Kanpur, 7 November : The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) crossed a significant milestone in its academic calendar as the Academics and Career Council, Student’s Gymkhana, successfully conducted the second edition of the Institute Research Symposium (IRS). The event witnessed a substantial audience turnout of approximately 500 students, demonstrating the institute’s commitment to academic excellence and knowledge sharing.

The symposium featured distinguished figures from academia and research at IITK including Prof. S. Ganesh, Officiating Director, Prof. Sameer Khandekar, Dean of Students Affairs, Prof. Shalabh, Dean of Academic Affairs, Prof. S. N. Tripathi, Organizing Chair, Institute Research Symposium, Prof. Arnab Bhattacharya, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, and Prof. Ark Verma, Faculty Advisor, Academics and Career Council.

The symposium featured three distinguished speakers, each providing valuable insights into various aspects of academic and research excellence. Prof. Y. N. Mohapatra from the Department of Physics, initiated the symposium with a talk on the ‘Interdisciplinary Research in the Present World.’ Drawing upon his extensive experience, Prof. Mohapatra highlighted the importance of transcending disciplinary boundaries to achieve ground-breaking research.

An alumnus of IITK and Founder and CEO of E-Spin Nanotech Pvt Ltd, Dr Sandeep Patil delivered a captivating presentation on “Nanofiber Technology and its Commercial Applications: Future Startups.” Dr. Patil’s insights delved into the commercial potential of nanofiber technology and its pivotal role in fostering startup ventures.

Prof. Kantesh Balani, Dean of Resources and Alumni, IIT Kanpur, gave presentation on ‘Engineering Various Applications of Advanced Nanomaterials.’ Prof. Balani’s presentation shed light on the myriad applications of advanced nanomaterials across diverse fields, underscoring their transformative potential in technology and industry.

Over the course of two days, students from various departments of the institute presented their respective research findings, providing a platform for the exchange of knowledge and ideas. Each presentation was followed by interactive question-and-answer sessions, fostering engaging discussions among the students and the audience.

Kanpur, 6 November : The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has established a Center of Excellence (CoE) named ATMAN (Advanced Technologies for Monitoring Air-quality iNdicators).

The CoE is a significant step towards the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative of the Government of India, focusing on building indigenous low-cost sensor manufacturing and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) capabilities to enhance air quality across urban and rural areas of the country.

The CoE ATMAN aligns with the vision of the Principal Scientific Advisor of India, aiming to translate sustainable technologies and business models into practical products and services accessible to millions globally.

Supported by philanthropic entities, including Bloomberg Philanthropies, Open Philanthropy and the Clean Air Fund, ATMAN aims to address critical air quality challenges with cutting-edge technology.

Prof. S Ganesh, Officiating Director, IIT Kanpursaid “IIT Kanpur has taken significant strides in the battle against air pollution. This initiative of establishment of the Center of Excellence—ATMAN has firmly positioned the institute at the forefront of efforts to combat air pollution. Through ATMAN, IIT Kanpur is dedicated to the meticulous evaluation of health risks associated with air pollutants, as well as a comprehensive review of air quality standards.”

There are several projects that are currently underway at the ATMAN. The Ambient Air Quality Monitoring of Rural Areas using Indigenous Technology (AMRIT) is a flagship project that will deploy a dense Sensor Ambient Air Quality Monitor (SAAQM) network with 1,400 nodes across rural areas in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. This initiative is the first of its kind to monitor air quality comprehensively in these regions, where data has been limited to cities and towns. The CoE team will be working with the State Pollution Control Board of Bihar and Department of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of Uttar Pradesh on AMRIT to enhance air quality action in these states.

The Dynamic Hyper-local Source Apportionment (DHSA) is a cost effective approach to source apportionment that is currently being pioneered in Lucknow and Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. The data from DHSA will enable city authorities to make informed decisions in their air quality action planning. The long-term vision is to scale DHSA systems across cities in India to inform about emission and sources of air pollution on a dynamic scale based on this project.

The PM2.5 Prediction and Airshed Management is a project that utilizes micro-satellite imagery, sensor-based ambient air quality networks, and machine learning to predict PM2.5 levels at finer resolutions. Additionally, the CoE is developing an airshed approach to address air pollution on a larger scale with data-driven policy decisions.

The CoE is at the forefront of indigenous air quality sensor fabrication, combining it with artificial intelligence and machine learning models to ensure precise and reliable results. The technology’s optimization involves careful sensor placement to maximize overall citizen satisfaction with air quality information available to the public.

According to Prof. Ajay Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India “The CoE ATMAN has been setup to strategize and execute projects in the field of air quality with indigenous sensor manufacturing that is scalable globally. I appreciate the nurturing of Indian start-ups by this Centre. The coordination between science and government agencies is at the centre of citizens’ welfare. I take this opportunity to congratulate IIT Kanpur, the funders, and government agencies for contributing towards this endeavour.”

Prof. Sachchida Nand Tripathi, who heads the Center of Excellence (CoE), expressed enthusiasm for the impactful research that is underway, “CoE ATMAN is spearheading the infusion of Indigenous Technology towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat. Association

Kanpur, November 3: The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) celebrated 64th Foundation Day on November 2 with great enthusiasm.

The celebrations began with the lighting of lamp by Prof. S. Ganesh, Officiating Director, IIT Kanpur in the presence of Prof. Kantesh Balani, Dean of Resources and Alumni office (DoRA), IIT Kanpur; Dr. Nishanth Nair, Dean of Digital Infrastructure and Automation; and Officiating Dean of Faculty Affairs, IIT Kanpur; and Mr. Kapil Kaul, CEO IIT Kanpur Development Foundation, among other dignitaries.

Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology and former Director of IIT Kanpur graced the event as the distinguished Chief Guest.

Celebrations started on Wednesday with ‘Antarang’,a vibrant cultural program presented by the students of IIT Kanpur. An exhibition by the APPROACH cell (Appreciation and Promotion of Art, Culture and Heritage), IIT Kanpur, was further elevated with the traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolizing the start of a significant gathering.

The cultural program started off with a classical dance performance by a team of girl students of the institute.

The evening culminated with a mesmerizing Kathak recital by Rajendra Gangani, a leading exponent of the Jaipur Gharana style of Kathak and recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contributions to the field of Kathak.

On the occasion, Prof. S. Ganesh, Officiating Director, IIT Kanpur delivered the welcome address and highlighted key achievements and future prospects of the institute in the field of research and academia.

He also spoke about the establishment of The Mehta Family Centre for Engineering in Medicine, plan for a School of Sustainability, and the recent collaboration with the Kalyan Singh Super Specialty Cancer Institute.

“The 64th Foundation Day is a celebration of our journey from inception to the impactful institution IIT Kanpur has grown into today. It was especially a happy moment to welcome as Chief Guest, our former Director, Dr. Abhay Karandikar who is now the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology. As we celebrate this day and honour our alumni and other awardees, the institute is committed to striving harder for enriching research and development across sectors, and nurturing talents that can make a global impact,” said Prof. S. Ganesh.

Dr. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology and former Director of IIT Kanpur, said, “This day instils immense pride and brings back fond memories as we reflect on the institute’s journey in the fields of education, science, and technology. It has been a journey of continuous development, learning, and unwavering commitment to the highest values and mission. IIT Kanpur, through collaboration, scholarships, and global recognition, has carved a significant place in the landscape of innovation. I’m delighted to be part of this occasion and I congratulate all the awardees.”

A total of 22 recipients were honored across various categories, which included Distinguished Alumnus Awards Institute Fellows, Distinguished Service Awards, Young Alumnus Awards, and the Satyendra K. Dubey Memorial Award.

The Distinguished Alumnus Awards were given to 12 alumni, including Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh, Durga Shanker Mishra , Anup Bagchi, Managing Director and CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, Rajnish Kumar, Group CPTO and Co-founder of ixigo.com,and Anil Bansal, President of First National Realty Management and a Board Member of the Indo American Arts Council.

Prof. Deepak Kunzru, Dean, Graduate School and Research and Distinguished Professor at Ahmedabad University, Prof. Achla M. Raina, former professor in Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Kanpur, Rakesh Gangw…

Kanpur, 31 October:The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) has set a benchmark through its outstanding Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) activities along with an exceptional technology translation percentage of 13.76%.

The number of IPRs filed and granted at IITK till date has exceeded 1,000 filings and more than 400 granted IPRs.

The accomplishment of voluminous IPR filings is a testament to the Institute’s progressive approach through Research and Development, the translational activities at the Institute have gained a momentum in the recent past, the technology transfer rate of around 14% from the gross IPR filings at the Institute is symbol of cutting-edge technological development.

Prof S. Ganesh, Officiating Director, IIT Kanpur* said, “IIT Kanpur’s remarkable achievement of surpassing 1,000+ filings and securing 400+ patents is a testament to the unwavering dedication and relentless commitment of its world class faculty, researchers and innovators. This remarkable milestone underscores the institution’s pursuit of excellence in advancing knowledge and pushing the boundaries of innovation.”

According to Prof. Tarun Gupta, Dean, Research and Development, IIT Kanpur “Both the faculty and students have played a significant role in this achievement. The IPR Cell at IIT Kanpur that was established in the year 2000 with the primary goal of facilitating patent filing and maintenance to safeguard the research and development efforts undertaken within the institution has contributed to the commendable benchmark.”

The IPR Cell serves as a crucial intermediary connecting IIT Kanpur with industry partners for technology transfer and licensing initiatives. It also plays a vital role in supporting the disclosure of cutting-edge technologies to industry partners, with the ultimate aim of enabling the widespread adoption of these technologies on a larger scale.

The institute has licensed certain featured technologies that have created a great impact on the society, such as the ‘Bhu Parikshak’, a portable soil testing device licensed to Agronxt Services Pvt. Ltd. that can test up to 1 lakh soil test samples and the has helped more than 1 million farmers during the first year after launch.

Some other notable products include Checko, an anti-counterfeiting solution that helps to identify counterfeit products and licensed to Transpack Technologies and a patent design of convertible school bag has been licensed to PROSOC Innovators Pvt. Ltd, where more than 5,50,000 students across 20 states in India have been happy customers.

The IP and technology transfer office of IIT Kanpur focuses on building a culture of IP creation among students as well as faculty members. Various awareness programs and workshops are conducted to overcome some challenges to IP creation. The office also manages the tech transfer activities and commercialization of the technologies developed at IIT Kanpur wherein the Institute helps to promote and license innovations for the benefit of public and overcome the prevailing challenges in the country. The objective is to facilitate commercialization of technologies through industry partners and start-up entrepreneurs and provide the right space and opportunities by converting their ideas into products and businesses, encouraging Make In India.