Academic Journey

Q — Could you tell us a little about your PhD research area and what initially inspired you to work in that field?

A — My doctoral research focused on the dynamics of a solid sphere rising and falling in a Newtonian fluid. I used a moving-mesh strategy to capture the complex interaction between the particle and the surrounding quiescent fluid. A key parameter was the density ratio — the particle density divided by fluid density. When the ratio exceeded 1 the sphere descended; when it was less than 1 the sphere rose. Using identical density ratios for both rising and falling scenarios, I examined trajectories, drag, wake patterns, and angular velocity to reveal contrasts and similarities. The motivation came from classical fluidization processes and their central role in operations like fluidized beds, thickeners and bubble column reactors.

Planning for a PhD

Q — Did you already know you wanted to do a PhD right after graduation? How did you build your research skills?

A — No — I did not plan on a PhD immediately. My early career started at CFTRI (Mysore) working on supercritical CO₂ extraction, and later at Servall Engineering Works focusing on process and equipment design for pulp & paper. These industrial experiences showed me how many industrial technologies originate from university research and made me appreciate the role of professors in translating lab ideas into industry. That inspired me to pursue an M.Tech at SRM and gradually enter research while teaching. Early hurdles like reading literature, framing problems, experiments and writing papers became manageable with strong supervisory guidance and peer support.

Why a PhD over Industry?

Q — Why did you choose a PhD instead of going directly into industry?

A — Industry gave me practical skills, but I realized academia is where core technologies are conceived. I wanted to research and teach — to develop ideas that eventually scale to industry. That motivated the PhD despite already having industry experience.

PhD to Industry: Is the Transition Hard?

Q — Many think a PhD limits one to academia. Do you agree?

A — Not at all. PhD graduates often move into industry R&D easily. Several former students now work at places like Uranium Corporation of India and Apple. The skills from a PhD — problem framing, deep technical knowledge, and research methods — are valuable in both sectors.

Research Focus & Applications

Q — What made you choose rising and falling spheres as your research topic?

A — The subject is rooted in classical operations — fluidization, settling in thickeners, and bubble column reactors. Experiments showcase observable behaviour, while simulations help us uncover underlying fluid–particle physics, especially where experiments are difficult or expensive. Combining both yields deeper insight.

Q — Are there notable industry applications of your work?

A — Absolutely. Insights can inform design and optimization of fluidized bed reactors, thickeners, and bubble column reactors across chemical and process industries.

Managing Computational Cost

Q — These transient 3D simulations are expensive. How did you manage computational cost and time?

A — The simulations were indeed demanding. We used a cluster of 15 high-performance computers with GPUs, and generated 24–25 TB of data. Finer meshes and smaller time steps improved accuracy but increased cost, so resource planning and mesh/time-step sensitivity studies were essential to optimize accuracy vs. compute time.

AI and Data-Driven Modeling

Q — Do you see AI-assisted CFD or data-driven methods redefining simulations soon?

A — Yes — integration of CFD with AI and deep learning is growing. Currently, many AI models are empirical; the next step is hybrid physics-informed AI that blends data-driven speed with physics-based fidelity to accelerate multiphase flow predictions.

Sustainability & Circular Economy

Q — How does this research align with sustainability and circular economy goals?

A — The trend is shifting from pure cost/yield optimization to closed-loop, low-carbon designs. Integrating CFD with lifecycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, and digital twins enables engineering systems that recover resources and minimize environmental footprints.

Research Culture & India’s Context

Q — Can Indian colleges support practical experimental research, or should they focus on computational skills?

A — Indian institutions are increasingly industry- and society-driven. For resource-constrained settings, tools like OpenFOAM and DWSIM let students gain simulation skills on standard PCs. Building computational capacity and targeted experimental efforts together is the way forward.

Q — What gaps exist between academic training and industry expectations?

A — The core issue is strengthening linkages between students, faculty, and industry so they jointly solve real problems. Structural changes help, but collaboration is the most important factor.

Q — How can colleges create a stronger undergraduate research culture in simulation and experimentation?

A — Nurture active CFD communities, strengthen computational infrastructure, and organize training with domain experts so students and faculty gain confidence in both simulation and hands-on experiments.

Teaching & Mentorship

Q — Over nearly 20 years of teaching, what habits have you seen in students who become truly successful?

A — Perseverance, resilience, proactiveness, time management and critical thinking are common among successful students.

Q — How do today’s students compare with those from 10–15 years ago?

A — Today’s students have unmatched access to information via the internet and AI. But critical thinking, curiosity, discipline, and intrinsic motivation remain essential — technology cannot replace those traits.

Q — What’s the most underrated skill every chemical engineering student should develop?

A — Technical communication and report writing, paired with critical thinking, are often underrated yet essential.

Q — Advice for young chemical engineers who want to bridge simulation, experimentation, and sustainability?

A — Read high-quality papers, reproduce published simulations, validate them experimentally, and apply those insights to sustainability-focused problems. Hands-on work builds both confidence and capability.

Vision & Advice

Q — Which chemical engineering areas will be most critical in the next decade for sustainability, waste management, and energy?

A — Process design and intensification, multiscale modeling and simulation, circular economy technologies, and green engineering will be key areas.

Q — What’s been the most memorable moment in your teaching or research career?

A — Setting exam papers meticulously in early teaching days, the first paper acceptance, and seeing students apply their knowledge and succeed have all been unforgettable highlights.

Q — How do you stay curious and motivated after many years in academia?

A — I draw inspiration from the quiet perseverance of mothers — their resilience and creativity remind me to stay curious and keep learning.

Q — How do you handle stress leading a department?

A — Composure and persistence help. I view stress as a force that can drive growth. Maintaining a positive mindset and focusing on solutions is key.