IIT-M sets up facility for fluid and thermal science research

The S. Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research is housed at IIT-M’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.
| Photo Credit: B. VELANKANNI RAJ

A state-of-the-art research facility for fluid and thermal science was commissioned at the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) here on Monday. 

The S. Ramakrishnan Centre of Excellence in Fluid and Thermal Science Research will focus on critical advancements in spacecraft and launch vehicle thermal management. Research on heat transfer, cooling systems, and fluid dynamics, essential for the next generation of spacecraft and satellite technologies will be undertaken at the centre. The centre is housed at the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

S. Ramakrishnan, a distinguished alumnus of IIT-M, was the project director for PSLV and GSLV MK3. He also served as the Director of LPSC and VSSC and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2003 for his contributions in the areas of science and engineering.

On the occasion, V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT-M, commissioned the Arcot Ramachandran Seminar Hall. Ramachandran was the Director of the institute from 1967 to 1973, and was instrumental in establishing the heat transfer and thermal power lab.

V. Narayanan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), recalled that when India was denied the cryogenic engine technology, it faced a challenge. Now, the country had three different engines, one of them human-rated.

“Only six countries have this technology. We have made three world records in this technology — we got it right on our third attempt. Second, from engine test to flight, we got it done in 28 months. Other countries took between 42 months and 18 years. Finally, we conducted the test in 34 days, whereas other countries took around five to six months.” 

Urging the institute to aim for Nobel Prizes, Mr. Narayanan said: “The Department of Space will support IIT-M completely in its (research) efforts.”

The Centre will work on addressing heat dissipation challenges in satellites and launch vehicles; conducting experimental and numerical studies on cooling systems; and performing cutting-edge computational fluid dynamics simulations and experimental set up for real-world validation. ISRO scientists will be encouraged to pursue advanced degrees at the institute, while fostering industry-academia collaborations.

Arvind Pattamatta, professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, is the centre’s coordinator. P. Chandramouli, head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, and P.V. Venkitakrishnan, professor of practice, spoke.