PhD TA Topics by Research Areas

The department is involved in a variety of frontier and traditional areas in chemical engineering research, under the broad areas of:

• Biological Systems Engineering
• Energy & Environment
• Materials Engineering
• Process Systems Engineering
• Reactor Engineering
• Transport Phenomena and Complex Fluids

The following are the various topics offered for PhD under these areas for the TA category students. The topics categorised by faculty is available here.

• Biological Systems Engineering

  (Biotechnology, Systems Biology, Bio-informatics)
  • Biochemical Engineering
    • Adaptive Control of Bioreactors
    • Genetic engineering for production of aromatic products
    • Metabolic Engineering of Cyanobacteria for enhanced biofuel production.
    • Engineering ketoreductase enzymes for chiral synthesis
    • Systems Biology of Protein Secretion in Recombinant Mammalian Cells
    • Production of cellulases
    • Development of a novel bacterial expression and catalysis system
  • Biomolecular Engineering
    • Control of noise propagation during TNFa signaling
    • Peptide immobilization on polymer-grafted surfaces for biosensor applications (TA/FA)
    • Molecular Modeling of Elasticity of Spider Silk and Related Biopolymers
    • Cell spreading and motility: Mathematical modeling and computer simulations (TA)
    • Genetic engineering for production of aromatic products
    • A systems biology approach to elucidate stress response networks in Mycobacterium smegmatis.
    • Systems Biology of Protein Secretion in Recombinant Mammalian Cells
    • Production of cellulases
    • Development of a novel bacterial expression and catalysis system
    • Cross-talks and information processing during TNFa signaling
    • Signal transduction during neutrophil chemotaxis on bioactive surfaces (TA/FA)
  • Computational Biology
    • Control of noise propagation during TNFa signaling
    • Ab Initio Protein Structure Prediction 
    • A systems biology approach to elucidate stress response networks in Mycobacterium smegmatis.
    • Metabolic Engineering of Cyanobacteria for enhanced biofuel production.
    • Engineering ketoreductase enzymes for chiral synthesis
    • Cross-talks and information processing during TNFa signaling
  • Enzymology
    • Genetic engineering for production of aromatic products
    • Engineering ketoreductase enzymes for chiral synthesis
    • Production of cellulases
    • Development of a novel bacterial expression and catalysis system
    • Porous carbon and silica based nanocomposites: Synthesis, dynamics and applications
  • Systems Biology
    • Control of noise propagation during TNFa signaling
    • Liposomes for targeted delivery and controlled release of anti-inflammatory drug (TA/FA)
    • Cell spreading and motility: Mathematical modeling and computer simulations (TA)
    • A systems biology approach to elucidate stress response networks in Mycobacterium smegmatis.
    • Metabolic Engineering of Cyanobacteria for enhanced biofuel production.
    • Chemotaxis in E coli
    • Systems Biology of Protein Secretion in Recombinant Mammalian Cells
    • Cross-talks and information processing during TNFa signaling
    • Signal transduction during neutrophil chemotaxis on bioactive surfaces (TA/FA)

• Energy & Environment

  (Energy, Environment, Climate)
  • Climate Change
    • Simulated moving bed reactors
    • Scaling Model for Atmospheric Pollutant Dispersion and Effects on Regional Climate
    • Stochastic life-cycle impact assessment of algal biofuels
  • Coal Gasification
    • Studies in CTL (coal to liquid) technology
    • Carbon sequestration using carbon dioxide absorption in aqueous mineral  suspensions
    • Carbon & Nitrogen Removal from Water
  • Green Engineering
    • Synth., Value­ Addn and Processing of PLA, PGA  and their copolymers via cost effective, ecofriendly processes
    • Synth., Value­-Addn and Processing of Biodegradable Poly(L­-lactic acid) Nanocomposites, with Cellulosic (“Green”) Nanofillers
    • Reaction Engg Studies in carbon Nitrogen Removal in Soil 
    • Complex systems approach for sustainability assessment
    • Stochastic life-cycle impact assessment of algal biofuels
    • Design and synthesis of novel materials for carbon capture: Molecular modeling study
  • Pollution
    • Complex systems approach for sustainability assessment
    • Design and synthesis of novel materials for carbon capture: Molecular modeling study
  • Renewable Resources
    • Synth., Value­ Addn and Processing of PLA, PGA  and their copolymers via cost effective, ecofriendly processes
    • Synth., Value­-Addn and Processing of Biodegradable Poly(L­-lactic acid) Nanocomposites, with Cellulosic (“Green”) Nanofillers
    • Complex systems approach for sustainability assessment
    • Stochastic life-cycle impact assessment of algal biofuels
    • Model based control of transesterification of algal lipids for biodiesel production

• Materials Engineering

  (Nano-Materials and Polymers)
  • Biomaterials
    • Mathematical modeling and computer simulation of self-assembled nano-capsules (TA)
    • Cell spreading and motility: Mathematical modeling and computer simulations (TA)
    • Biomimetic Scaffolds and Reactors for Tissue Engineering
    • Scaling Model for Atmospheric Pollutant Dispersion and Effects on Regional Climate
  • Drug Delivery
    • Mechanical properties and biocompatibility of polymer hydrogels for tissue engineering applications (TA/FA)
    • Aerosol synthesis of lipid nanoparticles with hydrophilic cores for multiple drug encapsulation
    • Vesicles in shear flows
    • Mathematical modeling and computer simulation of self-assembled nano-capsules (TA)
  • Microscopy
    • Nanoindentation and Modeling Studies of Polymer-­Metal Thin Films
  • Molecular Simulations
    • Elasticity Relationships for Filled Elastomers
    • Molecular Simulation of Phase Transitions in Polymers 
    • Ab Initio Protein Structure Prediction 
    • Molecular Modeling of Elasticity of Spider Silk and Related Biopolymers
    • Porous carbon and silica based nanocomposites: Synthesis, dynamics and applications
    • Functional Nanoparticles: Experiments, modeling, simulation
    • Design and synthesis of novel materials for carbon capture: Molecular modeling study
  • Nano-composites
    • Molecular Simulation of Phase Transitions in Polymers 
    • Structure­-Processing Analysis of Biodegradable Lactic Acid Polymers
    • Synth., Value­ Addn and Processing of PLA, PGA  and their copolymers via cost effective, ecofriendly processes
    • Synth., Value­-Addn and Processing of Biodegradable Poly(L­-lactic acid) Nanocomposites, with Cellulosic (“Green”) Nanofillers
    • Mechanism of Film formation and Cracking in Latex Blends 
    • Peptide immobilization on polymer-grafted surfaces for biosensor applications (TA/FA)
    • Porous carbon and silica based nanocomposites: Synthesis, dynamics and applications
    • Design and synthesis of novel materials for carbon capture: Molecular modeling study
  • Nanoparticles
    • Mechanical properties and biocompatibility of polymer hydrogels for tissue engineering applications (TA/FA)
    • Supercritical Fluid-based Nanoparticle Production: Theoretical and Experimental Studies
    • Aerosol synthesis of lipid nanoparticles with hydrophilic cores for multiple drug encapsulation
    • Multi­scale simulation of anisotropic Nanoparticles
    • Simulation of spherical and anisotropic Nanoparticles in laboratory and large scale processes 
    • Synth., Value­-Addn and Processing of Biodegradable Poly(L­-lactic acid) Nanocomposites, with Cellulosic (“Green”) Nanofillers
    • Mathematical modeling and computer simulation of self-assembled nano-capsules (TA)
    • Mechanisms for precipitation of nano particles by pressure reduction of gas expanded liquids
    • Functional Nanoparticles: Experiments, modeling, simulation
    • Design and synthesis of novel materials for carbon capture: Molecular modeling study
  • Polymer Physics
    • Studies in Interfacial polycondensation: Micro-encapsulation and Membrane synthesis
    • Elasticity Relationships for Filled Elastomers
    • Molecular Simulation of Phase Transitions in Polymers 
    • Ab Initio Protein Structure Prediction 
    • Synth., Value­-Addn and Processing of Biodegradable Poly(L­-lactic acid) Nanocomposites, with Cellulosic (“Green”) Nanofillers
    • Nanoindentation and Modeling Studies of Polymer-­Metal Thin Films
    • Molecular Modeling of Elasticity of Spider Silk and Related Biopolymers
  • Polymer Processing
    • Structure­-Processing Analysis of Biodegradable Lactic Acid Polymers
    • Synth., Value­ Addn and Processing of PLA, PGA  and their copolymers via cost effective, ecofriendly processes
    • Synth., Value­-Addn and Processing of Biodegradable Poly(L­-lactic acid) Nanocomposites, with Cellulosic (“Green”) Nanofillers
    • Nanoindentation and Modeling Studies of Polymer-­Metal Thin Films
    • Peptide immobilization on polymer-grafted surfaces for biosensor applications (TA/FA)
  • Statistical Themodynamics
    • Elasticity Relationships for Filled Elastomers
    • Molecular Simulation of Phase Transitions in Polymers 
    • Effect of electric field on drop, vesicle and cell deformation
    • Molecular Modeling of Elasticity of Spider Silk and Related Biopolymers
    • Design and synthesis of novel materials for carbon capture: Molecular modeling study
  • Surface Science
    • Mechanical properties and biocompatibility of polymer hydrogels for tissue engineering applications (TA/FA)
    • Granular segregation and packing in surface flows
    • Peptide immobilization on polymer-grafted surfaces for biosensor applications (TA/FA)
    • Cell spreading and motility: Mathematical modeling and computer simulations (TA)
    • Porous carbon and silica based nanocomposites: Synthesis, dynamics and applications
    • Design and synthesis of novel materials for carbon capture: Molecular modeling study
  • Thin films
    • Studies in Interfacial polycondensation: Micro-encapsulation and Membrane synthesis
    • Nanoindentation and Modeling Studies of Polymer-­Metal Thin Films

• Process Systems Engineering

  (Systems Engineering and Control)
  • Data Analysis
    • Stochastic life-cycle impact assessment of algal biofuels
  • Modelling
    • Synth., Value­ Addn and Processing of PLA, PGA  and their copolymers via cost effective, ecofriendly processes
    • Robust tube-based MPC of hybrid systems: A multi-model approach
    • Modeling and Control of CO2 valorization processes
    • Combustion control for energy efficiency enhancement
    • Studies on Optimization of PSA Processes
    • Bayesian State estimation and Nonlinear Control of Complex Distillation and Reactive Distillation Systems
    • Simulation-based process design for gas phase adsorptive separations
    • Attainable regions for adsorptive separations
    • Complex systems approach for sustainability assessment
    • Stochastic life-cycle impact assessment of algal biofuels
    • Model based control of transesterification of algal lipids for biodiesel production
  • Optimisation
    • Synth., Value­ Addn and Processing of PLA, PGA  and their copolymers via cost effective, ecofriendly processes
    • Modeling and Control of CO2 valorization processes
    • Combustion control for energy efficiency enhancement
    • Studies on Optimization of PSA Processes
  • Process Control
    • Adaptive Control of Bioreactors
    • Pattern recognition using Geometric Data Analysis
    • Characterization of Conducting polymers
    • Modeling and Control of CO2 valorization processes
    • Combustion control for energy efficiency enhancement
    • Applications of Nonlinear State Estimation To Diagnosis and Advanced Control of Bioreactors
    • Bayesian State estimation and Nonlinear Control of Complex Distillation and Reactive Distillation Systems
    • Model based control of transesterification of algal lipids for biodiesel production

• Reactor Engineering

  (Reactor Engineering and Catalysis)
  • Catalysis
    • Hot zone formation in autothermal packed-bed reactors
    • Development of a novel bacterial expression and catalysis system
  • Multiphase Reaction
    • Hot zone formation in autothermal packed-bed reactors
    • Process development studies in multifunctional reactors
    • Synth., Value­ Addn and Processing of PLA, PGA  and their copolymers via cost effective, ecofriendly processes
    • Synth., Value­-Addn and Processing of Biodegradable Poly(L­-lactic acid) Nanocomposites, with Cellulosic (“Green”) Nanofillers
    • Development of a novel bacterial expression and catalysis system
  • Reaction Engineering
    • Synth., Value­ Addn and Processing of PLA, PGA  and their copolymers via cost effective, ecofriendly processes
    • Synth., Value­-Addn and Processing of Biodegradable Poly(L­-lactic acid) Nanocomposites, with Cellulosic (“Green”) Nanofillers
    • Reaction Engg Studies in carbon Nitrogen Removal in Soil 
    • Development of a novel bacterial expression and catalysis system
  • Reactor Modelling
    • Distillation and combined reaction-distillation systems
    • Hot zone formation in autothermal packed-bed reactors
    • Microreactors: Experiments and modeling
    • Synth., Value­ Addn and Processing of PLA, PGA  and their copolymers via cost effective, ecofriendly processes
    • Model based control of transesterification of algal lipids for biodiesel production

• Transport Phenomena and Complex Fluids

  (Fluid Mechanics and Rheology, Soft-Matter)
  • Adsorption
    • Porous carbon and silica based nanocomposites: Synthesis, dynamics and applications
  • Colloids
    • Mechanical properties and biocompatibility of polymer hydrogels for tissue engineering applications (TA/FA)
    • Porous carbon and silica based nanocomposites: Synthesis, dynamics and applications
    • Functional Nanoparticles: Experiments, modeling, simulation
    • Design and synthesis of novel materials for carbon capture: Molecular modeling study
  • Computational Flow Modelling (CFD)
    • Mechanical properties and biocompatibility of polymer hydrogels for tissue engineering applications (TA/FA)
    • Liposomes for targeted delivery and controlled release of anti-inflammatory drug (TA/FA)
    • Mathematical modeling and computer simulation of self-assembled nano-capsules (TA)
    • Cell spreading and motility: Mathematical modeling and computer simulations (TA)
  • Electrohydrodynamics
    • Stability Of Single And Double Emulsions
  • Fluid Mechanics and Stability
    • Scaling Model for Atmospheric Pollutant Dispersion and Effects on Regional Climate
  • Heat and Mass Transfer
    • Studies in Interfacial polycondensation: Micro-encapsulation and Membrane synthesis
  • Porous Media
    • Porous carbon and silica based nanocomposites: Synthesis, dynamics and applications
    • Design and synthesis of novel materials for carbon capture: Molecular modeling study
  • Rheology
    • Mechanical properties and biocompatibility of polymer hydrogels for tissue engineering applications (TA/FA)
    • Liposomes for targeted delivery and controlled release of anti-inflammatory drug (TA/FA)
    • Structure­-Processing Analysis of Biodegradable Lactic Acid Polymers
    • Synth., Value­ Addn and Processing of PLA, PGA  and their copolymers via cost effective, ecofriendly processes
    • Synth., Value­-Addn and Processing of Biodegradable Poly(L­-lactic acid) Nanocomposites, with Cellulosic (“Green”) Nanofillers
    • Peptide immobilization on polymer-grafted surfaces for biosensor applications (TA/FA)
    • Characterization of Conducting polymers
  • Separations
    • Porous carbon and silica based nanocomposites: Synthesis, dynamics and applications
    • Design and synthesis of novel materials for carbon capture: Molecular modeling study
  • Surfactants
    • Mechanical properties and biocompatibility of polymer hydrogels for tissue engineering applications (TA/FA)
    • Functional Nanoparticles: Experiments, modeling, simulation

Quantification of metabolism in Escherichia coli under uncertain environments

The project deals with characterizing metabolism of e. coli under nutritional shifts and under changing environmental conditions such as temperature and pH.

PhD TA Topics by Faculty

PhD topics offered for the TA category students is listed here under various faculty. A list of project categorised by research areas is also available.

Rajdip Bandyopadhyaya

Jayesh Bellare

Sharad Bhartiya

Mani Bhushan

Abhijit Chatterjee

Partha Sarathi Goswami

Ravindra D Gudi

Venkat Gundabala

Sameer Jadhav

Vinay A. Juvekar

Devang V Khakhar

Sanjay M Mahajani

Ateeque Malani

Anurag Mehra

Sarika Mehra

Arun Sadashio Moharir

Hemant Nanavati

Santosh Noronha

Sachin C Patwardhan

Sandip Roy

Hariharan S. Shankar

Yogendra Shastri

P Sunthar

A. K. Suresh

Rochish Thaokar

Mahesh S Tirumkudulu

Chandra Venkataraman

K. V. Venkatesh

Madhu Vinjamur

Ganesh A Viswanathan

Pramod P Wangikar