Category: Alumni & Community

Manikandan S, was a research exchange scholar from the University of Kerala, at RWTH Aachen University from 01/10/2023 until 31/12/2023. Starting as the participant for the IGCS #WinterSchool in 2022 and again in 2023, he applied for the IGCS Grant for 2023 under IGCS’ Prof. Klaus Reicherter for his research on “Interstitial water-sediment characteristics from the tsunami affected areas of Kayamkulam and Edava-Nadayara Estuary, Southwest coast of Kerala, India.” His home supervisor is Dr.Jaya D.S.

He shares with us his experience report accounting his experience at the RWTH Aachen University, and Aachen City which was supported by the IGCS. He talks about moments that significantly improved his research skills and widended his global perspective and more! Manikandan’s experience report exemplifies IGCS’ core vision of harnessing the transformative power of international academic collaboration in climate science and sustainabilty.

About IGCS Grants

IGCS awards scholarships to students and researchers whose projects on sustainability issues benefit from a research exchange to India or Germany. The scholarship consists of a mobility grant and an accommodation grant.

For more information visit our website: https://www.igcs-chennai.org/grants/

The IGCS takes pride in sharing testimonial videos from our recent exchange scholars, where our researchers share first hand academic and cultural experience in their host country.

Today we share the accounts from Akshaya T R who stayed with us at RWTH Aachen University, Germany from 02.12.23 until 01.06.24. Akshaya shares her impression of Germany, research motivation and overall experience with the IGCS.

About IGCS Grants:

IGCS awards scholarships to students and researchers whose projects on sustainability issues benefit from a research exchange to India or Germany. The scholarship consists of a mobility grant and an accommodation grant.

For more information visit our website: https://www.igcs-chennai.org/grants/

RWTH Aachen University’s alumni organization and IIT Madras cordially invite you to a one-day symposium showcasing the strategic partnership between these two esteemed institutions. The highlight of the program will be a thought-provoking panel discussion on “Regenerating Cities: Issues of Resilience,” organized by the Indo-German Center for Sustainability (IGCS). Join us for a full-day event, providing ample opportunities to network and engage with RWTH alumni, IGCS members, academics from both institutes, and representatives from Indo-German businesses.

For further details, please visit the dedicated event website: https://ge.iitm.ac.in/iitm-rwth/

Please find the event information below:

Details and Schedule

Date: February 21^st, 2024. Time: 11:00 AM IST – 17:30 PM IST

Venue: Hall 3, IC & SR Building, IIT Madras Campus, Chennai

Event Schedule

11:00-12:00 PM: Inauguration of alumni event

• Prof. Dr. Kamakoti Veezhinathan, Director IIT Madras
• Prof. Dr. Ulrich Ruediger, Rector RWTH Aachen University
• Prof. Dr. Mahesh Panchagnula, Dean – Alumni and Corporate Relations, IITM
• Prof. Dr. Bernd Markert, Rector’s Delegate for Alumni Relations, RWTH

12:00–12:45 PM: Strategic Partnership of IITM and RWTH

• Dr. Fabian Falter: RWTH’s India Activities
• Dr. Malati Raghunath: IITM’s Germany Activities

12:45 -1:30 PM: Lunch

2:00 – 3:30 PM: Panel Discussion (organized by IGCS)

“Regenerating Cities: Issues of Resilience”

Moderation: Prof. Martina Fromhold-Eisebith (RWTH) & Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam (IITM)

Panelists: Prof. S.A. Sannasiraj (IITM), Prof. Nicola Fohrer (CAU Kiel), Prof. Frank Behrendt (TU Berlin), Prof. Dirk Weichgrebe (LU Hannover)

3:30-4:00pm: Snacks

4:00-5:30 PM: Networking & display of initiatives/companies

Registrations for RWTH Alumni: here

Registrations for IITM Alumni: here

We look forward to your participation in our anticipated event.

IGCS Research Exchange Grantee, Shivam Dwivedi, from the Department of Metallurgical & Material Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai, India, reported their research brief that addresses the challenges in the #fabrication of proton-conducting #electrolysis cells (#PCECs) for large-scale electricity storage by aiming to harness the potential of hydrogen gas for reliable electricity storage. Their research delves into the intricacies of fabricating air electrode cer-cer composites, addressing critical factors such as chemical compatibility, sintering behavior, and mechanical properties.

Through a meticulous process, the study identifies key compositions and optimal sintering temperatures, ultimately honing in on a 70:30 ratio as the most promising candidate. Notably, the inclusion of 3% ethyl cellulose in the binder solution further elevates the material’s potential as an air electrode. Symmetric cells, formed by screen-printing the optimized composite pastes onto sintered electrolyte pellets, undergo thorough examination via scanning electron microscopy.

The research’s significance lies in its electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, conducted between 400-700°C with wet air (3% H2O). Amidst a plethora of compositions and conditions, the 70:30 ratio, with its exceptional #electrocatalytic activity, emerges triumphant as the frontrunner for an air electrode material. This research not only sheds light on the intricacies of PCECs but also paves the way for #transformative advancements in energy storage technology.

Shivam acknowledges Prof. Ravi Kumar, Prof. Olivier Guillon, Prof. Menzler, Dr. Mariya E. Ivanova and Prof. Krishna Vasudevan for their guidance, Sivaguru Nathan for introducing them to the IGCS and IGCS Project Coordinator Lisa Van Aalst for their assistance through the whole application process to RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich, in Aachen, Germany.

You can read the full report below:

Shivam Dwivedi, was an IGCS grantee from the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department at IIT Madras, Chennai, India. Shivam recently completed their research exchange program at RWTH Aachen University, and Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany, under the mentorship of Prof. Olivier Guillon and Dr. Mariya Ivanova. His research focuses on Proton Conducting Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells, exploring innovative solutions for storing renewable energy.

In their insightful report, Shivam shares their journey navigating challenges and adapting their research to present significant progress towards their M.S. thesis. From the meticulous planning required for visa arrangements to the vibrant cultural experiences in Germany, Shivam’s narrative provides valuable insights for future IGCS scholars. He emphasizes the importance of embracing extracurricular activities and fostering emotional resilience amidst academic rigour, highlighting the holistic growth fostered by IGCS exchange programs.

You can read their full experience report here:

IGCS Exchange Research Grantee Shiva Kumar Rajendra details their meticulous preparation, challenges with accommodation, and the enriching academic experience from their home institution at University of Mysore, supervised under Prof. Jayashree P. to their host institution at RWTH Aachen University under the guidance of Prof. Martina Fromhold-Eisebith.

Shiva explored the topic of “Spatial Dimensions of Urban Agriculture in India and Germany”, where they did a comparative study between Bengaluru and Aachen to understand agricultural dynamics over two decades (2003–2023). Revealing distinct patterns influenced by urbanization, culture, and climate, they highlighted the importance of preserving green spaces, adopting sustainable techniques, and smart land use planning amid urbanization. Urban agriculture emerges as a practical solution for nutritional challenges, community resilience, and additional income, despite limitations. The comparative study offers valuable insights, fostering international partnerships to achieve Sustainable Development Goals.

You can read their full experience report here:

Nico Dabelstein was an IGCS research exchange grantee and a part of a research group led by IIT Madras, Chennai’s Prof. Dr. Krishna Vasudevan, where they’re pioneering the development of a cutting-edge microgrid on the campus area.

Nico’s focus on Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) aims to optimize energy distribution within the grid, employing this powerful machine learning technique to enhance effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and economic performance. Through meticulous data collection and Python modeling of microgrid components using libraries like stablebaselines3 and pandas, Nico’s team has crafted a sophisticated reward function considering costs, CO2 emissions, and battery state of charge. By integrating a Pandapower Python model for accurate component modeling and optimal power flow calculations, alongside an artificial neural network (ANN) for swift OPF approximations crucial for DRL agent training, they’re paving the way for a robust control algorithm to manage fluctuating renewable energy and demand within the microgrid.

You can read their full research brief below:

Nandhini Duraimurugan is a Ph.D. research scholar from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai who conducted a six month research exchange at RWTH Aachen, Germany. They were affiliated with the Department of Ocean Engineering at IIT Madras under the guidance of Prof. K. Murali and were hosted by the Institute of Textile Technology where they were supervised by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirt. Ing. Thomas Gries.

They detailed essential aspects such as navigating visa procedures, securing accommodation, and tapping into university resources. If you’re considering a research voyage to Aachen, Nandhini’s report provides valuable insights to streamline your journey and maximize your experience.

You can read their full experience report below:

Nico Dabelstein was an IGCS research exchange participant from Technical University Berlin for the funding period of 2023. They shared their enriching experience at IIT Madras with the IGCS team for future prospective scholars.

They were also a participant during the Winter School 2023 in Chennai, and following this they applied to a conduct a three-month research stint collaborating with the Department of Electrical Engineering under the guidance from Prof. Dr. Krishna Vasudevan. From meticulous visa planning to adjusting insurance and packing essentials, Nico navigated the preparatory phase with precision. Accommodation options, bureaucratic challenges, and cultural immersion added depth to their stay. However, despite hurdles, Nico’s independent work and insightful meetings fuelled their academic and personal growth.

Nico expresses gratitude to IGCS and supervisors for this invaluable opportunity, emphasizing the transformative nature of their time at IIT Madras. You can read their full testimonial here: