New Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has taken a significant step by inaugurating a Center of Excellence focused on advancing membrane technologies for water desalination, brine management, and water recycling. The center’s facilities, including the advanced instrumentation facility and website, have been set up to facilitate research and development in this critical area. Heading the center is Professor Swatantra Pratap Singh from the department of environmental science and engineering.
During the launch event, distinguished guests including Professor S Sudarshan, Deputy Director (AIA) of IIT Bombay; Professor Milind Atrey, Dean (R&D) of IIT Bombay; Dr. Praveen Arora, Head of Water Technologies Cell at DST; and Professor Subhankar Karmarkar, Head of ESED at IIT Bombay, were present to mark the occasion.
The primary objectives of this newly established center are to devise innovative strategies and technologies for desalination, sustainable water treatment, and efficient water reuse. It aims to actively engage researchers and innovators from both India and abroad to tackle water-related challenges effectively. Additionally, the center will play a pivotal role in supporting the incubation and commercialization of cutting-edge technologies and products in the water sector.
IITB emphasized that this Center represents a significant step forward in ensuring safe, reliable, and sustainable potable water sources for rural and urban areas of India, catering to both industrial and domestic applications using advanced membrane technologies.
This collaborative effort involves five IITs— IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Tirupati, and IIT Hyderabad, which will work closely with various industries, NGOs, and stakeholders to develop a wide array of desalination, brine management, and water recycling technologies. The ultimate goal is to address the challenges faced in the field with state-of-the-art solutions, leveraging the expertise and resources of multiple institutions and partners.