Team Lead

Prof. Prabir Sarkar, PhD

Prof. Prabir Sarkar is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Ropar and previously worked as an Associate Researcher at NIST, USA. He holds a Ph.D. in Design Creativity and an M.Des. in Product Design and Engineering from IISc Bangalore, and has prior R&D experience at BEML. His research focuses on product design, sustainability, design creativity, biomimicry, engineering aesthetics, sustainable machining, and rural product development. He has authored 80+ peer-reviewed publications, secured over ₹100 crore in external research funding, and founded the Institute’s Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Cell. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India), serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, and actively contributes as a reviewer for leading journals and conferences.

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Postdoctral Fellow

Dr. Tarlochan Singh

Research Area: Non-traditional Machining, Microfabrication & Micromachining, Product Design and Development

Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar

Email: tarlochan.singh@ihub-awadh.in

Dr. Tarlochan Singh is an active researcher in advanced manufacturing engineering who serves as a Senior Project Associate at the Technology Innovation Hub (AWaDH) within the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT Ropar). He earned his Ph.D. in Advanced Manufacturing from the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, where his research primarily focused on enhancing Electrochemical Discharge Machining (ECDM) for precision machining and microfabrication applications. His academic and research journey has also included postdoctoral research at IIT Bombay and international research engagement with Keio University, Japan. His highly recognized contributions to mechanical precision have earned him over 1,300 citations on Google Scholar. His core research specializes in non-traditional machining, where he designs specialized alternatives to classic cutting tools for complex materials, alongside advanced workflows in microfabrication, high-precision surface finishing, and functional product design aimed at transforming laboratory innovations into scalable industrial applications. .

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Research Scholars

Kamalpreet Sandhu

Research Area: Entrepreneurial Thinking for Engineering Design Educators

Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar

Email: kamalpreet.21mez0011@iitrpr.ac.in

His research focuses on entrepreneurial thinking in engineering and design education. He explores how engineers can move beyond technical problem-solving to identify opportunities, navigate uncertainty, leverage resources creatively, and create value. His work examines the relationship between entrepreneurial thinking and design, creative, critical, and analytical thinking, and develops competencies and classroom support that can be embedded in engineering design curricula. The work is partially supported by Aarhus University Research Foundation under the grant number. AUFF-E-2022-7-12.

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Sandeep Kumar

Research Area: Supply Chain Management and Machine Learning (ML)

Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar

Email: sandeep.22mez0005@iitrpr.ac.in

Working in sustainable agricultural supply chains and machine learning applications in agriculture. His recent research focuses on developing machine learning–based crop management systems tailored to Indian climatic conditions, an area in which he has received recognition, including the Best Paper Presenter Award at an international conference. He continues to work at the intersection of engineering, sustainability, and applied machine learning to create practical solutions for real-world problems.

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Akhil Sharma

Research Area: Product design in Industry 4.0

Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar

Email: akhil.22mez0031@iitrpr.ac.in

Working in the area of product design within the context of Industry 4.0. His work focuses on understanding how emerging digital technologies transform product development processes, especially within small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The research domain includes the exploration of the adoption challenges, strategic implementation, and opportunities of smart product design in SMEs. The aim of the research is to support industries in advancing toward digitally driven and innovation-centered design practices.

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Subha Nath

Research Area: Hybrid TPMS Structure Development by Additive Manufacturing

Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Dr. Samir Chandara Roy

Email: subha.21mez0017@iitrpr.ac.in

Working in the domain of hybrid TPMS structural development by using additive manufacturing along with integrating different surface geometries within a single design. This approach enables the creation of lightweight structures with improved strength and energy-absorption capability. The resulting hybrid architecture offers enhanced mechanical and overall structural performance.

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Saikat Biswas

Research Area: Design and Development of Bio-inspired Origami-based Smart Structure

Supervisor: Prof. Prabir Sarkar & Dr. Samir Chandra Roy

Email: saikat.23mez0016@iitrpr.ac.in

Working for the development of a cost-effective origami-inspired smart structure. His research focuses on integrating actuation and origami-based mechanisms to create adaptive structures capable of changing their configuration and mechanical response in response to external conditions.

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M.Tech Scholars

Arun Kumar

Research Area: Development of a Decision-Making Framework for Personalized Assistive Product Design

Supervisor: Prof. Prabir Sarkar

Email: 2025mem1021@iitrpr.ac.in

Working on a decision-making framework for personalized assistive product design using additive manufacturing techniques , as part of the M.Tech program in Manufacturing Engineering .

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Aditya Motla

Research Area: Concentrated Solar Energy for Sustainable Manufacturing Applications

Supervisor: Prof. Prabir Sarkar and Prof. Harpreet Singh

Email: 2025mem1019@iitrpr.ac.in

Exploring how concentrated solar energy can be harnessed beyond conventional power generation, with a focus on driving novel manufacturing processes sustainably. The work spans the design, fabrication, and system-level integration of solar concentration setups aimed at reducing dependence on conventional energy sources in manufacturing operations. By channeling concentrated solar thermal and radiative energy into process-driven applications, the research aims to contribute toward cleaner, energy-efficient manufacturing pathways under the broader umbrella of sustainable manufacturing..

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Alumni (Post-doctoral)

1. Dr. Rachit Kumar Sharma
Research Area: Supply Chain Management
Funding Agency: IIT Ropar

2. Dr. Hemant Nautiyal
Research Area: Product Design and Agricultural Automation
Funding Agency: AWaDH

Alumni (Doctoral)

2024

1. Dr. Alok Bihari Singh
Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar, Prof. Govind Sharan Dangayach and Dr. Makkhan Lal Meena
Ph.D. Title: Assessment of Sustainability Practices in Hospitality Sector: A Select Study of Indian Hotel Industry
Defended: 6 September 2024 | Degree Awarded
Current Position: Assistant Professor, GLA University

2023

1. Dr. Jitender
Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar
Ph.D. Title: Understanding and Supporting Designers to Improve the Engineering Aesthetics of a Product
Defended: 20 December 2023 | Degree Awarded
Current Position: Postdoctoral Researcher, IIT Delhi

2. Dr. Sunil Sharma
Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar
Ph.D. Title: Developing Bioinspired Design Approaches to Support Packaging
Defended: 21 December 2023 | Degree Awarded
Current Position: Associate Professor and Head of Department, Department of Evaluation-Regular, Division of Examination, Lovely Professional University

2022

1. Dr. Prashant Kumar Singh
Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar
Ph.D. Title: Understanding and Developing Eco-Design Support for Environmentally Conscious Product Development
Defended: 2 August 2022 | Degree Awarded
Current Position: Faculty and Associate Dean, Invertis University, Uttar Pradesh

2021

1. Dr. Rachit Kumar Sharma
Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Prof. Harpreet Singh
Ph.D. Title: Assessing and Improving Sustainability in Supply Networks of Manufacturing Organizations
Funding: DST (India)–EPSRC (UK) funded project on Engineering Driven Sustainable Supply Network Design
Submitted: 8 December 2020 | Defended: 29 June 2021 | Degree Awarded
Current Position: Employed with an international sustainability assessment firm

2020

1. Dr. Umesh Chaturvedi
Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar, Prof. G. S. Dangayach and Dr. Monica Sharma
Ph.D. Title: Sustainability in Indian Pharmaceutical Companies
Programme: External Registration Programme, MNIT Jaipur
Submitted: 15 July 2019 | Defended: 7 February 2020 | Degree Awarded
Current Position: Assistant Professor, GLA University, Mathura

2. Dr. Bijendra Kumar
Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar
Ph.D. Title: Assessing and Improving Sustainability of Products During Conceptual Design
Submitted: 26 June 2019 | Defended: 14 May 2020 | Degree Awarded
Current Position: Track Design Engineer, Japan International Consultants for Transportation Co. Ltd. (JIC)

2018

1. Dr. Sagar Dhage
Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Dr. Anshu Dhar Jayal
Ph.D. Title: Investigation of Surface Textured Cutting Tools for Machining of Medium Carbon Steel
Submitted: November 2017 | Defended: November 2018 | Degree Awarded
Current Position: Associate Professor and Assistant Director (Corporate), JSPM Narhe Technical Campus, Pune

2016

1. Dr. Gyanendra Singh Goindi
Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Dr. Anshu Dhar Jayal
Ph.D. Title: Investigation of Ionic Liquids as Metalworking Fluids in Minimum Quantity Lubrication Machining
Defended: 8 November 2016 | Degree Awarded
Current Position: Professor and Dean, Department of Mechanical Sciences, Chandigarh University, Mohali

Alumni (Masters)

2026

Sachin Siyal | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Understanding and Supporting Product Aesthetics in Jewelry Design

2025

Amos Paul | Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Dr. Pal (Director, CoE FDDI, GoI and Scientist-G, DIPAS, DRDO) | Title: Development of Vibrating Shoes to Reduce Neuropathic Pain
Sanket Kumar | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: AI-Powered Teaching and Learning Recommendation System for Engineers: Empowering Educators with AI-Enhanced Teaching
Pankaj Saini | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Development of a GUI-Based Ideation Tool for Bio-Inspired Shock Protection Systems

2024

Parama Chirang | Supervisors: Dr. Samir Chandra Roy and Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Topology Optimization of 3D Structures Using the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization Method
Ankit Verma | Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Dr. Ekta Singla | Title: Design and Implementation of an Automated Monitoring System in Vertical Farming
Yagesh Kumar | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Biomimicry: Nature-Inspired Innovations
Loga Vignesh | Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Dr. Pal (Director, CoE FDDI, Government of India) | Title: A Fusion of Machine Learning and IoT for Enhanced Safety and Fall Detection

2023

Rishav Pachoriya | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Development of Support to Capture Design Intent in Each Phase of Product Design

2021

Suraj Goala | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Design-Assist Tool: Deciding the Efficacy of Additive Manufacturing Processes and Assisting Product Designers Using DfAM
Suraj Gururani | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Analysis of Design Fixation and Its Mitigation with the Help of Bio-Inspired Design
Abhishek Chauhan | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Design Aesthetics of an Electric Two-Wheeler

2019

Sai Teja Pothuri | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Development of an Automation Module for Microgreen Roofing

2018

Sarang E. Tayade | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Understanding the Relationship Between Stock and Performance of Companies
Rohit Bamne | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Study of Driving Behaviour on the Basis of Distractions

2016

Jitender | Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Prof. Ghulam Ashraf Ul Harmain, NIT Srinagar | Title: Development of a Method for Benchmarking Sustainable Products

Alumni (Undergraduate )

2025

Ayush Singh, Dinesh Kumar Swami, Pratima and Yash Rai | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Fibre-Boards and Cutlery from Stubble and Rice Husk Using Natural and Synthetic Adhesives

2023

Pratham Singh, Jay Surya and Thenlay Norboo | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Development of Stubble Bricks
Tushar Sharma, Atinderpal Singh and Jatin Sharma | Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Dr. Neeraj Goel | Title: Design of a Fruit Sorter

2022

Prince Kumar and Sanjay Kumar Meena | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Automation in Vertical Farming
Hritik Chouhan, Aavesh Saini, Anshuman Pandey and Chetan Kumar | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Website Development for Agriculture Products
Abhishek Ashish and Divyanshu Garg | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Design for Agriculture 4.0: Paradigm, Analysis and Selection of Techniques for India
Aman Goyal and Aman Saraf | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Automation in Green Roof
Gollapalli Umesh Siddhardha, Hari Alekh Panjwani and Pachipala Hemanth | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Designing Heat Sink
Rohan, Prashik Nitnaware and Rahul Meena | Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Dr. Samir Chandra Roy | Title: Repair and Punch

2021

Chetan Kumar, Aavesh Saini, Anshuman Pandey and Hritik Chouhan | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Website Development for Agriculture Products
Sanjay Kumar Meena and Prince Kumar | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Automation in Vertical Farming

2020

Sonu | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Development of a Multiphonics System

2015

Asish Dhingan, P. Mukesh, Ravi Mohan Meena and Alok Mishra | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Expert Review Website
Navneet Singh, Naveen Kumar, Honey Singla and Naman Chhabra | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Real Estate Website Development
Siddharth L. | Supervisor: Dr. Prabir Sarkar | Title: Prediction of the Effect of Design Changes on Company’s Performance

2014

Javed Khan and Nishant Kumar | Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Prof. Harpreet Singh | Title: Seed Oil Extractor

2013

Ajay Kumar Verma and Pareep Singhroha | Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Prof. Harpreet Singh | Title: Handy Machine to Extract Oil from Mustard Seeds
Ankush Kumar and Lal Singh | Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Prof. Navin Kumar | Title: Development of Particle Board Using Rice/Wheat Straw

2012

Parteek Singla, Prashant Yadav, Praveen Kumar Sah and Raj Narayan Saha | Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Dr. Anshu Dhar Jayal | Title: Development of a Software Tool for Sustainability Evaluation in Product Design
Raj Narayan Saha and Prashant Yadav | Supervisors: Dr. Prabir Sarkar and Dr. Anshu Dhar Jayal | Title: Regenerative Braking System for Human-Powered Vehicles

Interns

Deepraj Nandi
B.Tech., National Institute of Technology Durgapur, West Bengal
Work Done: On Development of Shoes to Reduce Neuropathic Pain
Aastha Aggarwal
B.Des., Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar, Punjab
Work Done: Understanding Aesthetics in Product Design of Semiotics and Semantics
Manpreet Saini
B.Tech., National Institute of Technology Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh
Work Done: Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Analysis of Existing Packaging for Perishable Fruits
Mohit Patel
B.Tech., Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Work Done: Simulation and Analysis of Smart Structures Inspired by Origami Using SolidWorks, ANSYS, and MATLAB
Vernika Khatri
B.E., Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab
Work Done: Development of a Web-based Self-Assessment System for Industry 4.0/5.0 Readiness Assessment in SMEs
Kingshuk Chakraborty
B.Tech., Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Sangrur, Punjab
Work Done: Lattice Structure Topological Optimization Using Level Set Method
Harshvardhan Pangotra
B.Tech., Government College of Engineering and Technology, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir
Work Done: Design and Development of a Quadrupedal Robot and IoT-Based Automatic Irrigation System

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