Development of this advanced facility is a key demonstration of the research and technical capabilities of IIT Madras and the nation.

Solutions

This is a unique facility that can address challenging problems in Indian ports, waterways and coastal Engineering.

Facility

This facility has been established through the National Technology Centre for Ports Waterways and Coasts (NTCPWC), a centre dedicated for technological innovations and the evolution of new ideas and breakthroughs in the port and maritime sector.

It works as the technology arm of the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India and provides the needful technological support to ports, IWAI and other institutions, say sources from IIT Madras.

Department of Ocean Engineering at IIT Madras

Prof. Prof. K. Murali, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, said, this facility will position IIT Madras in international arena as one of the institutes that operates the large scale shallow wave basin for research and industry applications.

We no longer need to depend on technology from other countries for the generation of waves in laboratory, he said.

Initiative

Prof. V. Sriram, also from the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, said except a few items that they needed to import due to non-availability, rest of the Shallow Wave Basin was truly a ‘Make in India’ initiative.

It was indigenously developed with most of the fabrications of the wavemaker done within IIT Madras itself, he said.

The entire architecture, communications and designs were made in-house for the operations and sustainability of the facility over the long term, he said.

The facility was conceived with the future government of India initiatives in mind for the new ports and coastal engineering as well as for inland waterways projects, he said.

Prof. Torsten Schlurmann who is also a long-term collaborator at IIT Madras added, that the facility will elevate IIT Madras’ status as a world-class institution for marine science and engineering by facilitating ground-breaking research and international collaboration across a broad range of disciplines.

Fundamental understanding

This state-of-the-art research facility can be used for fundamental understanding as well as for application projects, where the influence of 3D waves on the structures can be critical.

The basin can be used for harbour, coastal, offshore, inland waterways and shallow water manoeuvring-related projects, say sources from IIT Madras.

In these studies, sediment transport – mobile bed modelling, stability of the armour units, hydraulic and hydrodynamic performances, wave impact loading and the determination of the relevant design aspects due to climate change can be ascertained.

Key benefits

The key benefits of this facility include testing of varieties of the coastal structures, post impact analysis of the coastal structures, large solar floating plants, climate change effects and many more.

This large-scale facility is one of its kind in the world with mobile wave maker, thus multiple projects can be carried out parallel, if required.

Planning

With the growing development of new ports in Indian coasts, this indigenous facility will help with the planning and is set to become a crucial tool, say sources from IIT Madras.

With the knowledge gained by creating such a large scale facility, IIT Madras is also set to help other institutes like NITs, IITs and research institutes in India to establish such cutting-edge research centres for their academic and research purposes.

Both waves, current and a combination of these can be generated. As of now, due to the available stroke, velocity limits and basin size, for example, a wave period range from 5 s- 18 s with a significant wave height upto 3m can be easily generated in 1:10 scale or in large scale easily.

The circulation facility around the tank can be efficiently used to generate the currents inside the basin, this will be implemented in the near future.

Scientific support

The NTCPWC gives effective solutions to an extensive range of problems being faced in the industry through scientific support.

It also provides valuable education, applied research and technology transfer in maritime transportation at the local, regional, national and International levels.

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The workshop features 25 participants from Bithoor, Baikunthpur, Mandhana, and Pachaurh of Kanpur Nagar, as well as Sarvankhera and Pukhrayan of Kanpur Dehat.

He is a native of Kanpur, Prof. Prajapati is guiding participants through advanced techniques such as slabbing and coiling, alongside practical methods for constructing low-cost, efficient furnaces for firing pottery, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

RSK at IIT Kanpur

Mrs. Rita Singh, coordinator of activities at RSK said the center is connected to over 100 potters in Kanpur with the goal of placing the city on the pottery map of the state.

This workshop aims to introduce new design thinking and improved processes that will help the potters create products that are more attractive to consumers, he said.

Inauguration

During the inauguration, Prof. Sandeep Sangal, Principal Investigator of RSK at IIT Kanpur encouraged the potters to make the most of this learning opportunity and integrate modern techniques into their traditional practices.

Prof. Kallol Mondal from IIT Kanpur highlighted the importance of applying the knowledge gained in the workshop to enhance their craft.

Prof Shailly, a ceramic expert at IIT Kanpur, provided insights into the workshop’s curriculum.

Prof. Prajapati’s enthusiasm and encouragement motivated the artisans, assuring them that the new techniques are not only easy to adopt but also beneficial in elevating the quality and market appeal of their craft.

Aim

This initiative by the Ranjit Singh Rozi Shiksha Kendra aims to bridge the gap between traditional artistry and modern market demands, say sources from IIT Kanpur.

By nurturing skill development and innovation, it ensures a sustainable future for Kanpur’s rich pottery heritage while empowering potters to thrive in the evolving marketplace.

Renowned for its excellence in science and engineering education, IIT Kanpur has made significant contributions to research and development over the decades.

Its expansive, lush green campus spans 1,050 acres and hosts a rich array of academic and research resources.

The institute comprises 19 departments, 26 centers, three interdisciplinary programs, and two specialized schools across engineering, science, design, humanities, and management disciplines.

With over 590 full-time faculty members and more than 9,500 students, IIT Kanpur continues to be a leader in fostering innovation and academic rigor.

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