In a significant stride towards technological advancement, the Production and Industrial Engineering Department of Punjab Engineering College (Deemed to be University), Chandigarh, has secured a groundbreaking grant of 2.06 Crores for the DST-FIST Project on 'Nature inspired Laser Surface Texturing Centre.' Led by Principal Investigator Prof. Ravinderjit Singh Walia, and Co-Principal Investigators Dr. Jimmy Karloopia, Dr. Gurpreet Singh and Dr. Jasvinder Singh, this project marks a pivotal moment in the institution's pursuit of cutting-edge research and innovation.
The proposal was presented by the team of Principal Investigators along with Prof. Arun Kumar Singh (Head, SRIC), and Prof. Vasundhara Singh (Dean, Faculty Affairs) at the Birla auditorium in Jaipur on 25th August 2023. The Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has granted this substantial amount, setting a new precedent for research projects at Punjab Engineering College.
The Director of PEC Chandigarh, Prof. Baldev Setia expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the visionary team behind this ambitious venture.
The DST-FIST Project aims to establish state-of-the-art facilities for laser surface texturing of engineering and bio-medical components. The primary objectives include enhancing the tribological properties of these components through nature-inspired laser surface texturing, developing novel self-cleaning and anti-bacterial surfaces, and fostering collaborations with industries and academic institutions for growth in teaching and research.
The anticipated outcomes of the FIST facility development are vast and transformative. This project is poised to train the undergraduate, postgraduate and the doctoral students for industrial jobs with an aim to contribute to the realization of smart manufacturing concepts which can positively impact the local SMEs/MSMEs.
The facility will serve as a training hub for nearby manufacturing industries, engage in consultancy projects in the biomedical field with institutions like PGI Chandigarh and would facilitate skill development for surface texturing in manufacturing-based industries. Additionally, the initiative aims to fuel the growth of small-scale industries, enhance local business and improve the quality of the teaching/learning process.
A wide spectrum of stakeholders stands to benefit from this project that would include students from aerospace, mechanical, materials and metallurgical and chemistry disciplines. Collaborations extend to 29 institutes in and around Chandigarh, such as CRIKC Institutes and the key players like PGI Chandigarh, DRDO-TBRL Chandigarh, IIT Mandi, IIT Roorkee, Luminous Baddi, RCOEM Nagpur, GGSIU Delhi, Asia University Taiwan, SML, Mahindra, Swaraj, International Tractor, Hero, Bhakra Dam and Thermal Power Plant, Borosil Jaipur industries.
The specific support to the incubation cell of PEC - the startup ecosystem – is an integral component of this collaborative and far-reaching initiative.
The awarding of the DST-FIST Project to Punjab Engineering College, positions the institute as a hub for technological innovation, paving the way for groundbreaking advancements in laser surface texturing and its diverse applications.
