HT Syndication
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], March 21: The 2nd International Conference on Advanced Functional Materials and Devices (AFMD 2026), organized by the Nanotechnology Research Centre (NRC), SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), hosted a prestigious award ceremony at present, recognizing excellent contributions by main scientists in superior supplies research. The convention has drawn an awesome global response, with over 1,000 individuals, together with greater than 160 delegates from 33 nations, underscoring its worldwide significance and tutorial affect.
Held on the Dr. T.P. Ganesan Auditorium as a part of the inaugural session, the occasion introduced collectively eminent scientists, academicians, {industry} leaders, and researchers from throughout the globe, highlighting the rising significance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing global technological challenges. The ceremony featured the presentation of the Dr. T.R. Paarivendhar AFMD Awards, honoring excellence throughout numerous domains of supplies science and engineering.
Among the awardees, Prof. S. Balakumar, University of Madras, Chennai, obtained the Outstanding Researcher Award for his vital contributions to bio-materials, recognizing his impactful work in advancing healthcare-oriented supplies research. The Dr. T R Paarivendhar AFMD Lifetime achievement award was introduced to Prof. Ramaswamy Murugavel from IIT Mumbai and the Lifetime Achievement award in Science was introduced to Prof. Srinivasan Natarajan, from IISc, Bengaluru
Prof. Judy Z. Wu, University of Kansas, USA, was conferred the Outstanding Women Scientist Award for her contributions to supplies science, acknowledging her pioneering research and global tutorial affect.
The Rising Star of Indian Science Award was introduced to Prof. Kanishka Biswas, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, for his distinctive contributions to practical supplies and power research.
In the worldwide class, Prof. Naoki Wakiya, Shizuoka University, Japan, obtained the Outstanding Researcher Award for his work in ceramic supplies, whereas Prof. Yoshimasa Kawata, Shizuoka University, Japan, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his enduring contributions to supplies science and global research collaboration.
Delivering the chief visitor tackle, Dr. R. Balamuralikrishnan, Director, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), DRDO, harassed the significance of innovation-driven research.
‘Global challenges demand interdisciplinary options integrating power, setting, and superior applied sciences. Functional supplies will play a pivotal function in guaranteeing sustainability and technological safety,’ he stated. Highlighting the hole between research and real-world software, he added, ‘Less than 5 per cent of research reaches the stage of product improvement. Bridging this ‘valley of dying’ requires stronger emphasis on manufacturing, testing, and scalability.’
Mr. Krishnan Sadagopan, Senior Vice President – R&D, Ashok Leyland, Chennai, the Guest of Honour,underscored the necessity for industry-academia synergy. ‘Innovation should transfer past laboratories. Aligning research with industrial wants, strengthening patent ecosystems, and specializing in scalable options are essential for nationwide and global affect,’ he stated.
In his particular tackle, Prof. C. Muthamizhchelvan, Vice-Chancellor, SRMIST, reiterated the establishment’s dedication to research excellence. ‘We are selling a strong research ecosystem that integrates tutorial high quality with {industry} relevance. Our focus is on nurturing innovation, selling interdisciplinary collaboration, and contributing to global scientific development,’ he stated. He additional famous that speedy developments in communication applied sciences have considerably decreased geographical boundaries, enabling seamless worldwide collaboration in science and research.
The award ceremony was adopted by a distinguished plenary lecture by Prof. Kanishka Biswas, who spoke on next-generation thermoelectric supplies and their function in sustainable power options.
The organizers stated the awards purpose to encourage younger researchers and encourage long-term, coordinated efforts throughout disciplines and nations. Emphasis was additionally positioned on sustainability, the usage of earth-abundant supplies, and the necessity to tackle geopolitical and techno-economic challenges in know-how improvement.
The convention, scheduled from March 19 to 24, 2026 options plenary classes, parallel technical tracks, oral shows, and {industry} interactions, with participation from main worldwide establishments. As the world navigates advanced technological and environmental challenges, AFMD 2026 reinforces the essential function of science in shaping a greater future. By connecting global experience with rising expertise, the convention just isn’t solely advancing research but in addition igniting a shared imaginative and prescient for innovation, sustainability, and inclusive scientific progress.
ABOUT SRM
SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST-KTR) is a multi-disciplinary college recognised with an A++ accreditation by NAAC and categorized as a Category I college with 12B standing by UGC/MoE. In the 2025 NIRF rankings, SRMIST secured the eleventh place nationally and holds a global ‘4 Star’ score from QS, together with the India-centric QS IGAUGE Diamond score.
Driven by a dedication to tutorial excellence, research innovation, and global outlook, SRMIST-KTR has emerged as one in all India’s most vibrant data ecosystems. SRMIST operates six campuses situated at Kattankulathur and Acharapakkam (Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu), Ramapuram and Ramapuram Part (Vadapalani) in Chennai, Tiruchirapalli (in Tamil Nadu), Modi Nagar in NCR New Delhi, Sonepat (in Haryana), Amaravati (in AP), and Gangtok (in Sikkim). More particulars can be found at www.srmist.edu.in.
SRMIST Contact: Devadeep Konwar
Director – Communications
Email: [email protected]
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