IIT ISM Dhanbad secures 1st place in FIPI Hackathon, outperforms leading IITs

SUBHASH MISHRA

Dhanbad, Feb 15: IIT (ISM) Dhanbad has outshone top IITs across the country, securing the first position in the Pan-India IIT FIPI Hackathon, organized by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI), New Delhi.

The IIT ISM team developed a sustainable and eco-friendly method for producing advanced graphene materials using bamboo powder, earning them the top spot.

Award ceremony and recognition

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, the chief guest at the event, presented the award to the IIT ISM team.

The closing ceremony, held at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in Delhi, was also attended by Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

This achievement is particularly significant as IIT ISM Dhanbad outperformed leading IITs of the country such as IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Roorkee.

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Team members and innovation

The winning team comprised Sayantika Thandar (M.Tech, Chemical), Riya Jaisawal (M.Tech, Chemical), Mohammad Faheem (B.Tech, Chemical), and Md. Modassir Ashraf (B.Tech, Chemical).

They developed a patented process for the low-cost production of nitrogen-doped multilayer graphene nanopowder, designed for CO₂ adsorption and conversion.

Research impact and future prospects

Their groundbreaking research was conducted under the guidance of Prof. Ejaz Ahmad from the Department of Chemical Engineering.

“This recognition highlights the innovative spirit of IIT (ISM) students. Their invention marks a crucial step towards sustainable energy solutions, aligning with India’s energy transition goals,” said Prof. Ahmad.

The innovation offers a significant advancement in addressing environmental challenges, particularly carbon dioxide emissions.

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Focus areas of the Hackathon

The Hackathon was centered around two key themes: Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and the Development of Cost-Effective Renewable Energy Sources, Storage Systems, and Integration.

IIT ISM’s pioneering solution stands as a testament to their commitment to sustainable research and technological advancements in the energy sector.