IIT-M ties up with Italian firm for research on sustainable energy

As part of this tie-up, researchers from both the organisations would take up three main projects such as biomass gasification, catalysts for CO2-to-methanol and syngas-to-methanol and Combustion and Oxy-Combustion.

Research groups from Department of Chemical Engineering, National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) and the National Centre for Catalysis Research (NCCR), IIT Madras, have already visited the Sotacarbo campus in Italy and interacted with their team. The agreement is expected to spearhead extensive collaborative research projects that will explore synergies between the groups.

A Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between IIT Madras and Sotacarbo was signed recently and was aimed at fostering collaborative research work between the two institutions in the areas of biomass and coal energy. Dr Gianni Serra, Sotacarbo Director of International Relations, said the JDA will be beneficial to both sides, paving the way for new projects and exchange of both young researchers and students.

Accordingly, through this collaboration, the two organisations will also look at some additional areas such as other energy technologies and carbon capture and storage. Prof Ravindra Gettu, Dean (Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research), IIT Madras, said, “Since energy is an important focus of research in IIT Madras, we welcome this opportunity to collaborate on the various identified areas on sustainable energy.” Dr Alberto Pettinau, Sotacarbo Scientific Director, said, “This research needs a multidisciplinary approach and Sotacarbo and IIT Madras bring to the table different expertise.”