An interactive session between Prof U Ramamurty, President Chair Professor, School of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore, and the faculty members of SRM University – AP, Andhra-Pradesh was held on Monday.

During the discussion, Prof Ramamurty emphasized the importance of research collaboration between faculty members from different research areas and about utilizing expertise to achieve significant scientific output.

Dr Pardhasaradhi Maram from the Department of Chemistry, Dr Sabyasachi Mukhopadhyay from the Department of Physics, and Prof G S Vinod Kumar from the Department of Mechanical Engineering presented their detailed research areas that focus on storage devices, catalysts for value-added products, energy and sensing devices, novel metallic materials, additive manufacturing of metals and Bio-implants, and industry collaborative research work.

Prof Ramamurty said that he is glad to see that productive science is being done at SRM University-AP. “Given that the University has started only 4 years ago and been functioning amidst a pandemic for more than one and a half years, the progress in research is significant and very impressive. Interdisciplinary efforts between various departments in the University will give effective results”, he added.

Prof D Narayana Rao, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, SRM University – AP expressed his interest in establishing NTU – SRM joint Centre for Advanced Research in functional and structural materials at SRM University campus to Prof Ramamurty. The centre that Prof Rao envisions will provide an opportunity to synergize the expertise and resources of NTU, Singapore, and SRM University – AP to carry out front-line research in the areas of novel materials, self-healing materials and also additive manufacturing (3D Printing of metals and bio-implants).

Title of the Patent: A Process for Preparing Magnesium Foams

Patent applicant: SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh

Patent Application number: 202041001715

Date of Filing: 14/01/2020

Date of Publication: 24/01/2020

Date of Grant: 16/08/2021

Prof G S Vinod Kumar and his PhD Scholar Mr Dipak Nandkumar Bhosale from the Department of Mechanical Engineering has brought the first granted patent to SRM University-AP. The patent titled “A Process for Preparing Magnesium Foams” is on the novel processing of Magnesium alloy foams via molten metal route. Metal foams are the class of novel ultra-lightweight and high strength materials used for engineering structures. Under the light-alloy category, Magnesium alloys possess greater challenges to foam and the inventors Mr Dipak Bhosale, PhD scholar and Prof Vinod Kumar (PhD supervisor) of Dept. of Mechanical Engineering have come up with a novel process to foam Magnesium alloy effectively. The patent was filed on January 14, 2020, and granted on August 16, 2021. It is indeed commendable that the patent grant is obtained in just 16 months from the date of application.

Metal foam is a cellular structure consists of solid metal with gas-filled pores. The pores can be sealed (closed-cell foam) or interconnected (open-cell foam). The present patent relates to a process for the preparation of closed-cell Magnesium foams using dolomite [CaMg (CO3)2] as a blowing agent (gas source), through a liquid metal route. The inventors have demonstrated economical and naturally occurring mineral dolomite to be an effective blowing agent for preparing magnesium foams and in-situ formed MgAl2O4 (spinel) particles as the stabilizing agent during stabilization of foams. The Magnesium foams produced by the process of the present disclosure have a good expansion, lower density, uniform pore size distribution and polyhedral pore structure. Through the present process Magnesium foams with 88% porosity 0.20 g/cm3 foam density was obtained. Magnesium foam is an attractive material that exhibits a unique combination of mechanical, physical, thermal, electrical and acoustic properties. It has high strength to weight ratio, good compressive strength and high energy/shock/vibration/sound absorption efficiency. Owing to these properties the magnesium foam finds potential in lightweight structural applications, sound-absorbing, energy and vibration and shock damping application.

Young researchers from Mechanical Engineering- S.K Hassan, M.Vijaya Bhargava, Jithin Peram, and Meghana Bonthu- have added one more laurel to SRM University-AP by inventing something novel! Under the supervision of faculty from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the quartet have published a patent A Comprehensive Disinfection System during Pandemic for Personal Items and Protective Equipment(PPE) to Safeguard People.

The current Covid-19 pandemic has led to an enormous demand for gadgets/objects for personal protection. To prevent the spread of the virus which proliferates also through surface transmission, it is important to disinfect objects of common use. One of the ways suggested is to use a UV-C disinfecting box that is efficient and effective in deactivating the COVID-19 virus. The novelty of the product prototype is the use of a UVC transparent material (fused silica quartz glass tubes). This not only physically supports the objects to be disinfected but also improves the effectiveness of disinfection. The aluminium foil which the students have used, a UV reflecting material, was used as the inner lining of the box for effective utilization of the UVC light emitted by the UVC lamps. Care has been taken to prevent leakage of UVC radiation out of the system. COVID-19 virus can be inactivated in 5 minutes by UVC irradiation in this disinfection box.

This novel product can help in efficiently sanitizing normal household items such as mobile phones, keys, purses, grocery and also PPE kits (masks, gloves, visors etc.). This product is not only affordable but also makes disinfection faster. Moreover, the operational process is simple – open the door, place the objects, turn it on and then retrieve them sanitised within minutes.

“We are looking forward to taking up this UV Box to the next stage of implementation with a more compact and more efficient mechanism”, says the proud team behind the invention. “We are ready to undertake new projects and with the help and support from Dr Venkat Nori and other faculty members”, they added.

Link to patent document: https://ipindia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/IPOJournal/1_4971_1/Part-1.pdf

Lankalapalli Pavan Sai from the undergraduate department of Mechanical Engineering at SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh, has secured an astounding admission to Northeastern University (NEU), Boston for his higher education. The Master’s in Engineering Management programme that he has enrolled in meets F-1 international student status requirements and is purely designed for the Core background (i.e. Mechanical, Electrical, and Civil Engineering) students. Pavan Sai had also qualified to work with the global L&T Technology Services company through the campus placement at SRM University-AP.

According to Pavan Sai, NEU lies in the heart of Boston city which is one of the major hubs for startups and the University is known for its CO-OP program that gives hands-on experience in theoretical, quantitative, and analytical skills and tools. His decision to study abroad happened rather late though he qualified IELTS on time and has been preparing for GRE.

When he applied to NEU just two days before the deadline, the faculty and staff at SRM University-AP extended their full assistance to go by the application. “I cannot forget the assiduous support and mentorship of my Professors Dr Satya Pramod Jammy and Dr Venkata Nori from the Department of Mechanical Engineering”, says Pavan Sai. “I also want to thank SRM University-AP for helping me and providing me with opportunities”, he adds.

The Department of Mechanical Engineering, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh, introduces the globally recognised American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) membership programmes to its students.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a non-profit establishment formed for the global engineers’ community that promotes collaboration, knowledge sharing, career enhancement, and skill development. ASME Student Chapter helps university engineering students develop their professional identity and provides essential engagement opportunities by offering access to a wide range of activities and resources such as membership, competitions, scholarships, student sections and much more.

The engineering curriculum is not restricted to the theoretical aspects but involves practical applications. The collaboration with ASME will help students of our university to find engineering-related job articles, online journals, webinars, and workshops on a single platform. Students will be exposed to niche career paths and opportunities across industries where they can apply their mechanical engineering education to address critical issues facing the globe. Students can get in touch with experienced professionals all around the world through the ASME mentoring programme and seek careers or any other type of guidance.

SRM University-AP collaborates with global organisations to promote international exposure of students. In collaboration with ASME, the Department of Mechanical Engineering will be organising webinars and workshops by eminent faculties of the institute, where they will share their experiences and knowledge with the participants. The programme aims to create extraordinary learning experiences for the students to carry out many activities under this umbrella and fulfil the expectations of ASME.

Dr Prakash Jadav, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, will be acting as faculty adviser for this chapter which is headed by Tushar Sahu.