CRDTH

CRDTH is expanded into Common Research and Technology Development Hub and is sponsored by Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. This hub will help local micro and small enterprises develop technological solutions for off-grid and on-grid renewable energy systems and nurture start-ups.

Project
Department of Electrical Engineering of NIT Andhra Pradesh in collaboration with other departments of the institute will be leading the work related to the project of CRDTH.

India has crossed the milestone of 100 GW in renewable energy generation and moved towards strong green and sustainable energy transition, he said. Speaking further about CRDTH, Professor Rao said this CRDTH will bridge the gap between academia and industries and will strengthen the relationship for mutual benefits.

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I congratulate the Department of Electrical Engineering of NIT Andhra Pradesh for creating such a Research and Development Centre and shows gratitude to DSIR for the sanction of the project, he said.

Ø Delivering first hand Research and Development technological solutions to the MSEs’ in the Renewable Energy sector including testing services

Ø Developing data-driven simulation and design tools for assessment of renewable resource potential, cost assessment, operation-maintenance planning and risk assessment through testing and characterising of renewable resources

Ø Designing and developing solutions to the decentralized power generation and to increase the penetration of renewable energies to the grid

Ø Developing optimal sizing and power control strategies for hybrid renewable systems consisting of photovoltaic, wind, hydro, fuel cells including battery management.

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Ø Analyzing the power converters efficiency and reliability by developing loss models and mission profile parameters taken at MSE’s location towards the selection of suitable power converters in renewable systems

Ø Supporting MSEs in technological solutions towards Power quality enhancement in off-grid and on-grid renewable energy systems

Ø Skill development of manpower of MSEs through training and capacity building programmes

Ø The information on deliverables of the research outcome/testing equipment will be shared with MSEs through an online interactive portal

Key objectives
Dr. V. Sandeep, Head, Department of Electrical Engineering at NIT Andhra Pradesh spoke about objectives of CRDTH. CRDTH will cater to the needs of Renewable Energy-based Micro and Small Enterprises in Vishakhapatnam and Chennai industrial corridor supporting Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative by the inclusion of various stakeholders’ expertise in the Institute.

We will improve the skill sets of Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) manpower in the creation of a platform that will facilitate training in special areas of renewable system. Dr. Sandeep is also project manager at CRDTH.

CRDTH facilitates Micro and Small Enterprises to participate in building alternative systems for sources of energy and encourages Indigenous design, development and manufacturing capability of cost-effective processing equipment and energy-efficient technologies to reduce energy consumption, he said.

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Dr. P. Sankar is also the project manager with CRDTH. Dr Dinesh P. Sankar Reddy, Registrar In-charge, NIT Andhra Pradesh, appreciated the working team and encouraged the faculty members for applying such industry-sponsored research projects towards strengthening the academia-industry relationships of the institute.

Designed to monitor the freshness of seafood in real-time by responding to pH changes, the film offers a practical solution for improving food safety and reducing waste.

This film detects the release of volatile amines, compounds typically associated with spoilage, and indicates food quality through visible color changes, say sources from NIT Rourkela.

These natural components make the film biodegradable, safe, and responsive, aligning with sustainability goals and offering a non-invasive way to assess seafood freshness.

Findings

The findings of this research have been published in the journal Food Packaging and Shelf Life in a paper co-authored by Prof. Preetam Sarkar (as the lead corresponding author), along with his research scholars, Mr. Rahul Thakur, Miss Harshi Singhi, Mr. Vedsagar Rajesh Suryavanshi, and Dr. Ravichandran Santhosh.

Other co-authors in this work include Dr. Khalid Gul from NIT Rourkela, Dr. Swarup Roy from Lovely Professional University, Dr. Srinivas Janaswamy from South Dakota State University, Brookings, USA and Dr. Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad from IIT Roorkee.

Fishing

India is the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing approximately 8% of global fish production, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

It also holds the distinction of being the top five producer of shrimp globally, with frozen shrimp being the top export commodity.

Given the scale and importance of seafood production, innovations that ensure freshness and reduce spoilage are of immense value, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

In this context, intelligent packaging systems, which preserve food while monitoring its quality, are rapidly gaining global interest.

Unlike conventional packaging that serves merely as a protective barrier, the intelligent packaging film developed by NIT Rourkela team offers visual cues about the product’s condition, making it a promising solution for enhancing food safety and reducing waste.

The beetroot peel extract was prepared separately, and then combined with the starch, gum tragacanth, and a small amount of glycerol to cast the films.

These were dried and tested for their pH-sensitivity and effectiveness in monitoring seafood freshness, said Prof Preetam of NIT Rourkela.

Pigments

Beetroot peels contain betalains, a group of pigments known for their bright colours and pH sensitivity, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

These pigments also offer antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, making them suitable for food-related applications.

Incorporating these natural compounds into the starch-based film creates a biodegradable, safe, and responsive packaging material.

When the seafood begins to spoil and pH levels rise, the film changes colour, providing a clear visual indicator of freshness.

Starch

The choice of Kodo millet starch and gum tragacanth contributes to the film’s biodegradable and eco-friendly profile.

Kodo millet is an underutilised grain with excellent film-forming properties, while gum tragacanth enhances the mechanical strength and flexibility of the material.

The researchers believe that using such agricultural by-products not only supports sustainability but also adds value to food processing waste, such as beetroot peels.

At the laboratory scale, the cost of producing the film was estimated approximately Rs. 900 per kilogram.

When scaled up for industrial production, the cost is projected to range between Rs. 400 and Rs. 600 per kilogram, making it a potentially viable option for commercial use.

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