway towards fully 3D printed electronics. Materials Today Electronics, 6, 100058
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtelec.2023.100058, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65764
Austin, B., Cheer, J., & Bastola, A. (2023). Experimental validation of a multi-material acoustic black hole. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, 154(4_supplement), A266-A266.
https://doi.org/10.1121/10.0023481, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65772
Farhan, M., Klimm, F., Thielen, M., Rešetič, A., Bastola, A., Behl, M., Speck, T., & Lendlein, A. (2023). Artificial Tendrils Mimicking Plant Movements by Mismatching Modulus and Strain in Core and Shell. Advanced Materials, 35(22)
https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202211902, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65770
Bastola, A., Gannavarapu, M., Parry, L., & Shrestha, M. (2023). Magnetorheological brushes – Scarcely explored class of magnetic material. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 572, 170603
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2023.170603, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65769
Shrestha, M., Lau, G., Bastola, A., Lu, Z., Asundi, A., & Teo, E. (2022). Emerging tunable window technologies for active transparency tuning. Applied Physics Reviews, 9(3)
https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0089856, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65765
Bastola, A. & Hossain, M. (2021). The shape – morphing performance of magnetoactive soft materials. Materials & Design, 211, 110172
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2021.110172, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa58325
Kafle, A., Luis, E., Silwal, R., Pan, H., Shrestha, P., & Bastola, A. (2021). 3D/4D Printing of Polymers: Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), and Stereolithography (SLA). Polymers, 13(18), 3101
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13183101, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65744
Rodriguez, N., Bastola, A., Behl, M., Soffiatti, P., Rowe, N., & Lendlein, A. (2021). Approaches of combining a 3D-printed elastic structure and a hydrogel to create models for plant-inspired actuators. MRS Advances, 6(25), 625-630.
https://doi.org/10.1557/s43580-021-00081-6, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65767
Bastola, A. & Hossain, M. (2021). Enhanced performance of core-shell hybrid magnetorheological elastomer with nanofillers. Materials Letters, 297, 129944
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2021.129944, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa56763
Bastola, A., Soffiatti, P., Behl, M., Lendlein, A., & Rowe, N. (2021). Structural performance of a climbing cactus: making the most of softness. Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 18(178)
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2021.0040, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65766
Bastola, A., Rodriguez, N., Behl, M., Soffiatti, P., Rowe, N., & Lendlein, A. (2021). Cactus-inspired design principles for soft robotics based on 3D printed hydrogel-elastomer systems. Materials and Design, 202, 109515
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2021.109515, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65754
Paudel, M., Yap, F., & Bastola, A. (2020). Safety assessment of personal mobility devices with different wheel size based on their dynamic stability performance. International Journal of Sustainable Design, 3(4), 227
https://doi.org/10.1504/ijsdes.2020.112094, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65768
Bastola, A., Paudel, M., Li, L., & Li, W. (2020). Recent progress of magnetorheological elastomers: a review. Smart Materials and Structures, 29(12), 123002
https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-665x/abbc77, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65749
Bastola, A., Bastola, A., & Hossain, M. (2020). A review on magneto-mechanical characterizations of magnetorheological elastomers. Composites Part B: Engineering, 200, 108348
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2020.108348, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa55000
Luis, E., Pan, H., Bastola, A., Bajpai, R., Sing, S., Song, J., & Yeong, W. (2020). 3D Printed Silicone Meniscus Implants: Influence of the 3D Printing Process on Properties of Silicone Implants. Polymers, 12(9), 2136
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12092136, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65756
Bastola, A., Paudel, M., & Li, L. (2020). Line-patterned hybrid magnetorheological elastomer developed by 3D printing. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 31(3), 377-388.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1045389x19891557, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65762
Bastola, A., Paudel, M., & Li, L. (2020). Dot-patterned hybrid magnetorheological elastomer developed by 3D printing. Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, 494, 165825
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmmm.2019.165825, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65758
Bastola, A., Ang, E., Paudel, M., & Li, L. (2019). Soft hybrid magnetorheological elastomer: Gap bridging between MR fluid and MR elastomer. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, 583, 123975
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.123975, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65760
Luis, E., Pan, H., Sing, S., Bastola, A., Goh, G., Goh, G., Tan, H., Bajpai, R., Song, J., & Yeong, W. (2019). Silicone 3D Printing: Process Optimization, Product Biocompatibility, and Reliability of Silicone Meniscus Implants. 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing, 6(6), 319-332.
https://doi.org/10.1089/3dp.2018.0226, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65753
Bastola, A., Paudel, M., & Li, L. (2018). Patterned Magnetorheological Elastomer Developed by 3D Printing. Materials Science Forum, 939, 147-152.
https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/msf.939.147, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65771
Bastola, A. & Li, L. (2018). A new type of vibration isolator based on magnetorheological elastomer. Materials & Design, 157, 431-436.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2018.08.009, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65750
Bastola, A., Paudel, M., & Li, L. (2018). Magnetic circuit analysis to obtain the magnetic permeability of magnetorheological elastomers. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 29(14), 2946-2953.
https://doi.org/10.1177/1045389x18781046, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65757
Bastola, A., Paudel, M., & Li, L. (2018). Development of hybrid magnetorheological elastomers by 3D printing. Polymer, 149, 213-228.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymer.2018.06.076, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65752
Bastola, A., Li, L., & Paudel, M. (2018). A hybrid magnetorheological elastomer developed by encapsulation of magnetorheological fluid. Journal of Materials Science, 53(9), 7004-7016.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-2012-2, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65755
Liu, S., Bastola, A., & Li, L. (2017). A 3D Printable and Mechanically Robust Hydrogel Based on Alginate and Graphene Oxide. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 9(47), 41473-41481.
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.7b13534, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65748
Bastola, A., Hoang, V., & Li, L. (2017). A novel hybrid magnetorheological elastomer developed by 3D printing. Materials and Design, 114, 391-397.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2016.11.006, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65746

Conference Contributions

Bastola, A., Paudel, M., & Li, L. (2017). 3D Printed Magnetorheological Elastomers. In Volume 1: Development and Characterization of Multifunctional Materials; Mechanics and Behavior of Active Materials; Bioinspired Smart Materials and Systems; Energy Harvesting; Emerging TechnologiesAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers.
https://doi.org/10.1115/smasis2017-3732, SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65763

Taught Modules

EG-M36 Reliability and Maintenance Engineering

The module will provide overview of the systems engineering aspects of monitoring, control, reliability, survivability, integrity and maintenance. Areas of interest to be studied will encompass an engineering application from mechanical, marine and aerospace. The important underlying systems engineering concepts on plan-do-check-act cycle, reliability in relation to quality engineering, design considerations on system survivability, integrity and maintenance will be highlighted and demonstrated with relevant examples. Of particular example will be looked at, including but not limited to, plant operation (hazard analysis, on-condition monitoring, majority voting system and high integrity protective system), marine and aerospace applications such as pump, propulsion subsystem and commercial satellite solar array subsystem (combination of series and parallel systems). Failure Modes and Effects Analysis and Load (stress) - Strength analysis will be introduced and the important links between type of failure, failure rate and safety margin will be quantified.
EGA266 Digital Manufacturing

Within this module students will learn about digital manufacturing, from its role in concept development through to prototype production and small batch manufacture. They will be introduced to the way in which manufacturing is changing and the future possibilities presented by emerging digital manufacturing technologies. They will work individually to fabricate a digital manufacturing machine (3DPrinter), which they will calibrate and produce test parts on, as well as their own design of a 3DPrinted engineering design.
EGH314 Design for Reliability

This course is designed to equip participants with the quality and reliability engineering concepts and skills that will be needed by technically trained engineers within industrial companies to establish highly reliable and cost effective systems. The course will give introduction to the system engineering aspects of monitoring, control, reliability, survivability, integrity and maintenance. Areas of interest to be studied will encompass an engineering application from mechanical, marine and aerospace. The principles of 'Design for Reliability' will be highlighted and demonstrated with relevant examples.

Key Grants and Projects

Morphing Magnetic Materials for Defence by Additive Manufacturing 2023 - 2024

, with Professor Chris Tuck (University of Nottingham), Dr Luke Parry (University of Nottingham), £247,000

Career History

Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, Swansea University

2023 - Present
Research Fellow, Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM), University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

2021 - 2023
Postdoctoral researcher, Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon, Berlin, Germany

2019 - 2020
PhD Researcher, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore

2015 - 2019
Global Intern Fellow, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology

2014 - 2014
Research Assistant, Kathmandu University, Nepal

2014 - 2014

Other Roles

Review Editor, Frontier in Materials, Frontiers

2022 - Present
Guest Editor, Engineering Research Express, IOP Publishing

2022 - 2024
Guest Editor, Polymers, MDPI

2022 - 2023

Invited Presentations, Lectures and Conferences

“Additive Manufacturing of Acoustic Materials”, UK Metamaterial Network

September 2023

University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
“Additive Manufacturing of Morphing Materials”, UK Metamaterial Network

August 2023

University of Bath, Bath, UK
“3D Printing of Magneto-Active Polymers”, International Colloquium on Interactive Fibre Composites

September 2021

Dresden, Germany
“Evolutionary Design of Cactus-Inspired Soft Robotics Based on 3D Printed Multi-Material Construct”, MRS Spring Meeting 2021

April 2021

USA
“3D Printed Magnetorheological Elastomers” ASME 2017 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems

September 2017

Snowbird, Utah, USA
“Magnetorheological Elastomer: A Novel Approach of Synthesis”, in 2nd International Conference in Sports Science and Technology

December 2016

Singapore

Dr Anil Bastola

Email address

Twitter Account

LinkedIn Account

Research Links

About

Areas Of Expertise

Career Highlights

Research Highlights

All Research

EG-M36 Reliability and Maintenance Engineering

EGA266 Digital Manufacturing

EGH314 Design for Reliability

Morphing Magnetic Materials for Defence by Additive Manufacturing 2023 - 2024

Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering, Swansea University

Research Fellow, Centre for Additive Manufacturing (CfAM), University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

Postdoctoral researcher, Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon, Berlin, Germany

PhD Researcher, Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore

Global Intern Fellow, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology

Research Assistant, Kathmandu University, Nepal

Review Editor, Frontier in Materials, Frontiers

Guest Editor, Engineering Research Express, IOP Publishing

Guest Editor, Polymers, MDPI

“Additive Manufacturing of Acoustic Materials”, UK Metamaterial Network

“Additive Manufacturing of Morphing Materials”, UK Metamaterial Network

“3D Printing of Magneto-Active Polymers”, International Colloquium on Interactive Fibre Composites

“Evolutionary Design of Cactus-Inspired Soft Robotics Based on 3D Printed Multi-Material Construct”, MRS Spring Meeting 2021

“3D Printed Magnetorheological Elastomers” ASME 2017 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems

“Magnetorheological Elastomer: A Novel Approach of Synthesis”, in 2nd International Conference in Sports Science and Technology