Indore (Madhya Pradesh): IIT Indore hosted its first international symposium on materials for sustainable development (ISMSD 2024), for two days from December 21. The symposium was attended by researchers from all around the globe who discussed their works on emerging materials and their application for sustainable development.
The event covered discussions from eminent researchers and industry persons from India, UK, Russia, Finland, Thailand, and Malaysia on several emerging materials ranging from bio-based polymers and their application as next generation electronics to advanced metallic materials.
Existing materials, like steel and concrete, were also discussed with a focus on reducing their carbon emissions and improving their sustainability. Dr Siddhartha Misra, chief research process of Tata Steel Research and Development, Jamshedpur was the chief guest of the symposium.
One of the conveners of the symposium, prof Vinod Kumar said, “It is important to recognise the sustainable development goals and start acting towards them. New and emerging materials are essential for promoting sustainable development. Interdisciplinary researches and cross-disciplinary applications can play a key part in the development of new and emerging materials.”
The symposium was sponsored by SPARC, as part of an ongoing research capacity building project between IIT Indore and the University of Plymouth, UK. Another convener of the symposium, prof Sandeep Chaudhary reflected, “The project focuses on inspiring young researchers in sustainable concrete construction. This is a landmark initiative by SPARC and UKIERI, and provides a great learning opportunity to young researchers in the field of sustainable concrete construction, which is the need of the country. The symposium will allow students to present their research and interact with global experts, further helping them in their growth.”
Earlier, two long-term international student exchange programmes were been organised between IIT Indore and University of Plymouth, where students from each university visited the other for training in the field of sustainable concrete construction.
