Prof. Pant Delivers Lecture and Workshop on Lighter-than-Air System
2023-10-16 10:30 - 12:30 (Asia/Kolkata) | ALC 1, Homi J Bhabha Block
An esteemed academician and a seasoned expert in the Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) system, Prof. Rajkumar S Pant from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, will be delivering a University Distinguished Lecture. The lecture about “The Design and Development of Lighter Than Air Systems”, the lecture will be followed by a workshop on “Sizing of Reusable Indoor Hot Air Balloon” (RIHAB). The Department of Mechanical Engineering’s initiative in organising the event will provide valuable insights to the university’s new-age engineers.
About the Speaker
Prof. Rajkumar S Pant has been a member of the faculty of the Aerospace Engineering Department at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay since December 1989. He has also worked for five years in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in the Design & Engineering Department at Kanpur (3.5 years) and Nasik (1.5 years) Divisions. Prof. Pant is an alumnus of the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield University, UK, where he earned his PhD under the Commonwealth Scholarship Scheme, and IIT Madras, where he did his Masters in Aeronautical Engineering.
Prof. Pant was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding advancement of the Art and Science of Buoyant Flight by the Lighter-than-Air Technical Committee of the American Institute of Aeronautics & Astronautics on 14 June 2023. He also won the Uttarakhand Science Pioneer Award at the 17th State Science Congress of Uttarakhand held in February 2023. He has won three awards for excellence in teaching at IIT Bombay, viz., Departmental Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2022, Hotchand and Jamunabai Lala Teaching Award in 2021, and D P Joshi Excellent Teacher Award in 2014. He received the Special Recognition in Academic Excellence (Faculty-National category) award from the Institution of Engineers (India) in January 2021. In 2019, he was felicitated by the Institution of Engineers (India) as an Eminent Engineering personality in Aerospace Engineering.
Abstract of the Talk
Lighter-than-air (LTA) systems are aerial platforms that overcome gravity primarily by the buoyancy force acting on them due to a lighter-than-air gas (e.g., Hydrogen or Helium)
enclosed in their envelopes. Design development and flight testing of prototypes of several LTA systems have been conducted at the Lighter-Than-Air Systems Laboratory of IIT Bombay for nearly two decades. The aim of this talk is to discuss the latest developments in the area of conceptual design, sizing, design, development and flight/field testing of LTA Systems. The talk will also showcase some of the research and development activities that have been carried out in the LTA Systems Laboratory of IIT Bombay.
Join the lecture for an enriching learning experience!

Faculty Development Programme on Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0
2024-12-02 08:00 - 2024-12-06 17:00
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at SRM University-AP is excited to announce a five-day Faculty Development Programme (FDP) titled “Smart Manufacturing and Industry 4.0,” scheduled for December 2-6, 2024. The FDP will be conducted in a hybrid format and will cater to a diverse audience of engineering institutes and research scholars.
The FDP aims to delve into the latest advancements in manufacturing technologies that are transforming industry standards. With a particular focus on smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0, the FDP seeks to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of interconnected manufacturing systems that leverage cutting-edge advancements in sensors, robotics, and big data analytics. Attendees will also explore emerging areas such as additive manufacturing, digital transformation, and Product Life Cycle Management, alongside hands-on training on sophisticated open-source simulators and tools.

Technical Talk Series on Emerging Pavement Technologies
2024-12-06 14:30 - 16:30
The Pavement Research Group under the Civil Engineering Department at SRM University-AP, in association with the R&B Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, is organising a technical talk series on Emerging Pavement Technologies. Dr Uma Maheshwar Arepalli, Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, SRM University-AP, and Dr Amaranatha Reddy, Professor of Civil Engineering, IIT Kharagpur, will deliver the talks.
The lecture on Innovative Pothole Patching Techniques by Dr Uma Maheswar will elaborate on the Use of Radiant and Solar heat energy, the Use of Geo-grid & Steel Slag Aggregates and Autonomous Pothole Patching Systems; while Dr Amaranatha Reddy will speak on “Cost-effective Rehabilitation Techniques for Urban & High-Volume Roads, Design and Construction of Thin White Topping (TWT) & Short Slab Concrete Pavements (SSCP)
The session promises to provide valuable insights into the latest trends and technologies that are shaping the future of pavement materials and construction. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in discussions and expand their understanding of the rapidly evolving landscape of pavement technology.

Invited Talk on "Hydrogen Gas as the Future Fuel for Sustainable Power Generation"
2025-02-24 11:00 - 13:00 | S209, Level 2, New Academic Block
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is organising an Invited Talk on February 24, 2025 at 11:00 AM. Dr P S Robi, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, Assam, will deliver the distinguished session.
Title of Talk: “Hydrogen Gas as the Future Fuel for Sustainable Power Generation and Application of Machine Learning Techniques for Modeling of Hydrogen Generation by Chemical Reactions”.
About the Speaker
Prof. P. S. Robi has been a distinguished member of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati since 1997. He earned his Ph.D. from IIT Bombay in 1995, following an M.Tech. from the National Institute of Foundry and Forge Technology, Ranchi, in 1988, and a B.Tech. from Kerala University in 1986. Throughout his tenure at IIT Guwahati, Prof. Robi has made significant contributions to both academia and administration. Notably, he served as the Deputy Director of the institute, playing a pivotal role in its development and governance.
His research interests encompass a wide range of topics within mechanical engineering, including fracture mechanics, coatings, metal casting, metal matrix composites, powder metallurgy processing, and materials processing.
Prof. Robi has an extensive publication record, with numerous articles in reputable journals and conferences, reflecting his commitment to advancing knowledge in his field. In addition to his research, he has been actively involved in various consultancy projects, such as the development of pressure tube correlations and metallurgical analysis of heater tube samples, demonstrating his engagement with industry and practical applications of his expertise.
Date: February 24, 2025
Time: 11.00 AM – 01.00 PM
Venue: S-209, SR Bock
Participate and learn from the expert!

Invited Talk on the Design of Composite Structures
2025-02-27 11:00 - 13:00 | W-404, Vikram Sarabhai Block
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is organising an Invited Talk today, February 27, 2025, at 11:00 AM. The talk will be delivered by Dr Subbareddy Daggumati, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Tirupati, India.
Title of the Talk: “Design of Composite Structures
Date: February 27, 2025
Time: 11.00 AM – 01.00 PM
Venue: W-404, Vikram Sarabhai Block
About the Speaker
Dr Subbareddy Daggumati is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Tirupati. He holds a PhD in Electromechanical Engineering from Ghent University, Belgium, where he specialises in the modelling and experimental analysis of woven composite materials.
His professional career spans roles at Robert Bosch India, GE Global Research, and Siemens Wind Power R&D, where he contributed to automotive and wind energy composite structures. He worked as a Lead Engineer (2011-2015) at GE Global Research, Bengaluru, focusing on aviation and wind energy composites (PMCs and CMCs). From 2015 to 2017, he was an Advanced Engineer at Siemens Wind Power R&D, Aalborg, Denmark, where he specialised in the design and analysis of ultra-large offshore wind turbine rotor blades.
An accomplished researcher, Dr Daggumati has published 16 SCI-indexed journal papers, co-authored four book chapters, and held two patents. He has supervised multiple Ph.D. students and led funded research projects, including industry collaborations with TATA Steel. He is also a founding member of BluJ Aerospace Pvt. Ltd., which focuses on eVTOL aircraft development.
Join the session for an insightful lecture!

Industry Visit to Dr Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station
2025-03-12 10:00 - 14:00
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is organising an industrial visit to Dr Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station on March 12, 2025. Dr Chandan Kumar and Dr Manjesh Kumar, faculty coordinators at the department, will accompany the students during the visit.
The Industrial visit aims to provide the B.Tech and M.Tech students more hands-on experience and exposure while also allowing them to observe firsthand the sustainable methods used in the sector.
Students will be able to explore various operational aspects of the power plant, including boiler operations, turbine functioning, coal handling and environmental management techniques. They also have the opportunity to directly interact and learn from the experts and observe practical demonstrations of the thermal plants’ functioning.

Industry Visit to Reliance Industries—KGD6 Oil & Gas
2025-03-22 10:00 - 14:00
The Department of Mechanical Engineering under the School of Engineering and Sciences is organising an industrial visit to Reliance Industries—KGD6 Oil & Gas, Andhra Pradesh, on March 22, 2025.
The Industrial visit aims to provide the B.Tech and M.Tech students more hands-on experience and exposure to the oil and gas extraction business while also allowing them to observe firsthand the sustainable methods used in the sector.
The students will be accompanied by faculty members Dr Gurumurthy Kagita, Prof. Prakash Jadhav, Dr Satya Pramod Jammy, Dr Chandan Kumar, and Dr Supen Kumar Sah.
Gain insights on:-

Real-time monitoring, automation, and control systems utilised in oil and gas operations
Pollution control measures
Insights into the operational aspects of the oil and gas sectors
Techniques for environmental management

The students will also have the opportunity to engage with experts from Reliance Industries-KGD6 Oil & Gas and understand the challenges in the oil and gas industries.

Workshop on Lean Manufacturing in Automotive Industry
2025-04-16 10:00 - 17:30 | Tiered Classroom, 5th Floor, Admin Block
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is organising a workshop, “Atmanirbhar Bharat: Innovations in Lean Manufacturing for the Automotive Industry”, on April 16, 2025.
The workshop will feature two sessions by industry experts.
Session 1: – Atmanirbhar Bharat & Manufacturing Excellence
Resource Person: Mr Narayan Vakil, Ex. Vice President, Spicer India Pvt Ltd – 40 Years of industrial experience, mainly in Auto components, Machine Tools, forging and defence components.
Session 2: – Emerging EV Technologies Transforming the Automotive Industry
Resource Person: Mr Sri Kumar Srinivasan, Delivery Head Tata Elxsi Ltd, Bangalore – Expertise in product design & development that includes medical, automotive – 2W 4W, automotive electrification, energy storage systems, consumer durables, FMCG, electrical and electronic products.
Learn from the best on the emerging technologies that are transforming the automotive industry!
