Vivek Nair | Circular Economy | Excellence in Applied Research Award

Mr. Vivek Nair | Circular Economy | Excellence in Applied Research Award

IIT Delhi | India

Dr. Vivek Kumar Nair is an environmental biotechnology researcher based at IIT Delhi, whose work has garnered close to 100 citations with an h-index around 10 (based on ~97 citations). With advanced degrees in botany and environmental biotechnology, he has conducted innovative research in tertiary treatment of textile wastewater using oxygenic photogranules, recovery of phycocyanin pigments, and field-scale phytoremediation of chromium-contaminated sites. He has designed and optimized experimental systems combining bioreactors, constructed wetlands, microbial seeding, and analytical tools to evaluate pollutant fate, toxicity, remediation, and sustainable dye applications. His interdisciplinary scholarship is supported by strong computational skills using R, ANN, GA, SVM, SPSS, Origin, and metagenomic analyses. He has received multiple national and international awards and fellowships: a research communication award at IIT Delhi, fully-funded scholar travel and poster awards, Young Rural Innovator and AWSAR Doctoral awards, and selection to global research schools. He actively presents at international conferences and has leadership roles in coordinating circular economy symposiums and workshops. His research interests span soil and groundwater pollution, fate and remediation of dyes and heavy metals, microbiome-mediated bioremediation, and sustainable biotechnology for textile and contaminated site management. His work bridges laboratory innovation with field deployment, underscoring a commitment to scalable environmental solutions.

Profiles : Scopus | Orcid | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

“Phycocyanin from oxygenic photogranules: A feasible ecofriendly dye for cotton and silk fibers”

“Hybrid electrocoagulation and laccase mediated treatment for efficient decolorization of effluent generated from textile industries”

“Phycoremediation of Synthetic Dyes Laden Textile Wastewater and Recovery of Bio-Based Pigments from Residual Biomass: An Approach towards Sustainable Wastewater Management”

“Carbon Storage and Carbon Dioxide Sequestration by Urban Tree Cover: Case Study From Varanasi, India”

Sourav Ranjan Satpathy | Ceramic Engineering | Best Researcher Award

Sourav Ranjan Satpathy | Ceramic Engineering | Best Researcher Award

NIT Rourkela, India

Author Profile

ORCID

GOOGLE SCHOLAR

🎓 EARLY ACADEMIC PURSUITS

Sourav Ranjan Satpathy embarked on his academic journey with a deep-rooted passion for physics and material science. He completed his postgraduate studies in Physics from Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, Odisha, where he cultivated a strong foundation in fundamental sciences. His keen interest in research led him to qualify GATE (Physics) in 2022, a national-level competitive examination that opened doors to advanced research.

🏢 PROFESSIONAL ENDEAVORS

Currently, Sourav is serving as a Research Scholar (Ph.D. Student) at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela, one of India’s premier institutes. He is actively engaged in interdisciplinary research in the Department of Ceramic Engineering. His doctoral research brings together core physics principles and innovative material science approaches, specifically focusing on clay-based geopolymer adsorbents for environmental cleanup.

📚 CONTRIBUTIONS AND RESEARCH FOCUS IN CERAMIC ENGINEERING

Sourav’s research revolves around the synthesis and performance evaluation of geopolymer materials—a class of advanced ceramics derived from industrial waste and natural clays. His recent publication:

Satpathy, Sourav Ranjan, and Sunipa Bhattacharyya. “Adsorptive dye removal using clay-based geopolymer: Effect of activation conditions on geopolymerization and removal efficiency.” Materials Science and Engineering: B 319 (2025): 118348.

highlights his breakthrough in wastewater treatment through eco-friendly and cost-effective ceramic adsorbents. He explores the adsorption kinetics, material regeneration, and the influence of activation conditions—critical parameters for practical environmental applications.

🏅 RESEARCH GRANTS AND FUNDING

Currently, Sourav’s work is supported through institutional infrastructure and academic grants facilitated by NIT Rourkela. He is poised to secure independent or collaborative funding from national research councils such as DST, CSIR, and SERB, aiming to expand the scope of applied ceramic engineering in environmental science.

🌍 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

Sourav’s work aligns with global goals of sustainable development, especially UNSDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and UNSDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). By developing geopolymer materials from waste clays and industrial byproducts, his research contributes toward circular economy models, reducing landfill waste, and offering scalable technologies for industrial wastewater remediation.

🧭 LEGACY AND FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS

Sourav envisions scaling up his research into pilot-scale environmental solutions, collaborating with industries to implement adsorbent technologies for textile dye effluent treatment and heavy metal removal. His broader mission includes fostering awareness about low-carbon materials and mentoring future researchers in eco-materials and environmental technology.

 ✅CONCLUSION

Sourav Ranjan Satpathy represents the emerging generation of multidisciplinary Indian researchers, committed to scientific excellence, environmental stewardship, and technological innovation. His contribution to ceramic-based adsorbents is not only scientifically relevant but socially responsible, addressing some of the most pressing ecological challenges. As a nominee for the Best Researcher Award, Sourav brings merit, passion, and promise—hallmarks of a future leader in sustainable material science.

 🔬NOTABLE PUBLICATION:

Adsorptive dye removal using clay-based geopolymer: Effect of activation conditions on geopolymerization and removal efficiency

Author(s): Sourav Ranjan Satpathy, Sunipa Bhattacharyya
Journal: Materials Science and Engineering: B
Year: 2025


Clay Based Geopolymer Adsorbent and Its Application for Methylene Blue Dye Removal from Wastewater System

Author(s): Sourav Ranjan Satpathy, Sunipa Bhattacharyya
Journal: (Not specified; likely unpublished or conference/workshop paper)
Year: 2023