During the 16th annual Open House event on Sunday, students from the Centre for Innovation (CFI) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras presented a variety of technologies they had developed to the public.
The goal, according to a news statement from the institution, was to show investors, industry experts, and alumni the innovative work that IIT Madras students have been doing.
According to the press release, more than one thousand students displayed 76 inventions, which included a solar-powered race vehicle, a UAV for delivering blood and medical supplies, a metal 3D printer driven by ultrasonic sound, and a wearable device that allows users to move paralyzed fingers
The director of IIT Madras, Prof. V. Kamakoti, praised the CFI students for creating cutting-edge innovations and referred to the CFI as one of the school’s liveliest organizations.
He predicted that CFI would change the game and specify what kind of education India’s future generations need. Professor Kamakoti emphasized that as India advances toward its goal of being a technological superpower by 2047, more innovations are needed.
Prof. Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi, Dean of Students at IIT Madras, commended the students’ efforts and stated, “CFI is a beacon of innovation and creativity.” It gives students confidence, supports them in realizing their entrepreneurial potential, and helps them turn their ideas into profitable endeavors.
Similarly, the CFI and Nirmaan Pre-Incubator are essential in helping students develop their innovative and entrepreneurial skills, according to Prof. Prabhu Rajagopal, Advisor (Innovation and Entrepreneurship) at IIT Madras.
As the guest of honor during the function, Ashwani Muppasani, Chief Operating Officer (India & Asia Pacific) of Stellantis, said how excited the company is to be a part of the CFI Open House 2024, which is being hosted by IIT Madras.
He said that in addition to being state-of-the-art, the student-designed technologies were also workable for real-world application.
Madhavnambi RV, a third-year student majoring in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering at IIT Madras, and the Project Lead of the iBOT Club at CFI-IIT Madras, mentioned that the Open House provided him with the opportunity to engage with professionals from diverse fields. He emphasized that their input played a crucial role in shaping a comprehensive strategy for aligning their innovations with various sectors and expanding their vessel for deepwater exploration.
Features of the CFI
As stated in the press release, the Centre for Innovation hosts 14 clubs and seven competition teams. Students are provided with resources, including funding and access to facilities such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and electronics workstations. Notably, CFI has been the source of 100 patents and the birthplace of numerous student-led start-ups.
The Institute Open House
On March 2 and 3, 2024, the Institute Open House 2024 took place, allowing the general public to see its cutting-edge labs.
The Institute Open House 2024 is a part of the ‘Anaivarukkum IITM’ (IITM for all) initiatives, which involve researchers from over 100 laboratories presenting ongoing research to the public.
The ‘IITM for All’ exhibition featured various labs, including Robotics, Biomedical Engineering, Rockets and Missiles, Ballistic and High-Speed Flow, 360-degree Full Bridge Ship Simulator, Electric Vehicle Fun Event, Cardiovascular Genetics, Lab-Grown Diamonds, CFI Open House, 3D printing facilities, and more.
Highlighted projects from the CFI Open House 2024 included an assistive device aiding mobility for visually challenged individuals, a reusable sounding rocket, a wearable tool for those with paralyzed fingers, and a solar-powered race car.
Source : HindustanTimes
