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 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.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering under the School of Engineering and Sciences at SRM University-AP, organised an industrial visit on March 22, 2025 to Reliance Industries – KGD6 Oil & Gas, Andhra Pradesh.

The Industrial visit helped enhance the practical knowledge and industry exposure of the B.Tech & M.Tech students in the field of oil and gas extraction and learn first-hand the sustainable practices followed in the industry. The visit aligned with the students academic curriculum and prepared them for a future in the energy sector.

The visit was led by faculties, Dr Gurumurthy Kagita, Prof. Prakash Jadhav, Dr Satya Pramod Jammy, Dr Chandan Kumar, and Dr Supen Kumar Sah from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, who accompanied the students throughout the visit. During the visit, students gained insights of operational aspects of oil and gas industries, offshore and onshore adopted technologies, pollution control strategies, real-time monitoring, automation, control systems used in oil and gas operations and environmental management techniques. Experts from Reliance Industries-KGD6 Oil & Gas explained advanced drilling techniques, offshore and onshore extraction processes, and storage techniques of natural gases to our students. The visit also provided insights into safety protocols, automation in industrial processes and sustainability practices in the Oil & Gas industry.

The visit was highly beneficial for students as it bridged the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. It also offered an opportunity to interact with industry professionals and understand the challenges in oil and gas industries.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at SRM University-AP organised an industrial visit to the Dr Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station. Dr Chandan Kumar and Dr Manjesh Kumar, faculty coordinators at the department accompanied the students during the visit.The visit was aimed to facilitate practical knowledge among students and to enhance their industry exposure.

During the visit students were able to explore the various operational aspects of the power plant including boiler operations, turbine functioning, coal handling and environmental management techniques. The engineers from the plant also shared their expertise and offered practical demonstrations of the thermal plants’ functioning.

Students also got an opportunity to discuss the operational challenges and understand first hand the potential solutions to the problems. Interactions such as these allowed the students to make real time practical applications of the theoretical aspects learned.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering expressed gratitude to the management and staff of Dr Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station for their warm hospitality and invaluable learning experience. This visit was not only educational but also essential in bridging the gap between theory and practical application, contributing meaningfully to the academic and professional development of the students.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering hosted an invited talk on “Design of Composite Structures” on February 27, 2025. The session was delivered by Dr Subbareddy Daggumati, distinguished Associate Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India. An expert in composite materials, structural mechanics, and computational modelling, Dr Subbareddy Daggumati, highlighted the significance of composite materials in aerospace, automotive, and structural applications in his talk.

The presentation covered key topics such as fatigue damage mechanisms, experimental analysis, predictive modelling, and recent advancements in composite material research. Participants, including faculty members, researchers, and students, actively discussed improving fatigue resistance through material selection, design optimization, and advanced testing techniques. A leading figure in advanced engineering research, Dr Subbareddy Daggumati also underscored the extensive research opportunities available for faculty, research scholars, and students interested in exploring the fatigue behaviour of composite structures. The event was highly informative, fostering academic exchange and encouraging further research into the fatigue behaviour of composite structures.

The event was presided over by Dr Lakshmi Sirisha Maganti, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Prof. Prakash Jadhav, Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The talk concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where attendees gained valuable knowledge on current challenges and future research directions in this field.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering successfully hosted an Invited talk on “Hydrogen Gas as the Future Fuel for Sustainable Power Generation and Application of Machine Learning Techniques for Modeling of Hydrogen Generation by Chemical Reactions” on February 24, 2025. The session witnessed Prof. P. S. Robi, a distinguished Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati and Former Deputy Director of IIT Guwahati, Assam, India, as the esteemed speaker.

Prof. P S Robi highlighted the importance of hydrogen as a sustainable fuel, emphasising its potential to replace fossil fuels, reduce carbon emissions, integrate with renewable energy sources, and the role of research and industry collaboration in advancing its adoption to make hydrogen a viable energy source for a sustainable future. He also addressed key challenges in hydrogen adoption, particularly the need to overcome high production costs and storage limitations.

Furthermore, Prof. Robi emphasised the role of Machine Learning in enhancing hydrogen generation efficiency through data-driven modelling and optimisation. Potential research and collaboration prospects, advocating for stronger partnerships between academia, industry, and policymakers to accelerate the advancement and implementation of hydrogen technology, were extensively discussed. Additionally, Prof. P. S. Robi highlighted the myriad of research opportunities available for faculty, research scholars, and students interested in hydrogen generation.

The talk concluded with an interactive Q&A session, during which the participants actively engaged with the speaker. The session was attended by Dr Lakshmi Sirisha Maganti, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr Chandan Kumar, Assistant Professor and convenor of the event, along with the faculty, scholars and students of the university.