ChemiELetter

From the Desk of Head

Dear Colleagues, Students, and Alumni,
I'm thrilled to share some of the Department of Chemical Engineering's most noteworthy moments as another incredible year draws to a close, honoring our collective successes and unwavering spirit of innovation.

We proudly inaugurated two cutting-edge facilities this year: the Jeet Bindra Postgraduate Student Lounge and the Postgraduate Research Lab. These spaces are already fostering creativity, collaboration, and pioneering research among our graduate students. We are deeply grateful to our generous donor, Shri Jagjeet Singh Bindra (BT/CHE/1964), whose support made these projects a reality. We also extend sincere appreciation to Dr. Rajeev Gautam (BT/CHE/1974) for establishing the “Rajeev and Joyce Gautam Student Travel Grant” and the “Om Prakash Gautam Faculty Chair.”

In September 2024, we welcomed Dr. Salman Ahmad Khan to our department. His expertise in computational tools for studying disordered catalysts and advancing scientific machine learning enriches our research and teaching capabilities. We look forward to the groundbreaking contributions he will bring to our academic community.

Our faculty and students have made significant strides in advancing chemical engineering research. Notable honors include: Dr. Animangsu Ghatak receiving fellowships from both INSA and NASI; Prof. Siddhartha Panda being elected as an INAE Fellow; Dr. Dipin Pillai being recognized as an INAE Young Associate; and Dr. Rahul Mangal being inducted into NASI for his pioneering contributions.

To our esteemed alumni, your engagement and support mean the world to us. Your mentorship, expertise, and generosity shape the next generation of chemical engineers. Please stay involved through our events, newsletters and social platforms.

As we celebrate a year of remarkable achievements, we look forward with enthusiasm to the milestones yet to come. May the new year bring joy, peace, and prosperity to you and your loved ones.

As I prepare to pass the mantle of leadership, I am filled with gratitude and pride. Leading the Department of Chemical Engineering has been one of the greatest honors of my career. Together, we have advanced research, cultivated talent, and fostered a collaborative community driven by innovation. Our collective accomplishments—in pioneering research, academic excellence, and industry partnerships—reflect the department’s exceptional dedication and brilliance.

I am confident the department will continue to thrive under new leadership, guided by a shared vision and a steadfast commitment to progress. The future holds even greater promise.

Thank you for your trust, support, and hard work throughout my tenure. I leave with cherished memories and deep respect for all that we have accomplished together.

Dr. Jayant K Singh
Professor & Head

What’s Brewing in Our Labs? Unveiling New Research Horizons!

Recognition for Faculty

Congratulations to Prof. Animangsu Ghatak on being elected to the fellowship of National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI)

Prof. Ghatak, renowned for his work on soft materials, wetting, adhesion, fracture mechanics, elasto-capillarity, and bio-inspired materials. His research spans soft-bodied objects, soft optical lenses, gels, and microfluidics. A recipient of the prestigious SERB-STAR award, he is also a Fellow of INAE and INSA, marking another significant achievement in his distinguished career.

Please join us in warmly welcoming our newest faculty member Dr. Salman Ahmad Khan in the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kanpur.

With his impressive background in modeling complex catalysts and rare events simulation methods, Dr. Khan is set to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our team. We’re thrilled to have him on board and can’t wait for him to start working with our students and colleagues.

Congratulations to Prof. Dipin S. Pillai on becoming Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) Young Associates – 2024

Prof. Dipin S. Pillai has already made a significant mark in developing reduced-order models for physico-chemical transport processes to gain analytical or semi-analytical insights. Prof. Pillai research interests include Stability Theory, Nonlinear Dynamics, Reduced-Order Modeling, Hydrodynamic Stability, Thin Films, Electrohydrodynamics, Multiphase flows.

Congratulations to Prof. Siddhartha Panda on being elected as a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) – 2024

Prof. Panda’s research interests include transport phenomena, reaction engineering, materials processing and micro/nano fabrication for the development of chemical sensors using printable flexible electronics and silicon electronics based platforms. His recent innovations, namely the Haptic Smart Watch and Strip-based test to detect neonatal jaundice, have been pathbreaking and are certain to impact many lives.

Congratulations to Prof. Raghvendra Singh for receiving the Excellence-in-Teaching award at IIT Kanpur for the year 2024

The Awards for Excellence in Teaching recognize faculty members who inspire and facilitate students learning in ways that make a positive influence on how students think, engage and work. Prof. Raghvendra's key research interests include Stem Cells, Stochastic Processes, Systems Biology, Statistical Mechanics, Cancer Stem Cells, and Signal Transduction.

Congratulations to Prof. Rahul Mangal for being selected as a Member of National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI).

National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), Allahabad is the oldest of the three prestigious science academies in the country, with the objectives to provide a national forum for the publication of research work carried out by Indian scientists and to provide opportunities for exchange of views among them. Our heartiest congratulations to Prof. Mangal and best wishes for his future endeavors.

Alumni Achievements

Congratulations to our alumnus Mr. Gaurav Mathur (BT/CHE/1989) on becoming the CEO of Epsilon Carbon!

With over 30 years of experience in Specialty Chemicals, Paints & Coatings, APIs, and Fertilizers, Mr. Mathur has made significant strides in business integration, supply chain, and leadership. We are proud to see him continue his journey after leading roles at Chambal Fertilisers, Teva Pharmaceuticals, and AkzoNobel. Wishing him all the best in his new role!

Congratulations to our alumnus Mr. Rajat Dhawan (BT/CHE/1994), Senior Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company, India for receiving the Distinguished Alumnus Award (DAA) 2024!

The Distinguished Alumnus Award (DAA), started in 1989, is the highest award given by IIT Kanpur to its alumni in recognition of their outstanding achievements. Every year, the institute works with its alumni to honour individuals who have made a mark in their respective fields of expertise.

Congratulations to our alumnus Mr. Rahul Gautam (BT/CHE/1975) Chairman & MD of Sheela Foam, for being honored as one of the '𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗜𝗧𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀'!

Your remarkable journey and Legacy of Building India's Story make us proud. 🏆 His inclusion among this distinguished cohort of 100 individuals, chosen from a pool of approximately 250,000 IIT alumni is a testament to his remarkable achievements and contribution to the industry. Join us in celebrating these extraordinary achievements and their enduring impact on IITK and beyond!

Recognition for Student

Congratulations to Ms. Sajal Wankhede (19102279) for being awarded the Jeet Bindra Student Travel Grant!

The Jeet Bindra Student Travel Grant aims to facilitate the academic and professional growth of students in Chemical Engineering by enabling them to present their research at international conferences. This grant not only provides financial assistance but also encourages students to engage with the global academic community, enhancing their research experience and broadening their professional networks.

Congratulations to Mr. A. S. Rusell (20102261) for being awarded the Jeet Bindra Student Travel Grant!

The Jeet Bindra Student Travel Grant aims to facilitate the academic and professional growth of students in Chemical Engineering by enabling them to present their research at international conferences. This grant not only provides financial assistance but also encourages students to engage with the global academic community, enhancing their research experience and broadening their professional networks.

Congratulations to our PhD student, Mr. Nikil Surya R for being awarded with the 2nd Prize for the Best Young Scientist Oral Presentation at the 3rd International Conf. on Unconventional Catalysis, Reactors and Applications, held on 17–20 September 2024 in Warsaw, Poland.

His presentation, "Dry reforming of methane in molten In-Sn alloy," was recognized by hubergroup Poland Sp. z o.o. as one of the best young scientist oral presentations. Well done, Nikil! 👏

Congratulations to our M.Tech student, Mr. Shreepad Ravindra Gunge for being awarded with the Best Oral Presentation award at the CEES 2024 Conference, organized in association with Catalysis Society of India(CSI) & CO₂ India Network.

His presentation, titled "Effect of Metal Loading over Ni/Al2O3 for Ammonia Decomposition," stood out among the participants at CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad, held from 18-20 September 2024. We're proud of his achievement! 👏

Notable Research

Pattern Formation in Evaporating Polymer Solutions─Interplay between Dewetting and Decomposition

Confinement induced alteration in interfacial energy in aqueous surfactant systems

PDMS nanoparticles-decorated PDMS substrate promotes adhesion, proliferation and differentiation of skin cells

Probing the ionic activation enthalpies in anionic polysaccharide xerogel-based single ion conductor for temperature sensing

Optimizing adsorption refrigeration with MOF-propane integration: a sustainable approach†

PET-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots as Nano Tracers for Sandstone Reservoirs

Jeet Bindra Distinguished Lecture 2024

Talk Title : The Carbon Challenge: Background, Current Status and Evolving Carbon Capture Technologies

Speaker - Dr. Ramesh Gupta

Dr. Ramesh Gupta's talk highlights the urgent need to address CO₂ accumulation in Earth’s atmosphere caused by the extensive use of fossil fuels. This buildup drives global warming, threatening climate stability and human welfare. The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to 1.5˚C by the century's end.
Dr. Gupta outlines two key strategies for managing atmospheric CO₂: Reducing Emissions which includes transitioning to renewable energy, electrifying transportation, and re-engineering high-emission industries like steel and cement. Hydrogen production as a clean fuel is also advancing & the second strategy of Carbon Capture and Storage focuses on technologies like liquid amines and solid sorbents that can capture CO₂ from major sources. However, due to high costs, this approach is feasible only at select industrial sites. In a nutshell, combining large-scale emission reduction with targeted carbon capture technologies is essential for meaningful climate action.

IIT Kanpur signed a MoU with Steel Authority of India Limited

This MoU aims to advance their joint efforts in addressing key technological challenges within the steel industry.

The MoU was signed between Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean, R&D, IIT Kanpur; and Mr. Sandip Kumar Kar, Executive Director, R&D Center for Iron & Steel (RDCIS), SAIL in the presence of Shri. Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, Govt of India; Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur; Mr. Amarendu Prakash, Chairman of SAIL; Prof. Braj Bhushan, Deputy Director of IITK; Prof. Shalabh, Dean of Academic Affairs, IITK; Prof. Kantesh Balani, Head of Materials Science and Engineering, IITK; and Prof. Jayant K Singh, Head of Chemical Engineering, IITK.

With this partnership, IITK strengthens its commitment to R&D for technological innovation in the steel industry through the formation of a Section 8 company with the Ministry of Steel’s support. This will leverage our inherent strengths in digital technologies, including modeling and simulation, to address critical challenges faced by the country in the steel sector.

Inauguration of the Jeet Bindra PG Research Lab and Jeet Bindra Student Lounge

New Initiatives

We are delighted to announce the inauguration of the Jeet Bindra PG Research Lab and Jeet Bindra Student Lounge in the Department of Chemical Engineering, made possible by the generous support of our esteemed alumnus, Mr. Jagjeet Singh Bindra (BT/CHE/1969).

Jeet Bindra Student Lounge

The new Chemical Engineering postgraduate lounge, inspired by European elegance, offers a vibrant space for relaxation, collaboration, and connection. With comfortable seating, collaborative areas, and a welcoming ambiance, this state-of-the-art facility supports students in balancing academic commitments with personal well-being.

Jeet Bindra PG Research Lab

Student Experience

Dheeraj Kumar Matania, an IIT Kanpur M.Tech. student, shared his May-July 2024 research internship experience at NTU Singapore

The Global Connect Fellowship (GCF) offered an invaluable opportunity to engage with individuals worldwide and gain insights from diverse perspectives. NTU’s campus is not only stunning but also equipped with cutting-edge facilities. The weekly masterclasses led by experts were profoundly enriching, and the group activities were excellent for building social connections. Being a part of one of the world’s leading universities and working under esteemed professors was immensely satisfying. My research focused on the importance of machine learning in predicting the phases of high entropy alloys (HEAs). Overall, the experience exceeded my expectations.

Global Connect Fellowship is a prestigious two-month funded research internship offered annually by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) for various academic disciplines.

Happy Hour

Freshers Party

Renovation and New Facilities: A Nostalgic Journey from Then to Now

Upcoming Events - Exergy' 25

EXERGY'25 marks the third edition of India’s nationwide Chemical Engineering festival, organized by the Chemineers Society, IIT Kanpur. The festival embodies the essence of Exergy—extending beyond thermodynamics to represent the realization of our full potential as chemical engineering enthusiasts. Scheduled for January 31^st to 2^nd February 2025, this exciting event promises an enriching blend of competitions, knowledge-sharing, and hands-on learning.

Highlights of EXERGY'25:

• Competitions
• Panel Discussions
• Talks
• Workshops
• Fun Competitions
• Lab Tours

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Upcoming Alumni Reunions

Relive Memories, Reconnect with Friends, and Celebrate Together at the IIT Kanpur Reunion!

Newsletter Team

Jayant K Singh

Professor & Head

Akash Choudhary

Assistant Professor
Dept. Publicity(Convenor)

Himanshu Sharma

Assistant Professor

Rahul Mangal

Associate Professor

Salman Ahmad Khan