“The primary role of the IITs is to educate and skill individuals who will go on to make valuable contributions to society. The National Education Policy 2020 goes beyond the traditional teaching methods; it is also aimed at inculcating entrepreneurial and social values in the students. We aim to instill the values of critical thinking and teamwork among our students.
“Our students not only study but also work in our tinkering labs, developing products using AR, VR, AI applications and 3D printers. They evaluate the technical, economic feasibility, and market readiness of these products. Once a product is ready, we showcase it at expos where industry representatives, DRDO and the Army can see these innovations. Some products have already attracted industry interest and are on the path to commercialisation.”
This was stated by Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, in conversation with Anoop Verma, Editor (Desk), ETGovernment. In the interview that follows, Prof. Pant sheds light on research and development work being conducted at the institutions of higher learning in the country.
Edited excerpts:
You have done extensive work in the area of environment-friendly technologies like hydrocarbon conversion processes, biomass conversion, bio-food production, CO2 conversion technology, e-waste, and plastic management. What kind of impact can these technologies have on the national economy in the next 10 years?
Given my background as a chemical engineer and my experience at IIT Delhi for over 24 years before joining IIT Roorkee as the Director, I can say that my passion for research continues alongside my administrative duties. One of the promising technologies that we have developed is the coal-to-methanol processing system. Indian coal, which has around 40% ash, is not of the best quality. With the support of the Department of Science and Technology, Thermax Pune, and NITI Aayog, we developed a plant that is now operational.
Additionally, we are working on integrating carbon capture and utilisation technologies. For example, the CO2 produced during coal gasification can be captured and converted into methanol and dimethyl ether, making the process more sustainable. This methanol can also be converted to hydrogen for fuel cell applications. In the biomass sector, we are working on converting biomass into hydrogen and bio-oil–15 kg of biomass can yield 1 kg of hydrogen. Kitchen waste too can be converted to biogas, which contains methane and can be used as a clean fuel. These are green fuels that contribute to sustainability.We have also developed technologies for plastic waste utilisation and electronic waste management. We have developed a 50 kg per day plant for electronic waste metal recovery. With the anticipated rise in battery waste from e-vehicles, recovering valuable metals from e-waste will be crucial. This aligns with the concept of a circular economy, where materials are continually reused, minimising waste. We have patented several technologies, such as plastic waste to liquid fuel conversion, and transferred them to the industry for use.
Several institutions have implemented the “professor of practice” model. What is the advantage of this model?
Under the “professor of practice” model professionals with a proven track record mentor the students, startups and faculty. These professionals have vast experience in their respective domains. They offer informative talks and courses, sharing their experiences on how academia and industry should collaborate. At IIT Roorkee, we have a Center for Space Science and Technology where scientists from ISRO have joined as professors of practice. Their role involves interacting with students, who are the future leaders in DRDO, ISRO and other eminent government and private sector institutions.
How do you see the developments in AI, ML, IoT, quantum computing, 5G and 6G communication systems and other emerging technologies?
By leveraging available data and utilizing data science, AI, and quantum computation, we can identify root causes and develop future solutions. AI and ML can play crucial roles in advanced data analysis and decision-making. These technologies can also lead to seminal improvements in cybersecurity and data privacy. The integration of quantum computation can lead to the development of super-fast devices. Technologies like 5G and 6G will enable rapid signal detection and faster communication. IoT is also vital for industries, progressing from IoT 4.0 to 5.0. The ability to process signals quickly and design efficient sensors will be crucial for data collection and implementation.
To enable the development of fruitful emerging technology systems we need to adopt a multidisciplinary approach, which combines science, technology, engineering, mathematics and economics. This approach is already being adopted by several institutions.
Significant amount of research is being done on drones, which can be used for both civilian and defence related purposes. The drones can operate in areas where human intervention is challenging. Submarine applications, which can detect underwater mines and other threats, are under development. At IIT Roorkee, we have developed a device that can detect earthquakes 45 seconds before they occur. We are now working to further improve the detection time. In healthcare, AI, ML, quantum computation, and IoT can revolutionise medical devices, point-of-care diagnostics and treatments. Robotic applications in surgery and other areas are also promising.
What is the role that the academic institutions can play in improving research and development of technologies and systems for the defence sector?
The government has undertaken many initiatives to encourage greater synergy and cooperation between the universities and defence organizations like the DRDO. The DRDO Centers of Excellence have been established in most prominent institutions, including IIT Roorkee. The purpose of the CoE is to leverage academic expertise and talent for defence-related research. Cutting-edge research is being done in the CoEs located in several institutions, including IIT Roorkee. More CoE-type activities should be initiated. Interaction between various institutions is important to avoid duplication of efforts. Such interactions can be facilitated through workshops and seminars.
What kind of success have the DIA-CoEs have achieved in bringing new technology to the defence sector?
These centers have been very successful. Currently, more than 70 projects are running at IIT Roorkee across various areas. For example, we are developing tools for augmented and virtual reality labs using AR and VR technologies. We are also working on lightweight bulletproof jackets made from composite materials, including carbon nanotubes and steel composites.We are also conducting research for development of systems which can improve the efficiency of army tanks by reducing their load weight and enhancing their cameras for better performance in remote areas. We have designed drones with payload capacities of up to 15 kg. However, for defence applications, the requirement is for drones with a 200 kg payload capacity and a range of 4 to 5 km. We have signed an MoU with the army to work on these areas.
What is the outcome of the research that you are conducting?
Some of the technologies we are developing at IIT Roorkee address the specific needs of the defence forces. At present, we have over 70 ongoing projects with DRDO. Some of these projects include smart infrastructure and hardened structures for defence applications, energy storage devices, and lightweight, high-energy materials for battery applications. We are also conducting studies on landslides and avalanches, which are critical for high-altitude areas.
We are collaborating with the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) for research on thermal management. We are developing AI models for landslide early warning systems. We are working on identifying geological structures associated with high landslide hazard zones and demonstrating the mitigation measures to safeguard the defence infrastructure. We are also developing anti-freezing agents for high altitudes and researching efficient biomass-based fuels for army vehicles.
We are exploring recycling solutions for high-altitude areas. These solutions entail the conversion of plastic waste into value-added chemicals through the use of small tabletop units. This approach can help convert waste into valuable resources or energy without the need to transport heavy equipment.
IITs have contributed significantly to the country over the last few decades. However, the country is now changing; we are becoming more economically powerful, more universities are emerging, and online education is gaining popularity. How have the IITs evolved to keep pace with a changing India?
The primary role of the IITs is to educate and skill individuals who will go on to make valuable contributions to society. The National Education Policy 2020 goes beyond the traditional teaching methods; it is also aimed at inculcating entrepreneurial and social values in the students. We aim to instill the values of critical thinking and teamwork among our students.
Our students not only study but also work in our tinkering labs, developing products using AR, VR, AI applications and 3D printers. They evaluate the technical, economic feasibility, and market readiness of these products. Once a product is ready, we showcase it at expos where industry representatives, DRDO and the Army can see these innovations. Some products have already attracted industry interest and are on the path to commercialisation. We aim to train students to develop technologies that can be commercialised. This requires collaboration between industry and academia, a process that is now well-established. For example, we have the AARTI (Automobile Allied Research) initiative, supported by the Ministry of Heavy Industry, where we develop products for physically challenged individuals and design lightweight, efficient mechanical parts in collaboration with MSMEs.
Collaboration between academia and industry is vital. IITs are partnering with local industries to develop novel technologies and products. Our students undertake internships and work in our labs to create products that can be produced by the industry. Projects with commercial value are taken up by students in their second, third and final years, as well as during their PhD studies. This approach integrates fundamental education with practical application, supporting the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. We emphasise holistic development, teaching students the value of education, ethics, and how their knowledge can benefit society. We also run training programs for industries, focusing on IoT, AI, and ML applications to improve industrial efficiency in areas like water and energy conservation, and developing green technologies.
We also promote the efficient use of local resources, recycling, and sustainable practices. For instance, we help industries develop processes for water recycling. These efforts are crucial for addressing issues related to food, energy, and water, aligning with Vision 2047’s emphasis on sustainability. We train our students to achieve sustainable development goals and foster transformational research through industry and organisational collaborations. By adapting our curriculum and teaching methods to include practical applications and industry collaborations, we ensure that our students are well-prepared to meet the evolving needs of a changing India.
Educational institutions like the IITs are now playing a seminal role in encouraging the development of startup culture in the country. How do you see the link between the development of startup culture, emphasis on academic R&D and the new education policy launched by the government?
Over the past decade, the education system has evolved significantly. About 10 years ago, the culture of startups was not prevalent, and the focus was primarily on traditional blackboard teaching. Students were mainly concerned with grades and securing jobs, and education was not as product-oriented as it is today.
In recent years, IIT Roorkee has made substantial progress in promoting R&D activities. Several collaborations have been established, resulting in the development of several new branches of scholarship and research. Some of these branches include hydrology, water resource development and management, disaster mitigation and management, and earthquake engineering. There has also been growth in the existing branches such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, and electronics.
With the introduction of the National Education Policy 2020, there has been a shift towards technology development within the country.
Earlier the industry-academia collaboration was at a minimal level and most of the cutting-edge technologies are being imported in the country. But now the government is supporting collaboration between industry and academia through the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Biotechnology, NITI Aayog and other institutions. This has led to application-oriented research in several areas. It has also facilitated the rise of startups which seek to develop products and services for the market.
Today, every IIT, including IIT Roorkee, has strong collaborations with industry. The R&D work being done at the academic institutions is a medium for democratizing technology, empowering startups and fueling the economy.
