Pune, 29th November 2024: The CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), organized a curtain-raiser program to build excitement for the upcoming India International Science Festival (IISF) 2024. The event also marked the inauguration of the 6th NCL-RF Annual Students Conference, creating a platform to celebrate and promote scientific innovation and collaboration. This initiative set the stage for the 10th edition of IISF, a milestone event dedicated to showcasing advancements in science and technology and fostering a spirit of innovation across India.
India International Science Festival (IISF) is an initiative of the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Science of the Government of India in association with Vijnana Bharati which is a science movement with Swadeshi spirit led by eminent scientists of the country.
Premnath Venugopalan, Head, NCL Innovations & Director, Venture Center, emphasized the significance of conferences as a vital part of the learning journey for scientists in training. He remarked that such platforms foster creative thinking and provide deeper insights into the scientific process than traditional methods. Highlighting the importance of reflection and idea exchange, Dr. Venugopalan stressed that the best scientific breakthroughs often emerge from exploring concepts beyond one’s own field of expertise. He later introduced the chief guest Prof. Santanu Choudhary, CTO of Thermax Limited, and invited him to raise the curtain for IISF 2024, marking this much-anticipated event and deliver the his plenary talk at the 6th NCL-RF Annual Students Conference.
Santanu Chaudhari spoke on a topic “Advancing Materials Design and Scale-up using Physics-informed AI: Preparing the Workforce for the Future of Energy Transition.” He highlighted the transformative potential of research in shaping the future for generations to come, urging a move beyond the legacies of the industrial revolution. He explored the complex interplay between economic growth and energy demands, with a strong emphasis on green technologies and sustainable practices. Drawing from his extensive experience at Argonne National Laboratory, Illinois, USA, he shared key advancements in materials science and energy research. He touched upon the topics such as advanced materials processing, performance prediction using data and AI, and the discovery of materials through first-principles and atomistic tools. Prof. Chaudhari also discussed mesoscale simulations and their connection to materials processing via AI and machine learning, as well as the application of autonomous and multi-objective optimizations in materials, devices, and manufacturing.
In his talk, Prof. Chaudhari addressed critical challenges and opportunities in carbon capture, utilization, and management, including the generative design of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for carbon capture. He explained how machine learning can enhance MOF research, enabling AI-driven MOF modeling and in silico MOF design. Throughout the session, Prof. Chaudhari provided thought-provoking insights into the challenges of scaling transformative energy technologies, underlining the role of innovative R&D in building a sustainable and energy-secure future.
The day also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on “From Lab to Launch: Turning Research into Real-World Solutions.” The session explored challenges, strategies, and innovations in transforming academic research into impactful products and services. The session included esteemed Panelists such as Dr. Sachin Dubey, Module Innovations; Dr. Santosh Bhikulal Chavan, FarmLab; Dr. Manjusha Shelke, CSIR-NCL; Shri Shripad Kulkarni, Forbes Marshall. The session was moderated by Dr. Soma Chattopadhyay, Venture Center. The discussions and insights shared during this session undoubtedly inspired young researchers to think beyond the lab and innovate for a better future
6th NCL-RF Annual Students Conference proceeded with a flash talk by Dr. Namrata Gundiah, who delivered a plenary talk on “Hemodynamics and the Endothelium: From Health to Disease.” It continued with oral sessions from the CSIR-NCL students, alongside an engaging poster session. The day concluded with a valedictory ceremony and vote of thanks, wrapping up an insightful and productive day of discussions and innovation.
The curtain-raiser program sparked a vibrant spirit of scientific curiosity, setting the stage for the eagerly awaited IISF 2024, where science and innovation will shine at the forefront.
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