Department of Engineering Technology
Faculty of Technology
University of Ruhuna
Dr. K.G.S.Harshadewa Gunawardana
Department of Engineering Technology
Senior Lecturer
harshadewa@etec.ruh.ac.lk
ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Professional Experience
Teaching
| Teaching | Experience in teaching Physics, Engineering Physics and Mathematics course units for undergraduates. | |
| Senior Lecturer | Department of Engineering Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Ruhuna. | May 02, 2016- Present |
| Chair, Curriculum development committee | Department of Engineering Technology, Faculty of Tehnology, University of Ruhuna. | August 2020-present |
| Substitute Instructor for Chemical Thermodynamics | Iowa State University,USA. | Fall 2013 |
| Substitute Instructor :-Introductory Quantum mechanics | Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University. | Fall 2012 |
| Graduate Teaching Assistant | The University of Oklahoma, USA
PHYS 1311 General Physics Lab, Official tutor of department of physics |
2004-2007 |
| Teaching Assistant | Department of physics, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. | 2003-2004 |
Research
| Research Collaborator | Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Oklahoma
USA. Project: Quantum Many Body Localization. |
2023-2024 |
| Research Collaborator | Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Oklahoma
USA. Project: Electron Scattering at Normal-Superconducting interface of strained Graphene. |
2014-2015 |
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | Division of Material Science and Engineering, Ames
Laboratory, USDOE, Iowa State University, USA. Project: Thermodynamic Properties of Alloys. |
April 01, 2012 -Feb. 13, 2016 |
| Visiting Scholar | Department of Physics, Purdue University, USA.
Project: Nanoscale Thermal Transport and Device Application. |
Jan-May 2010 |
| Graduate Research Assistant | Department of physics and astronomy, University of Oklahoma, USA. Project: Nanoscale Thermal Transport |
2007-2011 |
| Research Supervisor | Research Supervising graduate and undergraduate students. | 2012-present |
Administration
| Dean | Faculty of Technology, University of Ruhuna | Feb. 11, 2020 - Feb.10 2023 |
| Acting Head | Department of Multidisciplinary Studies, Faculty of Technology, University of Ruhuna. | Feb. 11, 2020 - Feb. 10 2023 |
| Founder Head | Department of Engineering Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Ruhuna. | Aug. 10, 2016 - Feb. 10, 2020 |
Teaching Preparation
| TMS1143 General Physics I (Physics of Mechanical Systems). Course content: Units and Measurements, vectors, motion in 1D, 2D and 3D, Newton’s laws of motion, Work and Energy, Potential Energy, Momentum, collisions and conservation laws, Angular momentum, rotations. |
| TMS1253 General Physics II (Properties of Material). Course content: Phases of mater, Density, Pressure, Elastic properties, Liquids:Viscosity, surface tension, Bernoulli principle, Waves, Sound propagation in matter, Temperature, Thermal properties of matter, Kinetic Theory of gases, Thermodynamics. |
| TMS1231 Properties of Material Laboratory. (General Physics Laboratory follows the course unit TMS1253) |
| TMS1231 Properties of Material Laboratory. (General Physics Laboratory follows the course unit TMS1253) |
| ENT2113 Analogue Electronic systems |
| ENT2121 Electronic Laboratory I |
| ENT2223 Digital Electronic Systems |
| ENT2221 Electronic Laboratory II |
| TMS1152 Applied Calculus I |
| TMS1223 Applied Calculus II |
Research Supervising
| Ms. B.H.C.S. Thilakerathne, Master of Philosophy reading 2021-2024. Project: Optimizing the pair correlation function of binary alloys. |
| Mr. P.T. Dhanusekara, Undergraduate dissertation, 2022 Project: Analyzing acoustic signals to predict potential failures of mechanical systems. |
| Ms. J.A.A.L. Jayarathna, Undergraduate dissertation, 2021 Project: Study on Internal Defects Propagation under Applied stress in Cast Alloys. (Currently reading for a doctoral degree in Material Science and Engineering in SIIT, Thammasat University, Thailand.) |
| Mr. A.N.N. Roche, Undergraduate dissertation, 2021 Project: Modeling Temperature Distribution in a Data center Using Computational Fluid dynamics |
| Ms. Anjalee Jayarathna,Undergraduate dissertation, 2021 Project: Machine Monitoring System to Predict Potential Failures. |
| Mr. Adam philips, undergraduate student, SULI program summer 2013 Iowa State University. Project: Molecular dynamics calculation of solid-liquid interfacial free energy from interfacial stress. |
Computer Programming
| Programming Languages.
- Julia, Python, Fortran,C++, Mathematica. Computational tools in Physics. - DMRG (Density Matrix Renomalization Group): ITensor with Julia. - First Principle Calculations: Quantum Espresso,Gaussian. - Molecular Dynamics: LAMMPS. - Machine learning: Python. |
PUBLICATIONS
Thermodynamics Properties of Alloys and Interfaces - Abstract, Conference Proceedings and Presentations
| Classical density functional theory to study phase behavior of Cu-Zr systems., K.G.S.H. Gunawardana,Oct. 12,2012, Structures and Dynamics seminar, Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames Iowa. |
| Molecular dynamics calculation of solid-liquid interfacial free energy from interfacial stress, Adam philips, K.G.S.H.Gunawardana and Xueyu song, Poster session SULI program, Ames laboratory, Iowa State University, Aug, 2013. (Poster.) |
| Solid liquid interface free energy via stress tensor., K.G.S.H. Gunawardana, Apr. 23, 2014, Structures and Dynamics seminar, Ames Laboratory, Iowa State University, Ames Iowa. |
| Casting Defects and Crack Propagation of Cast Aluminum under Applied Stress, Jayarathna, JAAL; Hasangika, HLO; Thilakarathna, BHC Sanjeewani; Gunawardana, KGSH; 5th International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University, 2021. |
| Free Energy Calculations of FCC Aluminum Using Classical Density Functional Theory and a Perturbative Approach. Thilakarathna, BHCS; Song, Xueyu; Gunawardana, KGSH; 19th Academic Sessions - 2022, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka. |
Thermodynamics Properties of Alloys and Interfaces
| Theoretical calculation of melting curve of Cu-Zr binary alloys, K.G.S.H. Gunawardana, S.R. Wilson, M.I. Mendelev and Xueyu Song, Phys. Rev. E 90, 052403 (2014). |
| Free energy calculations of crystalline hard sphere complexes using density functional theory, K.G.S.H. gunawardana and Xueyu Song, J. Phys. Chem. B 119(29), 9160-9166 (2015). |
| Solid-liquid interface free energies of pure bcc metals and B2 phases, S.R. Wilson, K.G.S.H. Gunawardana and M.I. Mendelev, J. Chem. Phys. 142, 134705 (2015). |
| Theoretical predictions of crystallization kinetics of a supercooled Lennard-Jones fluid, K.G.S.H. gunawardana and Xueyu Song, J. Chem. Phys. 148(20), 204506 (2018). |
| Response to "Comment on 'Theoretical predictions of crystallization kinetics of a supercooled Lennard-Jones fluid', K.G.S.H. gunawardana and Xueyu Song, J. Chem. Phys. 151, 017102 (2019). |
Quantum Transport - Abstract, Conference Proceedings and Presentations
| Andreev reflection in edge state of time reversal invariant Landau levels., K.G.S.H.Gunawardana, Bruno Uchoa; 2016 APS March meeting, volume 61, Number 2, Baltimore,Maryland, USA. |
| Andreev reflection in edge states of time-reversal invariant Landau levels, K.G.S.H. Gunawardana and Bruno Uchoa, Phys. Rev. B (Rapid Comm.) 91, 241402 (2015). |
| Coupled electron-hole states at normal-superconducting interface of strained graphene, K.G.S.H. Gunawardana, Bruno Uchoa; 15th academic sessions, University of Ruhuna, 2018. |
Quantum Transport
| "Measurement of the Dresselhaus and Rashba Spin-Orbit Coupling Via Weak AntiLocalization in InSb Quantum Wells", A.R.Dedigama, D. Jayathilaka, S.H. Gunawardana, S.Q.Murphy, M.Edirisooriya, N.Goel, T.D.Mishima and M.B.Santos,Narrow gap semiconductors 119, 35(2007). |
| Many-body localization transition in coupled incommensurate Heisenberg spin chains, K.G.S.H. Gunawardana and Bruno Uchoa, To be submitted to Physical Review Research (2024). |
| Andreev reflection in edge states of time-reversal invariant Landau levels, K.G.S.H. Gunawardana and Bruno Uchoa, Phys. Rev. B (Rapid Comm.) 91, 241402 (2015). |
Nano-scale Heat Transport - Abstract, Conference Proceedings and Presentations.
| Nanoscale thermal transport: R-matrix theory and thermal transport in strained graphene, Condensed Matter Physics Seminars, Department of Physics, Oklahoma State University, Nov. 18 2011. (Invited) |
| Thermal transport in nanostructures, Chemical engineering seminars, Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Arkansas, Sep.15 2011.(Invited) 58th International Symposium and Exhibition, Nashville, Tennessee, 2011. |
| "Thermal transport in graphene nanoribbons: R-Matrix theory approach", K.G.S.H. Gunawardana and Kieran Mullen, APS March meeting 2011. |
| Langevin Approach to Optimizing Thermal Conductivity in Composite Materials, Abdellah Ait Moussa, K.G.S.H. Gunawardana, and Kieran Mullen, APS March meeting 2011. |
| R-matrix theory for interfacial thermal transport, K.G.S.H. Gunawardana and Kieran Mullen, APS March meeting 2010. |
| R-matrix theory for atomic scale thermal transport, Kieran Mullen and K.G.S.H. Gunawardana,The 56th Midwest Solid State physics conference, Norman, Oklahoma, 9-10, Oct, 2010. (Poster) |
| "Optimal matching of thermal vibrations into carbon nanotubes", ECE Seminars, Purdue University, Feb 09 2010.(Invited.) |
| Optimal Matching of Thermal Vibrations into Carbon Nanotubes in Theory and Simulations, K.G.S.H. Gunawardana and Kieran Mullen, MRS Fall Meeting 2009. 14. Simulating thermal transport in high contrast composite media, K.G.S.H.Gunawardana, Kieran Mullen and Dimitrios V. Papavassiliou, APS March meeting 2008. |
Nano-scale Heat Transport
| "Efficient Random Walk Algorithm for simulating Thermal Transport in Composite With High Conductivity Contrast", K.G.S.H.Gunawardana, Kieran Mullen, Dimitrios V. Papavassiliou, arxiv.org/abs/0910.3502 . |
| "Optimal matching of thermal vibrations into carbon nanotubes" , K.G.S.H. Gunawardana and Kieran Mullen, Proceedings of 41st ISTC - Wichita, KS, Oct 19-22, 2009, SAMPE Journal. |
| "R-matrix theory for nanoscale phonon thermal transport across devices and interfaces", K.G.S.H. Gunawardana, Kieran Mullen, Numerical Heat Transfer, Part B: Fundamentals 60(4),2011. |
| "Tunable thermal transport and thermal rectification in strained graphene nanoribbons", K.G.S.H. Gunawardana, K. Mullen, J. Hu, Y. P. Chen, and X. Ruan, Phys. Rev. B 85,245417 (2012). |
Engineering Applications - Abstract, Conference Proceedings and Presentations
| Abstract, Conference Proceedings and Presentations |
| Modeling temperature distribution analysis in a data center using computational fluid dynamics, Roche, ANN; Gunawardana, KGSH; Vitharana, VHP; Proceedings of 9th Ruhuna International Science and Technology Conference University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka, January 19, 2022. |
Engineering Applications
| Analyzing acoustic signals to predict potential failures of mechanical systems, using machine learning, P.T. Dhanusekara, K.G.S.H. Gunawardana, in preparation (2023). |
Education and Administration - Abstract, Conference Proceedings and Presentations
| Scaling marks distribution of underperformed assessments to avoid higher failure rates, Gunawardana, KGSH; Vitharana, VHP; Adikaram, KKNB; Dias, IK; Hettiarachchi, RL; Proceedings of the Ruhuna Quality Assurance Sessions 2022; 21st September 2022. |
| The Impact of an Organized Transport System on Employee Productivity, Hettiarachchi, RL; Amarasena, Sujeewa; Gunawardana, KGSH; Proceedings of the Ruhuna Quality Assurance Sessions 2021; 21st September 2021. |
| "Force Distribution of a String Under Tension", K. G. S. H. Gunawardana, K. Premaratne, R. P. U. Karunasiri and R. L. Wijayawardane, SLASS conference Sri Lanka, 2003. ( http://thakshana.nsf.ac.lk/pdf/SLAAS/2003/523E1.pdf ) |
AWARDS & FELLOWSHIPS
| Faculty Research grant University of Ruhuna , 2017-2018.(150000 SLR) |
| Graduate Student Senate Travel Grant, 2008, University Of Oklahoma. |
| Robert E. and Mary B. Sturgis Scholarship,2007-2008, University Of Oklahoma.Cleo Cross International Student Scholarship for the best performance in acadmic,2007-2008, University Of Oklahoma. |
| Sooner Heritage Scholarship 2005-06, University Of Oklahoma. |
| University Scholarship (Best performance of the GSQ examination 1999), University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. |
MEMBERSHIPS & ACTIVITIES IN PROFESSIONAL BODIES
| Reviewer for Applied Physics Letters (2023-August-present). |
| Member of the Board of Management of S-L Mobility Pvt. Ltd. and University of Ruhuna Joint-Research Center (Developing Electric Vehicle and related Technologies.)(2021- 2023) |
| Chairman, 19th Academic Sessions of University of Ruhuna(Annual Research Conference of University of Ruhuna), Sri Lanka (March 2022). |
| Chairman, Board of Studies (Post Graduate), Faculty of Technology, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. (2020-2023) |
| Chairman, Faculty Quality Assurance Cell, Faculty of Technology, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. (2016-2020). |
| Referee for Journal of Physics |
| Member of American Physical Society |
| Member of the Sri Lanka Association of the Advancement of Science (SLAAS) |
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Engineering applications and process development.
|
Theoretical condensed matter physics.
|