Tag IIT Roorkee

Roorkee, Uttarakhand, 6th September 2024: The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), an institution with a rich legacy of 177 years, celebrated Teachers’ Day with grandeur at the OP Jain Auditorium, Department of Civil Engineering. The event paid homage to the late Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a visionary educator and the second President of India. The celebration was graced by the presence of Prof. K.K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, Prof. U.P. Singh, Deputy Director, Prof. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Dean of Faculty Affairs, along with other esteemed Deans, Associate Deans, and Heads of Departments.

On this special occasion, IIT Roorkee recognized and honored faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding dedication and excellence in teaching and research. These awards underscore the institute’s commitment to fostering academic brilliance and innovation, which have been the hallmarks of IIT Roorkee throughout its long and illustrious history.

Prof. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Dean of Faculty Affairs, IIT Roorkee, also shared his thoughts on the occasion, saying, “Our teachers are the backbone of this institution. Their dedication and passion are what make IIT Roorkee a leader in education and research. I congratulate all the award winners for their exceptional work and their invaluable contributions to the lives of our students and the broader society.”

The following faculty members were honored with the Excellence in Teaching and Research Awards for 2024:

Undergraduate (UG) Category:

· Prof. Shiv Kumar Gupta, Department of Mathematics (more than 80 students)

· Prof. Nikhil Kumar Singh, Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering (31-80 students)

· Prof. Sudheer Kumar Tiwari, Department of Earth Sciences (Young Faculty, 31 or more students)

Postgraduate (PG) Category:

· Prof. Gopinath Packirisamy, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering (10 or more students)

· Prof. Sourabh Arora, Department of Management Studies (Young Faculty, 10 or more students)

Lifetime Teaching Achievement Award:

· Prof. Pradeep Kumar, Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering

In addition, Prof. Manil T. Mohan, Department of Mathematics, was honored with the Prof. Bal Krishna Outstanding Teacher Award (2024), while Prof. Yogesh Kumar Sharma, Department of Physics, received the Ramkumar Prize for Outstanding Teaching & Research (2024).

IIT Roorkee also recognized the efforts of those faculty members who featured in the top five in various UG and PG categories but did not receive awards. As a token of appreciation for their exemplary work, these faculty members will be given appreciation letters acknowledging their significant contributions to the institute’s academic environment.

Prof. U.P. Singh, Deputy Director, IIT Roorkee, remarked, “Our faculty’s dedication drives IIT Roorkee’s success. I congratulate the awardees for their exceptional contributions to education and research, helping maintain our institution’s excellence.”

IIT Roorkee’s journey of 177 years is marked by a legacy of producing some of the most prominent alumni who have made significant contributions to society, industry, and academia. From pioneers in engineering to leaders in innovation, IIT Roorkee’s alumni have been instrumental in shaping the future of technology and education in India and across the globe. The institute’s commitment to excellence in education is reflected in its continuous efforts to nurture talent and foster an environment of innovation and research.

Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, expressed his admiration for the awardees, stating, “IIT Roorkee has always been a beacon of knowledge, nurturing minds that go on to make significant contributions to society. Today, we honor those educators who not only impart knowledge but also inspire, encourage, and ignite curiosity in their students. Their relentless pursuit of excellence is what drives our institution forward, maintaining its stature as a premier institute of higher learning.”

The Excellence in Teaching Award, which includes a Citation, a memento, and a cash prize of ₹1.0 lakh, was presented to the deserving faculty members as a token of appreciation for their hard work and commitment to excellence.

As IIT Roorkee continues its journey of academic excellence, it remains steadfast in its mission to contribute to the advancement of knowledge and the betterment of society. The institute’s dedication to fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and societal impact will continue to inspire future generations of educators and students alike.

Roorkee, 12-08-2024: Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) and Prayas Greentech Private Limited, a start-up, have signed Technology Transfer Agreements on the technologies that have been developed at IIT Roorkee by Faculty Prof. Prasenjit Mondal related to methods for recycling of waste plastics.

The inventions developed at IIT Roorkee with the help of CO Col Pranav Mishra, 59 Engineering Regiment Indian Army for field trial, provide a low-cost, eco-friendly process for recycling waste polyethylene packets through the production of value-added products like trackway planks and systems using composite prepared from waste plastics and other wastes. The assault trackway will be highly competitative to the existing products.

Regarding the program, Yash Dua, Director, Prayas Greentech Private Limited said, “We anticipate that these technologies will play a crucial role in recycling waste plastics as it will address the issue of littering landscape which leads to harmful environmental consequences. It provides sustainable utilisation of the waste plastics by recycling, making innovtive plastics based products resulting in less emissions, less fossil energy use, less harm to the environment”.

Speaking on the collaboration with Prayas Greentech Private Limited, Prof. Akshay Dvivedi, Dean of Sponsor Research and Industrial Consultancy (SRIC), IIT Roorkee, said, “At IIT Roorkee, our mission is to seamlessly connect academic research with industry needs. The recent technology transfers to Prayas Greentech Private Limited represent a significant step towards addressing the critical challenge of waste plastics. These innovative methods not only offer sustainable solutions for managing plastic waste but also align with both economic viability and environmental responsibility, meeting the urgent needs of our time.”

Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, highlighted, “We are confident that this partnership will demonstrate a high efficiency in converting waste plastic into reusable materials, with a clear outline of the expected reduction in waste volume. This technology transfer underscores our unwavering pursuit of excellence and our dedication to making a significant impact on the technological front. Our recycling technology utilizes advanced methods to efficiently process various types of waste plastic, offering significant reductions in environmental impact.”

July 22, 2024:  The Department of Hydro and Renewable Energy at Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee successfully hosted an international workshop on hydrokinetic technology as part of its Centre of Excellence R&D initiative. This event featured over 45 participants from across India, with four distinguished international speakers from Canada, Norway, Malaysia, and Germany joining online to present their pioneering research.

Dr. Sangita Kasture, Adviser, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), inaugurated the workshop and lauded the participants and organizers for their commitment to advancing carbon-neutral and environmentally friendly technologies.

Dr. Sangita Kasture, Adviser, MNRE, remarked, “This workshop is a testament to the innovative spirit and dedication of the participants and organizers. The discussions and findings presented here will significantly contribute to making hydrokinetic technology a viable and reliable renewable energy source.”

Participants included representatives from various government bodies such as MNRE, UJVNL, DIBER-DRDO, and NVVNL-NTPC, alongside leading manufacturers and industry players like the Canadian Hydrokinetic Turbine Test Center, Energyminer, Tidal Sails, TERI, Kirloskar Brothers Group, Swasti Power Pvt. Ltd., Flovel Energy Pvt. Ltd., Maini Renewables, and MACLEC Pvt. Ltd. Academic institutions such as IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Madras, SCET Surat, BBEC Assam, and BITS Pilani also presented their latest research findings on hydrokinetic energy designs.

Throughout the workshop, participants engaged in insightful sessions covering various themes, including an overview of hydrokinetic technology, methodologies for assessing hydrokinetic site potential, and demonstrations of both current and future hydrokinetic technologies by Indian and international delegates.

The workshop highlighted the significant societal impact and importance of hydrokinetic technology, showcasing its potential to revolutionize energy generation with minimal environmental footprint. By offering a clean and sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources, hydrokinetic technology can provide reliable electricity to remote and underserved communities, thus promoting energy equity. The economic discussions emphasized the role of this technology in reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. Experts underscored the necessity for further research to overcome deployment barriers and enhance technical aspects like computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and design efficiency. Achieving Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 9 by 2030 will not only advance the technology but also ensure its scalability and integration at the community level, driving economic growth, job creation, and a sustainable future. IIT Roorkee’s commitment to this innovative field underscores its pivotal role in fostering renewable energy solutions and environmental stewardship.

Prof. Arun Kumar, Prof. C. S. Pant, and Prof MK Singhal , along with a dedicated team of researchers, were instrumental in organizing this impactful workshop.

Prof. Arun Kumar stated, “The workshop demonstrated the critical role that collaborative research and industry partnerships play in advancing hydrokinetic technology. Our collective efforts will pave the way for sustainable and renewable energy solutions.”

Talking about the workshop, Prof. K.K. Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, said, “We are proud to host such significant events that foster innovation and collaboration. IIT Roorkee is committed to driving forward the development of sustainable technologies that will benefit society at large.”

16/02/2024: The Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) organized a three-day International Chemical Engineering Conference on Energy, Environment, and Sustainability (ICECEES-2024) from February 15-17, 2024. This was to commemorate 60 years of the Institute’s establishment. The theme of the conference included all major domains of Chemical Engineering, such as Circular Economy, Sustainable and Renewable Energy, Green Processes, and Transfer Processes and Computational Modeling. The conference intended to provide a platform for the exchange of ideas among people working at different levels in academia and industries. Faculty members, scientists, persons from industries and other government agencies, research scholars, students, etc., participated in the conference.

The Department of Chemical Engineering was established in 1963 with an undergraduate program in Chemical Engineering. The department grew over the years and set very high standards in teaching and cutting-edge research. Over the years, the department has supported the local chemical and process industries. The department currently has 25 faculty members and over 500 students. The Department also has high-end analytical instruments like BET surface area analyzer, LCMS, HPLC, UV spectrometer, FTIR analyzer, rheometer, micro-PIV, high-speed camera, Raman spectroscopy, etc. The department focuses research work in the broad areas of chemical engineering, such as liquid and solid waste management, green catalysis, sustainable energy, energy storage, process design and intensification, process modelling and simulation, drug delivery, transport and separation processes, process safety, CO2 capture and utilization, and biochemical and bioprocess engineering. The department runs a Center of Excellence in Petrochemicals sponsored by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers, and the Government of India.

Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee (Patron) graced the event along with Chief Guest Ms Vartika Shukla, CMD, EIL and Prof. Shishir Sinha, DG, CIPET (Co-Patron). Notable eminent speakers included Prof. Shizhang Qiao, The University of Adelaide, Australia, Prof. Kumar Patchigolla, Teesside University, UK, Prof. Sophie Hermans, Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium; Prof. Luís Miguel Madeira, The University of Porto, Portugal, Dr. D.K. Chandraker, BARC and HBNI, Mumbai, Dr. Thallada Bhaskar, CSIR-IIP, Dehradun, Prof. Sirshendu De, IIT Kharagpur, Prof. Peter Englezos, The University of British Columbia, Canada, Prof. Nagu Daraboina, The University of Tulsa, USA, Prof. Shijun N. Raveendran, The University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, Prof Panagiota Angeli, University College London, UK, Prof. Ju Dong Lee, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, South Korea, Dr. Syed G. Dastager, CSIR-NCL, Pune, and Prof. Hem Raj Pant, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

Commenting on the conference’s motif, Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, avers, “ICECEES provides a forum for all the eminent participants to showcase their research and address the emerging future challenges pertaining to the theme of the conference. The participants will have the opportunity to present their recent research findings on an extended spectrum of conference topics and be informed about new challenges, future trends, and technological innovations on sustainable processes following the principles of circular economy.”

Chief Guest Ms Vartika Shukla, Chairman & Managing Director at Engineers India Limited (EIL), New Delhi, said, “The Conference will provide an opportunity to the students, researchers, scientists and stakeholders to develop new thoughts in the areas of sustainable energy and environment which is the need of the hour. Efforts are to be made to utilize the sustainable, green and renewable resources to make the society carbon free..

Roorkee, February 03, 2024 – Rethink! The Tinkering Lab, a dynamic multi-disciplinary central facility of IIT Roorkee, stands as a crucible for nurturing curiosity, creativity, and imagination among young minds. Dedicated to cultivating essential skills such as design thinking, computational prowess, adaptive learning, and physical computing, the lab has become a beacon of innovation.

With a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, the lab supports the design and implementation of diverse prototypes, elevating their technology readiness level. Committed to comprehensive skill development, the lab conducts workshops, training programs, facility exposure initiatives, expert talks, and webinars throughout the year. These initiatives aim to foster innovative thinking and instill curiosity among students, researchers, and faculties, aligning with the Institute Innovation Council (IIC) mandate.

Notably, Rethink! The Tinkering Lab has embarked on a groundbreaking endeavor with the support of the Technology Innovation Hub, iHub DivyaSampark, at IIT Roorkee. This collaborative effort has birthed a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to research and innovation in Cyber Physical Systems.

The distinguished presence of key personalities elevated the inaugural ceremony. Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director of IIT Roorkee, lent visionary leadership, while Prof. Apurbba Kumar Sharma, Dean Academics, added valuable academic insights. Dr. J.B.V Reddy, Scientist-F at DST, and Ms. Rajani Kushwaha, JA, NM-ICPS, DST, brought scientific excellence to the forefront. Sh. Manish Anand, CEO of iHub-DivyaSampark, infused an entrepreneurial spirit, complemented by the collective expertise of Prof. Vivek Kumar Malik, Associate Dean of Innovation & Incubation, Prof. Sai Ramudu Meka, Associate Dean of Corporate Interaction, and Prof. Karun Rawat, Coordinator of Rethink! The Tinkering Lab.

Address the gathering Prof. K. K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee said, “We believe in nurturing a culture of innovation and exploration at IIT Roorkee, and the inauguration of the cutting-edge Cyber Physical Systems facility at Rethink! The Tinkering Lab marks a significant leap towards this commitment. This state-of-the-art hub is designed to inspire the curiosity, creativity, and imagination of our students, setting the stage for groundbreaking research and innovation. As we delve into the future of technology, we envision our students becoming pioneers in shaping the world through their inventive endeavors.”

The newly established facility boasts a cutting-edge studio equipped with Motion Sensing Cameras, drone kits, and comprehensive support for the manufacturing of drone parts. It aims to be a catalyst for students involved in validating and testing control algorithms for autonomous ground and flying vehicles. The Motion-Sensing Lab within the facility opens doors to extensive biomechanics studies, spanning applications in athletics, yoga, and posture correction.

Beyond traditional research, the facility emerges as a hotbed for innovation in augmented and virtual reality. Students are empowered to apply innovative ideas in this burgeoning field. Notably, the potential for creating promotional virtual tours in augmented and virtual reality holds the promise of attracting tourism towards major attractions such as Chardham Yatra and Ganga-Arti events in Uttarakhand.

This collaborative initiative underlines the lab’s commitment to introducing new interdisciplinary technologies, fostering a culture of innovation, and contributing to the thriving start-up ecosystem. Rethink! The Tinkering Lab’s relentless pursuit of excellence positions IIT Roorkee at the forefront of technological advancements and innovation in academia.