Recent News

The Department of Mechanical Engineering hosted a Guest talk on “Understanding Microphysics of Raindrops for Accurate Rainfall Forecasting”. The session was presented by Prof. Kirti Chandra Sahu, distinguished Professor of the Department of Chemical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, India. His research focuses on clouds and raindrops dynamics, interfacial fluid flows, and hydrodynamic instabilities.

During the session Prof. Kirti Chandra Sahu emphasised the significance of understanding the microphysics of raindrops for accurate rainfall forecasting, highlighting the role of droplet formation, coalescence, and raindrop breakup under atmospheric conditions. He highlighted how progress in fluid dynamics, when integrated with computational modelling, can significantly strengthen weather prediction capabilities and contribute to climate-resilient strategies through interdisciplinary research. The event highlighted the role of fluid instabilities, surface tension effects, and computational modelling in understanding atmospheric microphysics. The session was highly interactive and informative, bridging the gap between theoretical fluid mechanics and real-world applications in weather forecasting.

The event was successfully led by a team of faculty members Dr Surfarazhussain S Halkarni, Dr Chandan Kumar, and Dr Manjesh Kumar, who played key roles in coordination, technical facilitation, and audience engagement. The talk concluded with an engaging Q&A session, where participants explored potential interdisciplinary collaborations and applications.

Prof. Kirti Chandra Sahu encouraged faculty members, research scholars, and students to explore this emerging domain, citing its growing relevance in tackling climate-related challenges. The event was a resounding success, fostering academic curiosity and encouraging further research.

About the Speaker :

Prof. Kirti Chandra Sahu received several prestigious recognitions, including the Young Scientist Awards from the Indian National Science Academy and the National Academy of Sciences, and the VASVIK Award.

He is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Institute of Physics (UK). Prof. Sahu also serves as an Associate Editor for Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research and is on the editorial board of Langmuir journal. He is currently a member of the External Affairs Committee of the American Physical Society’s Division of Fluid Dynamics (2024–2026).

The Department of Mechanical Engineering organised a focused Industrial Meet on June 21, 2025, titled “Demystifying Fracture Mechanics for Industry: Safe Design, Analysis and Operation of Pressure Vessels, Piping & Pipelines & Green Hydrogen Storage and Transportation Equipment.” This specialised workshop was designed for professionals from well-established Refinery, Petrochemical and Oil & Gas, sectors and the emerging Green Hydrogen industry.

The industry meet commenced with a brief keynote address by Dr Dipak K Chandiramani, Independent Consultant (Mumbai) & Chair, ASME PVP Division, India, on the topic “Quality Assurance in Fabrication: Perspectives from Industry Standards.” His talk laid a strong foundational understanding, setting the stage for the central theme of the meet. visited the laboratories of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and discussed opportunities for commercialising the available facilities. He expressed interest in promoting our industrial training programs on ASME’s Master Class – Advanced Learning Programs webpage and invited faculty members to participate in the upcoming ASME code development committee meetings.

Dr Gurumurthy Kagita, Professor of Practice, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM AP, the main resource person for the event, shared his extensive industry experience relevant to the theme of the meet and explained the practical applications of fracture mechanics in the refinery, petrochemical, and oil & gas sectors, as well as in the emerging green hydrogen industry.

The meet began with an introduction to the key concepts of fracture mechanics, presented in a simple and accessible manner for industry professionals. Emphasis was placed on visual learning through graphics and animations rather than traditional classroom-style lectures. In the latter part of the session, the focus shifted to applying fracture mechanics in alignment with various international industry codes and standards. Several case studies were presented using in-house-developed software modules, including Brittle Fracture Screening, MPT envelopes for hydro-processing reactors, etc.

The meeting saw external participants from professionals across various industries, faculty members from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and students, including both B.Tech. and Ph.D. scholars.

Several industry participants expressed strong interest in future collaboration with SRM University. Multiple organisations, including Anup Engineering, Jindal Renewable Pvt. Ltd., and Ratnamani Metals and Tubes Ltd., expressed interest in signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with SRM University for future collaboration in advanced engineering services. Several companies also expressed willingness to offer internships and placement opportunities to SRM AP students.

Industry representatives showed keen interest in collaborative research and consultancy projects, particularly in areas such as hydrogen pipeline design, digital twin tools, and numerical assessment of hydrogen-compatible materials.

These outcomes collectively highlight strong potential for long-term industry-academia partnerships and increased opportunities for students in training, research, and employment.

Dr Supen Kumar Sah, Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering presents his exclusive study on the thermo-mechanical bending behaviour of functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich plates using the Sinusoidal Shear Deformation Theory (SSDT) in his recent paper titled “Thermo-mechanical bending of power and sigmoid FGM sandwich plate using sinusoidal shear deformation theory”. The paper has been published in the Journal of Reinforced Plastics and Composites, having an impact factor of 3.2.

Abstract

This study examines the thermo-mechanical bending behaviour of functionally graded material (FGM) sandwich plates with temperature-dependent properties. FGMs, typically made from metal and ceramic, combine rigidity and high thermal resistance, and their properties are assumed to vary continuously in thickness. Using sigmoid and power law distributions, we analyse the smooth variation of properties and apply a one-dimensional heat conduction equation to determine temperature changes. The Sinusoidal Shear Deformation Theory (SSDT) is utilised to account for the sinusoidal distribution of shear stress while meeting traction-free boundary conditions. We derive the governing equations through Hamilton’s variational principle and Navier’s solution, resulting in closed-form solutions for center deflection, and normal and shear stresses of the plates. The analysis reveals that temperature-dependent properties and gradation indices significantly affect central deflection, normal stress, and shear stress. The SSDT results align well with existing shear deformation theory, confirming its accuracy.

Dr Sah collaborated with Dr Anup Ghosh from IIT Kharagpur on the research study. He aims to continue his research on FGMA and focus on the structural analysis of multidirectional Functionally Graded Material sandwich plates in the future.

Link to the article

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at SRM AP hosted a workshop on Atmanirbhar Bharat: Innovations in Lean Manufacturing for the Automotive Industry. The workshop focused on the evolving landscape of the automotive industry. Industry veterans Mr Narayan Vakil, an independent director with 40 years of experience across automotive components, and Mr Srikumar Srinivasan, Delivery Head at Tata Elxsi Ltd., led the workshop.

The workshop delved into topics such as electric vehicles (EVs), automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things allowing the attendees a chance to understand the principles of lean manufacturing and their crucial role in enhancing operational efficiency. Discussions also covered Industry 4.0 and its revolutionary impact on automotive production.

Participants were also offered insights on waste reduction strategies aimed at improving productivity while embracing sustainable manufacturing practices. The event also served as a platform for networking, fostering future collaborations between automotive manufacturers and technology providers.