Dr. Prabir Sarkar is an accomplished Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, where he also served as the founding Chairman of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) cell.

Prior to his tenure at IIT Ropar, Dr. Sarkar was an Associate Researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he contributed significantly to various advanced research initiatives in the area of sustainability.

Dr. Sarkar earned his Ph.D. in Design Creativity from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, where he also completed his Master of Design in Product Design and Engineering. His early career included a pivotal role at Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) in the Research and Development division, where he honed his expertise in practical engineering applications.

His research interests encompass product design, sustainability, creativity, and design research. Dr. Sarkar is dedicated to developing innovative methods and tools that empower designers and companies to create novel, functional, and sustainable products. He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and conference papers, contributing to the global discourse on design and engineering.

At IIT Ropar, he leads the Design Research Laboratory and the Design Studio Laboratory, focusing on ecodesign, biomimicry, engineering aesthetics, sustainable machining, and design creativity. Recently, he has expanded his research efforts to develop products tailored for rural applications, addressing critical needs in underserved communities.

Dr. Sarkar is an editorial board member of the Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology (Emerald) and actively reviews for numerous journals and conferences, further enhancing the quality of academic scholarship in his field. He is also an associate editor of the Smart and Sustainable Manufacturing Systems Journal (ASTM). He has secured over 115 crores INR (about 13 Million USD) in joint funding from various external agencies, underscoring his commitment to advancing research and innovation.

In recognition of his contributions to the engineering profession, Dr. Sarkar is a fellow of the Institute of Engineers, India. His dedication to education and research continues to inspire both students and colleagues at IIT Ropar and beyond.

Important Links: 

Official page

Laboratory links:  Design Research Laboratory and Design Studio Laboratory 

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