Chemical Engineering Department

Head's Message

From the Desk of Head

Happy New Year, alumni and friends!
It brings me great pleasure to welcome you to the latest edition of our Chemical Engineering department newsletter. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of our discipline, this newsletter stands as a testament to the collective achievements, knowledge-sharing and camaraderie that defines our department.

In this edition of our newsletter, we spotlight groundbreaking advancements in distinct areas—soil testing devices, oral cancer detection and a bilirubin detection kit—each exemplifying the transformative power of innovation. Our foray into soil testing technologies showcases a collaborative effort amongst our researchers to develop a cutting-edge soil testing device. This device leverages state-of-the-art sensors and data analytics to provide accurate and real-time insights into soil health. As we navigate the challenges of sustainable agriculture, this innovation promises to revolutionize the way we understand and manage soil ecosystems.

In the realm of healthcare, our commitment to innovative technologies is evident in the development of an oral cancer detection system. Harnessing the capabilities of visual imaging technology, our researchers have created a non-invasive and highly sensitive tool for early detection of oral cancer. This technology has the potential to significantly impact patient outcomes and advance the field of cancer diagnostics. Additionally, we are proud to present a bilirubin detection kit that showcases the convergence of chemical engineering and biotechnology. The novel electrochemical sensing strip has three variants that can simultaneously detect the direct and total bilirubin in a single drop of blood and deliver results within a minute. This novel kit offers a selective and efficient means for detecting bilirubin, a critical liver biomarker & hence is a promising tool in clinical diagnostics to address neonatal jaundice that is a prevalent health issue faced by newborns in India.

These innovative technologies underscore our department's commitment to addressing real-world challenges through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration. I encourage you to explore the detailed features of these projects within this newsletter and appreciate the depth of creativity and ingenuity demonstrated by our faculty, researchers and students.

This edition also features some of the selected top-tier research papers published by our esteemed faculty, providing a glimpse into the cutting-edge research happening within our department. Our students are the heartbeat of our department and this issue proudly showcases the enriching experiences they gained during their internships. Equally noteworthy are the achievements of our esteemed staff members, whose unwavering commitment contributes significantly to the success of our department. Looking ahead, we have exciting plans for the upcoming months. Our faculty members are actively engaged in research projects spanning from sustainable energy solutions to advanced materials development. I encourage each of you to explore these opportunities and contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our department.

Our alumni hold a special place in our success story, and I extend a warm invitation for you to reconnect with us, share your experiences and offer insights. Your engagement is invaluable as we collectively shape the future of our department. In conclusion, I express my heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering dedication and diligence exhibited by our esteemed chemical engineering faculty and students. Together, we are poised to continue expanding the frontiers of knowledge and effecting positive change in society through our research, educational endeavors and innovative pursuits.

Thank you for being an integral part of the Chemical Engineering Department.

Dr. Jayant K Singh
Professor & Head

Spotlight

Innovative Technologies Under the Spotlight

भूपरीक्षक (Bhu Parikshak) V 2.0

The Smart Bhu Parikshak is a rapid soil testing device based on IoT technology developed by Prof. Jayant Singh and his group. It is a lightweight and portable smart device for the determination of soil nutrients. The device is designed to provide on-field, real-time soil analysis. The device has near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy sensors. It shows the result within 90 seconds on an android phone with a mobile application, can monitor soil health, and accordingly, can provide fertilizer and crop recommendations. It can determine multiple soil parameters simultaneously like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Organic carbon (OC), Soil texture (Clay), and Cation exchange (CEC). There is no requirement for prior sample preparation. It also has the facility to keep a record of previous analyses. It is a very low-power device with battery backup that can analyze 120 soil samples on a single charge. However, the predicted life of the Smart Bhu Parikshak is five years, and it is capable of analyzing 1 million samples. Overall, it aims to help farmers achieve better yield and, thus, increase their productivity and profitability.

IIT Kanpur has signed MoU with AgroNxt Sevices Pvt Ltd to manufacture and deliver the product to the market.
Interested Farmers/ Individuals can contact AgroNxt Services for the Bhu-Parikshak. https://agronxt.com/

Electrochemical Sensor for Bilirubin Analysis in Human Blood/Serum

The technology, developed at the National Centre for Flexible Electronics (NCFlexE) at IIT-K by Prof Siddhartha Panda of department of chemical engineering and Dr Nishant Verma, comprises of a non-enzymatic electrochemical sensing strip that can simultaneously detect total bilirubin in a single drop of blood within a minute.
The non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor is specifically designed for accurate detection of bilirubin levels in clinical samples. Bilirubin is a pigment in our blood, detecting the level of which can help diagnose certain health conditions, such as Neonatal jaundice. It is a prevalent clinical condition, affecting roughly 60% of full-term and 80% of preterm new-borns with a mortality rate of 7.3 per 1000 live births in India. The conventional methods of detection have limitations. The developed sensor is portable, affordable and can be directly applicable for blood sample analysis without the need for any preliminary processing steps. This sensor is expected to be used for bedside testing, in diagnostic laboratories, and even in health screening centres.

OraScan: Oral Cancer/Precancer Detection Non-Invasive Hand-Held Device

OraScan is an oral cancer detection device developed by Prof. Jayant Singh and his collaborators. Since the high mortality and morbidity associated with oral cancer is primarily due to delay in diagnosis, OraScan is meant to break that barrier and help patients seek early treatment. OraScan is an optical device powered by AI/ML tools that helps predict and classify the lesion in question through a mobile app. The fundamental principle used here is the property of autofluorescence that normal healthy tissues display and affected dysplastic mucosa does not. The major benefit of Orascan is that it is a completely noninvasive diagnostic and screening device, unlike any other technique presently used in oral cancer detection countrywide. It is also very easy to use, simple, portable, and low-cost equipment that anyone can use, even without expert personnel. Since the database is available on the cloud, telemedicine can also be integrated as and when needed. These features make it reliable to use anywhere and anytime, even in remote areas where basic health facilities are difficult to reach. One can imagine the benefits when a patient can receive a chairside preliminary diagnosis without any hassles or invasive techniques used and can be directed accordingly to seek relevant treatment options and counseling.

Happy Electro-Thermo-Chemical Diwali!

Three Plasma-ElectroChemical systems with different emissive colors indicative of different temperatures accessed by three different electrolytes. High applied electrochemical potential (~ 30 to 80 V) facilitates very high electronic “temperatures,” and electro-thermo-chemical processes in the vicinity of the electrodes enable high atomic “temperatures.” The simultaneous coexistence of elevated electronic and atomic “temperatures” paves the way for exotic reductions and oxidations of complex molecules pursued by the PhD students Raviraj (ChE), Nandita (MSP), Monu (Phy), Shyam Sundar Lakesar (Phy) and Ankit (Phy) under the supervision of Raj Pala (ChE) and K. P. Rajeev (Phy). Picture Courtesy: Shyam Sundar Lakesar

Research

Notable Research by Faculty

Studying kinetics of a surface reaction using elastocapillary effect

Nitish Singh, Ajeet Kumar and Animangsu Ghatak
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 645, 266-275 (2023)

The current analytical methods employed for investigating the kinetics of diverse physical, chemical, and biological processes exhibit numerous limitations. Many of these techniques are tailored to specific material types, involve intricate and multifaceted sample preparation steps, and struggle with real-time, in situ monitoring. Furthermore, these methods often prove inadequate when events unfold in locations that are challenging to directly measure.

Machine Learning-Driven Discovery of Key Descriptors for CO₂ Activation over Two Dimensional Transition Metal Carbides and Nitrides

BM Abraham, O Piqué, MA Khan, F Viñes, F Illas, J K Singh
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 15 (25) 30117-30126 (2023)

The elevated concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the Earth's atmosphere poses a significant environmental threat due to its primary role in global warming. Extensive global efforts have been initiated to mitigate this threat. The surge in CO₂ levels is primarily attributed to widespread deforestation and the extensive use of fossil fuels. This has resulted in a continuous increase in CO₂ concentration, projected to reach approximately 590 ppm by the year 2100. This rise is expected to cause a global temperature increase of 1.9 °C, leading to ocean acidification and detrimental consequences for marine ecosystems.

Presently, efforts are being made globally to partially control increasing CO₂ emissions by either converting it into valuable carbon-based fuels/chemicals or by storing it in stabilized media. To achieve a meaningful impact on both the environment and the economy, it is imperative to utilize CO₂ rather than merely storing it. This involves unlocking its potential and catalyzing profitable industrial applications. Various catalysts have been explored for CO₂ activation and reduction, including different metal oxides, pure metals and alloys, organometallics, single-atom catalysts, non-metals, and nano-metals.

Studies have shown that metals such as Cd, Sn, In, Pd, and Bi facilitate the formation of formic acid from CO₂, while Ti, Zn, and Au efficiently convert CO₂ into CO. These investigations reveal that the interaction between CO₂ and metal surfaces can occur through either strong or weak binding modes. Strong interactions, leading to metal–carbon (M–C) overbonding, may poison the catalyst surface, rendering active sites inaccessible for further CO₂ reduction. On the other hand, weak bonding between CO₂ and a metal surface may hinder the dissociation of the CO₂ C–O bond, favouring desorption over bond scission and impeding the formation of desired products.

Considering the substantial C–O bond enthalpy in the CO₂ molecule (803 kJ·mol–1 ), the activation of CO₂ proves to be a viable approach to lower reaction conditions and energy demands. Therefore, a comprehensive activation analysis is crucial when designing novel catalysts, employing rational approaches to uncover the factors governing both activity and selectivity during reactive processes.

Integrating state-of-the-art quantum mechanical screening methods with cutting-edge artificial intelligence strategies represents a pivotal, potentially groundbreaking scientific endeavor. This synergy has the power to unveil novel frontiers in catalyst discovery. In this context, the authors employ this innovative approach to identify crucial descriptors for the activation of CO₂ on twodimensional transition metal (TM) carbides/nitrides (MXenes).

Find more about this research work via (Link)

Selective detection of bilirubin in blood serum using UV–Vis spectroelectrochemistry technique with CeO₂-CNF/ITO transparent electrode

Haider Ali, Rahul Gupta, Nishith Verma
Electrochimica Acta, 468, 143159 (2023)

A spectroelectrochemical sensor was developed to selectively detect the liver biomarker bilirubin (BR) through UV–Vis spectroscopy. The sensing electrode utilized a substrate of indium tin oxide, coated with novel CeO₂-capped carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The CNFs were grown over CeO₂ nanoparticles using acetylene as the carbon source.

Highlights

Recognition for faculty

Our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Siddhartha Panda for jointly recieving the 'Best Assisted Technology Initiatives by Educational Institutes’ award at ATF Awards 2023

The ATF award was presented by Shri. Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Technology, Government of Karnataka, and was received jointly by Prof. Siddhartha Panda from the Department of Chemical Engineering for the technologies titled, "Haptic smartwatch for blind and visually impaired", "Single Refreshable Braille Cell Based Braille Learning Device with a Touch Sensitive" and Prof. Braj Bhushan from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Congratulations to Prof. Y.M. Joshi for being awarded the prestigious J.C. Bose Fellowship by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) for a period of 5 years

Prof. Y.M. Joshi's pioneering work has not only earned him recognition within the scientific community but has also made a profound impact on society as a whole. His dedication to pushing the boundaries of knowledge and finding solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing our world today is truly commendable. The JC Bose Fellowship is specifically for active scientists with a demonstrated record of outstanding performance as evidenced by either receiving the SS Bhatnagar Prize or being a fellow of science academies.

Our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Jayant K. Singh on being honored with the INAE-SERB Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship for the year 2023

The Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) bestows this distinguished award upon exceptional engineers, acknowledging their invaluable contributions and providing support to advance translational research. This accolade serves to encourage and endorse excellence in the field of engineering, innovation, and technology development. Prof. Singh's receipt of this prestigious fellowship underscores his dedication and outstanding achievements in the field of chemical engineering.

Congratulations to Prof. Rahul Mangal on being selected for the prestigious Indian National Science Academy(INSA) Associate Fellows 2023

Prof. Rahul Mangal pioneering work in the area of soft Matter and their applications, such as bio inspired adhesives and Janus Colloids with Unique properties has not only earned him recognition within the scientific community but has also made a profound impact on society as a whole. INSA initiated the Associate Fellowship in 2023 to recognise research excellence and support young scientists in India researchers. We congratulate Prof. Rahul Mangal on this recognition and wish him the best for future endeavours!

Recognition for Students

Congratulations to Mr. Joel Parayil Jacob, PhD scholar from the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Kanpur for winning poster presentation award at the International Conference on Membrane Based Separations: Past, Present & Future

Major themes in conference were Novel membrane materials and configurations, Hybrid membrane processes, Drinking Water treatment, Domestic / industrial wastewater treatment and reclamation, Energy recovery from water and wastewater, Desalination & Membrane fouling mechanisms and control, Membrane Bio Reactors, Membranes for Energy applications

Congratulations to Ms. Riya Sharma, a PhD scholar from the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Kanpur for receiving the Prime Minister's Research Fellow Award

The Prime Minister’s Research Fellowship (PMRF) scheme with attractive fellowships, seeks to attract the talent pool of the country to doctoral programs of top academic institutes in india for carrying out research in cutting edge science and technology domains, with focus on national priorities thereby improving the quality of research in various higher educational institutions in the country.

We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding students of the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kanpur for their remarkable achievements in the ChEmference 2023, held at BITS Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa campus

ChEmference is a well-acclaimed, national-level conference in the field of Chemical Engineering and Technology in India which was initiated by the research scholars of IIT Kanpur in 2008. It aims for the promotion of young research talent and opens up an opportunity to showcase their innovative ideas or concepts before eminent academicians and industry professionals.

Alumni Achievements

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our alumnus Mr. Rakesh Bhargava, (BT/CHE/1973) for instituting Rakesh Bhargava-Class of 1973 Annual Travel Grant to support the Chemical Engineering Dept. at IIT Kanpur

The grant will help the students promote excellence, facilitate research, and act as a major factor in improving the academic ranking of the Institute. Mr. Bhargava received his bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1973, and subsequently went on to earn an MBA degree from IIM Ahmedabad in 1975. He is one of India's senior most executives in pharmaceuticals, medical nutrition and medical devices domains, and has held top management positions in several companies in India and abroad.

Congratulations to Mr. Anup Bagchi, (BT/CHE/1990) for being awarded the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Awardees 2023 by IIT Kanpur

Mr. Anup Bagchi currently serves as a Managing Director CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance. He has received his bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1990 and subsequently went on to earn management degree from IIM Bangalore. Mr. Bagchi is an engineer turned banker who served on both the Committee on Financial and Regulatory Technologies (CFRT) of SEBI and the Expert Committee on Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) of the RBI.

Congratulations to Prof. Deepak Kunzru, (BT/CHE/1968) for being awarded the prestigious Institute Fellow 2023 by IIT Kanpur

Prof. Deepak Kunzru superannuated as Prof. of Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur where he was a faculty since 1974. He was earlier the Chevron Chair Professor at IIT Kanpur. He received his B.Tech. from IIT Kanpur in 1968 and Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh,U.S.A. in 1972. He was a Visiting Prof. in the Dept.of Chemical Engineering, MIT, U.S.A during Sept-Dec.2009. Prof. Kunzru’s main research interests are in the area of microstructured reactors, chemical reaction engineering, pyrolysis of hydrocarbons and petroleum processing.

Congratulations to Mr. Muktesh Pant, (BT/CHE/1976) for being awarded the prestigious Institute Fellow 2023 by IIT Kanpur

Mr. Muktesh Pant currently serves as a Senior Advisor at Beyond Meat. He is also the former CEO of Yum! Restaurants China. Besides his analytical incisiveness, Mr. Pant's success in managing companies is known to be steeped in his social awareness, human understanding and human relationships. In 1976, he obtained his chemical engineering degree from IIT Kanpur. From 1976 to 1992, he worked in various executive capacities at Unilever in India and the U.K. and built a strong foundation in marketing and international business.

Newly Joined

Introducing our new faculty

A dynamic and diverse team committed to fostering excellence in education and innovation. With a wealth of expertise and passion, our faculty members bring a fresh perspective to inspire and guide the next generation of leaders. Together, we aim to create a vibrant learning environment that nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and collaborative exploration.

Dr. Akash Choudhary

Dr. Akash Choudhary holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from IIT Madras, where he developed mathematical models to analyze the transport of complex fluids in microscale engineering systems. He was awarded the Alexander von Humboldt fellowship to work on modelling of motile microbial systems at the Institute of Theoretical Physics, TU Berlin. His recent works demonstrate how motile microswimmers and drug-delivery agents display intriguing trajectories and anomalous rheological response in complex fluids. He aims to explore such novel systems of active matter with the perspectives of classical transport phenomena. His research group at IIT Kanpur leverages asymptotic and computational techniques to extract fundamental insights into the micro- and macro-scale transport properties of active suspensions.
Find more about Prof. Akash work via (Link)

Dr. Soumik Das

Dr. Soumik Das, a product of IIT Kharagpur with a B.Tech, pursued his Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin. His research pursuits encompass a diverse range, including wettability alteration, surfactants, composites, molecular assembly, and synthesis in structured solvents. Dr. Das also delves into the intriguing realms of liquid crystals, exploring solitons and their applications in chemical soft matter. His dynamic research agenda reflects a keen interest in pushing the boundaries of knowledge across multiple interdisciplinary domains.
Find more about Prof. Soumik work via (Link)

Dr. Ishan Bajaj

Dr. Ishan Bajaj, a graduate of IIT Bombay with a B.Tech. in Chemical Engineering, furthered his academic journey with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University. Following this, he conducted postdoctoral research at the prestigious University of Wisconsin-Madison and Princeton University. Dr. Bajaj's research focuses on the interdisciplinary intersections of chemical engineering, applied mathematics and data science within the realm of process systems engineering (PSE). His group's endeavors are dual-fold: firstly, they explore and apply PSE techniques to unravel innovative materials and pathways for the cost-effective and sustainable production of electricity, fuels, and chemicals. Secondly, the group pioneers the development of theoretical frameworks and algorithms to tackle intricate optimization problems arising from real-world applications.
Find more about Prof. Ishan work via (Link)

Alumni

Alumni returning to their alma mater for a special visit

Recently, Mr. Muktesh Pant (BT/CHE/1976) and Mr. Sudhakar Kesavan (BT/CHE/1976) visited the department, and met with faculty and staff. Their visit was truly inspiring and a testament to the enduring connection between our institute and its accomplished graduates.

The department is thrilled and honored to mark a significant milestone as we welcomed our esteemed alumni Mr. Muktesh Pant (BT/CHE/1976) and Mr. Sudhakar Kesavan (BT/CHE/1976) back to their alma mater, the Chemical Engg department at IIT Kanpur. The occasion was highlighted by a visit to the Post Graduate Research Laboratory, where they explored the state-ofthe-art research facilities followed by a tour of the UG Unit Operations Laboratory. In their visit, our esteemed alumni have not only revisited the corridors where they once walked as students but have also brought with them a wealth of experience and knowledge gained from their professional journeys. As they toured the research facilities, engaged with current students and interacted with faculty members, they shared invaluable insights and experiences from their own professional journeys.

This reunion bridges the gap between the past and the present, creating a unique synergy that exemplifies the essence of our academic community. Their achievements stand as a testament to the outstanding education provided by our institution and serve as a beacon of motivation for our faculty, staff and students.

Students Corner

(Internship Experience)

Devang Kumawat

(B.Tech ‘24) | Software Developer, Truminds Software System

“During my Software Development Internship at Truminds Software Systems, I embarked on a transformative journey that significantly enriched my technical skills and problem-solving acumen. The overarching objective of my internship was to develop an efficient Windows app from the ground up, specifically tailored for accessing and aggregating Generative AI applications. The approach taken in crafting this application was multi-faceted. Leveraging the power of C# and the .NET Framework, I meticulously designed a seamless user interface that facilitated effortless query conversion. This not only enhanced the user experience but also underscored my commitment to delivering user-friendly solutions. One of the highlights of the project was the incorporation of advanced Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques. “

Riya Saini

(B.Tech ‘24) | NEETPrep GoodEd Technologies Private Limited

“ I did an internship through the SPO program in Phase-2 with NeetPrep, an Edtech startup that helps students get ready for NEET. Overall, my experience was fantastic. Working in a startup taught me a lot of things. I got to see how things are built from scratch and how improvements are made, like building the app or adding features to the website. This internship not only helped me improve my technical skills but also gave me a better understanding of the professional world. “

Ayush Raj

(B.Tech ‘24) | Vedanta Resource Limited

“ I did my summer internship at Vedanta Resource Limited Lanjigarh, Odisha. The first few weeks were mainly orientation, how the plant works, what safety protocols we have to follow, and all these. After that, I got my project to work on which was increment and analysis of the throughput of the Ball Mill. I followed a mathematical and statistical approach to do a comprehensive analysis of the Ball Mill and get my project completed within the timeframe. I was enriched by the industrial exposure, and what I have read in classes and books became lively in the industry. One major takeaway from this experience is that safety should be our priority while working anywhere. “

Anshul Mehta

(B.Tech ‘24) | Technical intern, Dr Reddy's company

“ Overall internship experience was great location was Baddi (30km away from Chandigarh).
Coming to the project I did, I worked on 2 projects. 1st project was to reduce the manufacturing time of the syrup production by suggesting changes in the chemical properties of the raw material used, automation, instrumental upgradation, and SOP changes. Another project was to simplify the manufacturing process of tablets. For that, I visited 2 other plants of DRL, FTO-6, and FTO-8 in Baddi, mapped the process and technologies the other 2 plants were using, and suggested economically optimal solutions that could be implemented at FTO-12. After the completion of the internship, I developed a sense of accomplishment, understood how industries work, and got to see the real-life application of the courses taught at IIT. “

Sushmita

(B.Tech ‘24) | Quantitative Analyst Intern, Irage Broking Services LLP

“ The overall experience was incredibly enriching. Delving into real-world financial data analysis provided invaluable insights and practical application of theoretical knowledge. Collaborating with seasoned professionals, encountering challenges, and receiving mentorship contributed to my professional growth. I meticulously pre-processed NSE data using Python Libraries, focusing on various tradable securities. Implementing a two-staged ANN experiment using MPLClassifier, I successfully detected 446,155 quote volatility episodes and 13,750 price momentum episodes. Remarkably, this approach achieved an impressive 90-95% detection rate for in-bid and in-ask quote volatility, affirming the efficacy of our methodology. “

Staff in Focus

(Awards/Achievements)

Mr. Ubale Deepak Raghuvir, conferred with 'Merit Award' for the year 2022

Mr. Ubale Deepak Raghuvir is currently working as Senior Technical Superintendent at the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Kanpur since June 2005. He completed his M.Tech in Chemical Engineering Department from Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University Lonere, Raigad, Maharashtra. He has more than 17 years of experience at IIT Kanpur. Mr. Ubale is the incharge of Jeet Bindra Unit Operation Lab where all the types of chemical Engineering unit operation experimental setups are run. He had the capability of designing all types of chemical engineering experimental setups. He designed some experiments like Vapour Liquid Equilibrium, Air diffusion, Interacting and Non-Interacting Tank System, Time Constant of Thermocouple and RC circuit, Flow Through Orifice, Drag Coefficient, etc. using the in-house facility available in the IIT Kanpur.

Chemineers

Events

Happy Hour Talk- Mastering Entrepreneurship Workshop- Applied Tools & Techniques in Process Industry Workshop on MATLAB Programming

Happy Hour

Chemineers Society brings back our tradition event, "Happy Hour", an informal interactive session between professors and students.

Happy Hour covers a variety of events where the main aim is to develop a sense of bonding among students and professors of the department. Regular informal meetings are held where various Professors are invited so that students can know about their work, area of research, etc. Fun-filled sports competitions and quizzes are also organized for students to ignite their teamwork and competitive spirits.

Talk- Mastering Entrepreneurship

Incredible Entrepreneurship Talk with the visionary Dr. Sandip Patil, Founder & MD of E-Spin Nanotech, Bai-Lab, Indeema Fibers

With a PhD in Chemical Engineering from IIT Kanpur and over 12 years of trailblazing accomplishments, he's a true symbol of determination and success. E-Spin Nanotech produced 50M+ SWASA-N95 masks during COVID-19 , Global recognition for nanofiber tech and reusable adhesives, featured by CNN and Wall Street Journal, Awarded IChE Shah-Schulman Award, Rajeev Motwani Young Entrepreneur Award and more, Author of patented technologies and peer-reviewed publications.

Workshop- Applied Tools and Techniques in Process Industry

Specialized Topics: Explore data science and applied mathematics concepts relevant to process engineering, providing fresh perspectives on familiar subjects like linear algebra.

About Neelesh Singhal: Bachelor's from CHE department at IIT Kanpur, Master's from IISc Bangalore, Diverse career, including roles in petrochemical companies, Shell Graduate Program, and process engineering consulting, Government service as an officer with the Department of Training & Technical Education, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Current consulting work in European markets

Workshop on MATLAB Programming

The workshop's primary goal is to familiarize you with the basics of MATLAB and how to model engineering problems.

Topics that are covered:
Arrays (1D, 2D), Loops, Reading and writing in text files, Plots (1D, 2D, 3D)
Some inbuild functions like fsolve, ODE45, etc., Curve fitting and Interpolation
Linear and nonlinear equations solving, Many more logic-based algorithms

ChE Students Cricket Tournament

Chemineers successfully concluded the ChE Students Cricket Tournament with an Exhibition Match between professors and students. Y20 ChE team, received the Winner Trophy. The RunnerUp Trophy was presented to Y22 PG ChE team. Recognizing outstanding performance, Mr. Amit Madhesiya was honored with the Most Valuable Player trophy. The professors secured victory in the Exhibition Match by 4 wickets, providing a fitting finale to the tournament.

Here are some glimpse of the event.

Freshers'23

Recently, Chemineers Society conducted the Freshers'23 for both UG and PG batch. It was a pleasure to welcome new members to the CHE community. There was much happiness, dancing, and music throughout the evening. Several fun-filled activities were enjoyed by everyone, and photos were taken happily.

A few glimpses of the event

Make a Gift

Giving Back

ChE@IITK appreciates and welcomes the philanthropic efforts of our alumni for the department – whether it’s your time, your diverse talents or funds. Your generosity and support can definitely make a tangible impact in the department’s infrastructural improvements, assistance with faculty and student related initiatives.

We seek your continuous support to upgrade existing infrastructure and create new programs. To help the department the institute has created ChE excellence fund. The fund will be utilized for the following:

To support international travel of students for presenting their research work.
To support the chemineer's society, which conducts happy hours and many other activities to promote the chemical engineering program and help students in various aspects.

Make a Gift

Team

Newsletter Team

Jayant K Singh

Professor & Head

Akash Choudhary

Assistant Professor
Dept. Publicity(Convenor)

Himanshu Sharma

Assistant Professor

Rahul Mangal

Associate Professor

Debjani Banerjee

Senior Research Establishment Officer

Abhishek Mishra

Research Establishment Officer

ChemiELetter

Newsletter

Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kanpur

Vol. 2, Issue 2, December 2023

Head's Message

From the Desk of Head

Spotlight

Innovative Technologies Under the Spotlight

भूपरीक्षक (Bhu Parikshak) V 2.0

Electrochemical Sensor for Bilirubin Analysis in Human Blood/Serum

OraScan: Oral Cancer/Precancer Detection Non-Invasive Hand-Held Device

Happy Electro-Thermo-Chemical Diwali!

Research

Notable Research by Faculty

Studying kinetics of a surface reaction using elastocapillary effect

Machine Learning-Driven Discovery of Key Descriptors for CO2 Activation over Two Dimensional Transition Metal Carbides and Nitrides

Selective detection of bilirubin in blood serum using UV–Vis spectroelectrochemistry technique with CeO2-CNF/ITO transparent electrode

Highlights

Recognition for faculty

Our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Siddhartha Panda for jointly recieving the 'Best Assisted Technology Initiatives by Educational Institutes’ award at ATF Awards 2023

Congratulations to Prof. Y.M. Joshi for being awarded the prestigious J.C. Bose Fellowship by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) for a period of 5 years

Our heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Jayant K. Singh on being honored with the INAE-SERB Abdul Kalam Technology Innovation National Fellowship for the year 2023

Congratulations to Prof. Rahul Mangal on being selected for the prestigious Indian National Science Academy(INSA) Associate Fellows 2023

Recognition for Students

Congratulations to Mr. Joel Parayil Jacob, PhD scholar from the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Kanpur for winning poster presentation award at the International Conference on Membrane Based Separations: Past, Present & Future

Congratulations to Ms. Riya Sharma, a PhD scholar from the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Kanpur for receiving the Prime Minister's Research Fellow Award

We are thrilled to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the outstanding students of the Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kanpur for their remarkable achievements in the ChEmference 2023, held at BITS Pilani, K. K. Birla Goa campus

Alumni Achievements

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our alumnus Mr. Rakesh Bhargava, (BT/CHE/1973) for instituting Rakesh Bhargava-Class of 1973 Annual Travel Grant to support the Chemical Engineering Dept. at IIT Kanpur

Congratulations to Mr. Anup Bagchi, (BT/CHE/1990) for being awarded the prestigious Distinguished Alumnus Awardees 2023 by IIT Kanpur

Congratulations to Prof. Deepak Kunzru, (BT/CHE/1968) for being awarded the prestigious Institute Fellow 2023 by IIT Kanpur

Congratulations to Mr. Muktesh Pant, (BT/CHE/1976) for being awarded the prestigious Institute Fellow 2023 by IIT Kanpur

Newly Joined

Introducing our new faculty

Dr. Akash Choudhary

Dr. Soumik Das

Dr. Ishan Bajaj

Alumni

Alumni returning to their alma mater for a special visit

Recently, Mr. Muktesh Pant (BT/CHE/1976) and Mr. Sudhakar Kesavan (BT/CHE/1976) visited the department, and met with faculty and staff. Their visit was truly inspiring and a testament to the enduring connection between our institute and its accomplished graduates.

Students Corner

(Internship Experience)

Devang Kumawat

Riya Saini

Ayush Raj

Anshul Mehta

Sushmita

Staff in Focus

(Awards/Achievements)

Mr. Ubale Deepak Raghuvir, conferred with 'Merit Award' for the year 2022

Chemineers

Events

Happy Hour

Talk- Mastering Entrepreneurship

Workshop- Applied Tools and Techniques in Process Industry

Workshop on MATLAB Programming

ChE Students Cricket Tournament

Freshers'23

Make a Gift

Giving Back

Team

Newsletter Team

Jayant K Singh

Akash Choudhary

Himanshu Sharma

Rahul Mangal

Debjani Banerjee

Abhishek Mishra

Machine Learning-Driven Discovery of Key Descriptors for CO₂ Activation over Two Dimensional Transition Metal Carbides and Nitrides

Selective detection of bilirubin in blood serum using UV–Vis spectroelectrochemistry technique with CeO₂-CNF/ITO transparent electrode