Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Bombay

No. Faculty Name

TAP and FA Ph.D Topics for Autumn 2014

Project Details: PhD Positions for May 2014

1 Rochi s h
Tha oka r

Numerical simulation of charged electrosprays for nanoparticle synthesis: El ectrohydrodyna mi c a tomi za ti on ha s

emerged a s a powerful tool to produce na no-s i zed a eros ol s whi ch a re us ed i n a ppl i ca ti ons s uch a s drug
del i very, a eros ol genera ti on for funda menta l s tudi es , na nopa rti cl e s ynthes i s , etc. The qua nti ta ti ve
founda ti on of EHD s ys tems i s s ti l l l a rgel y ba s ed on empi ri ca l s ca l i ng l a ws a nd there i s cons i dera bl e ga p i n
provi di ng predi cti ve model s for the pa rti cl e s i ze a nd cha rge di s tri buti on cra ra cteri s i tcs . More s peci fi ca l l y,
the cha l l enge i s to unders ta nd the mecha ni s m of forma ti on of na no-s i zed pa rti cl es from mi cron s i zed l i qui d
dropl ets . The project a i ms a s theoreti ca l es ti ma ti on (us i ng a na l yti ca l theory a nd i n-hous e BEM s i mul a ti ons
a s wel l a s BEM ba s ed commerci a l s oftwa res s uch a s the Integra ted Engi neeri ng Softwa re) of drop s i ze a fter
s i ngl e a nd mul ti pl e Ra yl ei gh fi s s i on of a cha rged drop a nd mecha ni s ms to predi ct na no-s i zed dropl ets
produced i n el ectros pra y proces s es a s wel l a s predi ct dropl et tra jectori es i n a El ectro-s pra y cha mber. Who
should apply: Phys i cs , Mecha ni ca l or Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng, wi th i ncl i na ti on towa rds numeri ca l s i mul a ti ons of
fl ui ds a nd el ectros ta ti cs . The ca ndi da te i s expected to be vers a ti l e i n numeri ca l methods a nd fl ui d
dyna mi cs . (1 position, TAP/FA)

2 Rochi s h
Tha oka r

Experimental investigation of electrospray systems: El ectrohydrodyna mi c a tomi za ti on ha s emerged a s a powerful

tool to produce na no-s i zed a eros ol s whi ch a re us ed i n a ppl i ca ti ons s uch a s drug del i very, a eros ol
genera ti on for funda menta l s tudi es , na nopa rti cl e s ynthes i s , etc. One of the cha l l enges i n the proces s i s to
unders ta nd the brea kup of a s i ngl e drop, a nd i ts dependence on s ys tem pa ra meters . The project woul d
i nvol ve fa bri ca ti ng a n experi menta l s etup for i nves ti ga ti on of Ra yl ei gh i ns ta bi l i ty of a s i ngl e cha rged drop,
a nd i ts dependence on properti es s uch a s conducti vi ty of the drop, humi di ty a nd non-Newtoni a n a nd
Vi s coel a s ti c cha ra cter of the drop pha s e. Speci fi ca l l y, the s etup wi l l i nvol ve des i gni ng a nd fa bri ca ti ng
qua drupol e fi el d el ectrodes for s ta bi l i zi ng the drops , pa rti cl e i njecti on s ys tem etc. Who should apply: Phys i cs ,
Mecha ni ca l or Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng, wi th i ncl i na ti on towa rds numeri ca l s i mul a ti ons of fl ui ds a nd
el ectros ta ti cs . (1 position, TAP/FA)

3 Rochi s h
Tha oka r a nd
Sa meer
Ja dha v
(cogui de)

Electroporation of liposomes decorated with nanoparticles and membrane modulating molecules for drug delivery:
El ectropora ti on ha s emerged a s a very effecti ve wa y of gene a nd drug del i very. One of the cha l l enges i n
el ectropora ti on i s to reduce the a ppl i ed vol ta ge (currentl y few kV DC pul s es ). Another i mporta nt
technol ogi ca l i s s ue i s to ha ve penetra ti on of el ectri c fi el d i ns i de a cel l /ves i cl e. Thi s experi menta l project
a i ms a t unders ta ndi ng the i ntera cti on of el ectri c fi el d wi th l i pi d bi l a yers decora ted wi th hi gh di el ectri c
cons ta nt na nopa rti cl es a nd membra ne modul a ti ng mol ecul es . The i dea i s to i ncrea s e the effecti venes s of
el ectropora ti on by externa l l y i nduci ng a n i ncrea s e i n the effecti ve el ectri c permi tti vi ty of the bi l a yer. The
project woul d i nvol ve vi deo a nd fl uores cence mi cros copy of l i pos omes , decora ted wi th na nopa rti cl es a nd
membra ne modul a ti ng mol ecul es s ubjected to va ri ous ki nds of el ectri c s i gna l s . Who should apply: Students
wi th Bi o-Technol ogy ba ckground wi th fel l ows hi ps , s houl d prefera bl y ha ve experi menta l s ki l l s i n mi cros copy,
l i pi ds , membra nes (1 position, FA only)

4 Rochi s h
Tha oka r a nd
Sa meer
Ja dha v
(cogui de)

Electrofusion of liposomes for drug delivery and nanoparticle synthesis: Li pos omes ba s ed drug del i very, es peci a l l y
for ca ncer trea tment ha s ga i ned s i gni fi ca nce i n recent ti mes due to thei r bi o-compa ti bi l i ty a nd control l ed
rel ea s e. A control l ed wa y of del i very i s through a ppl i ca ti on of el ectri c fi el d to i nduce el ectrofus i on of the
l i pos omes wi th cel l membra ne. Another a rea where el ectrofus i on i s empl oyed i s the s ynthes i s of ni che
chemi ca l s a nd bi o-compa ti bl e na nopa rti cl es . It i s known tha t s ynthes i s i n confi ned envi ronment hel ps i n
reduci ng the vol ume ha ndl ed, conta mi na ti on etc. Thi s experi menta l project a i ms a t unders ta ndi ng the
fa ctors tha t control the el ectrofus i on of l i pos omes wi th cel l s or GUVs , wi th s peci fi c a ttenti on to the drug
del i very a s pects . It woul d a l s o a i m a t control l ed s ynthes i s of bi ocompa ti bl e na nopa rti cl es us i ng
el ectrofus i on. The project woul d i nvol ve vi deo a nd fl uores cence mi cros copy of l i pos omes a nd mi crofl ui di cs
Who should apply: Students wi th Bi o-Technol ogy ba ckground wi th fel l ows hi ps , s houl d prefera bl y ha ve
experi menta l s ki l l s i n mi cros copy, l i pi ds , membra nes (1 position, FA only)

5 Supreet Sa i ni Community decisions in bacteria: Thi s project dea l s wi th a na l ys i s of pa thwa ys whi ch ena bl e the s i ngl e-cel l
orga ni s ms (ba cteri a ) to communi ca te wi th ea ch other a nd ta ke communi ty deci s i ons . Thi s proces s i s ca l l ed
Quorum s ens i ng, a nd i s di cta ted by a regul a tory networks i ns i de the cel l . In a ddi ti on, ma ny ba cteri a l s peci es
ha ve more tha n one s ys tem for quorum s ens i ng whi ch ena bl es them to (a ) i ntegra te mul ti pl e s i gna l s
combi na tori a l l y, (b) keep tra ck of ri va l s peci e popul a ti on, a nd (c) ga uge l oca l a nd di s ta l popul a ti on
es ti ma tes . Devel opment of a n a na l yti ca l a nd computa ti ona l fra mework to unders ta nd how thes e
i nforma ti on i s proces s ed i s the focus of thi s res ea rch. The work wi l l i nvol ve a na l ys i s a nd s i mul a ti ons i n
Ma tl a b. Thi s work i s i n col l a bora ti on wi th Dr. Sa ndeep Kri s hna a t NCBS, Ba nga l ore
(http://www.ncbs .res .i n/s a ndeep). Relevant background: Cours es i n Di fferenti a l Equa ti ons , Li nea r Al gebra ,
Introductory Proba bi l i ty & Sta ti s ti cs , a nd a s trong i nteres t i n bi ol ogy [Ba chel ors /Ma s ters i n Ma thema ti cs ,
Phys i cs , Bi otechnol ogy, Bi oi nforma ti cs , Bi ochemi ca l Engi neeri ng, Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng, a nd other rel a ted
fi el ds .] (1 position, TAP/FA)
6 Supreet Sa i ni Optimality of the Genetic Code: The geneti c code ca n be thought of a s a n a l l oca ti on probl em where you ha ve to
a l l oca te 64 codons a mong 21 boxes (one box for ea ch a mi no a ci d, a nd a nother for tra ns l a ti on s top s i tes )
ma ki ng s ure tha t ea ch box gets a t l ea s t one codon. Wi th more tha n 1080 wa ys to s ol ve thi s counti ng probl em,

why i s i t tha t na ture ha s chos en the s ta nda rd geneti c code for thi s purpos e? Thi s project a i ms to expl ore the
opti ma l i ty, i f a ny, of the s ta nda rd geneti c code compa red to other pos s i bl e codes . The work wi l l i nvol ve
a na l ys i s a nd s i mul a ti ons i n Perl . Relevant background: Cours es i n Di fferenti a l Equa ti ons , Li nea r Al gebra ,
Introductory Proba bi l i ty & Sta ti s ti cs , a nd a s trong i nteres t i n bi ol ogy [Ba chel ors /Ma s ters i n Ma thema ti cs ,
Phys i cs , Bi otechnol ogy, Bi oi nforma ti cs , Bi ochemi ca l Engi neeri ng, Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng, a nd other rel a ted
fi el ds .] (1 position, TAP/FA)
7 K. V.
Venka tes h

Connecting genetic network response to metabolic network to characterize phenotypic response: The project dea l s
wi th cha ra cteri zi ng the geneti c network of E. coli for growth on va ri ous s ubs tra tes a nd l i nks the s tea dy s ta te
res pons e to the meta bol i c network to qua nti fy the phenotypi c res pons e. The project dea l s wi th experi ments
a nd theoreti ca l a na l ys i s of the s ys tem l evel beha vi or of growth of E. col i on va ri ous s ubs tra tes both under
a erobi c a nd a na erobi c condi ti ons . The project wi l l a l s o dea l wi th cha ra cteri zi ng meta bol i s m of E. coli under
nutri ti ona l s hi fts a nd under cha ngi ng envi ronmenta l condi ti ons s uch a s tempera ture a nd pH. The project
i nvol ves both wet l a b a nd model i ng geneti c a nd meta bol i c networks . The i s s ue of opti ma l phenotypi c s hi ft
under di fferent condi ti ons wi l l be cha ra cteri zed. Who should apply: Students wi th Bi otechnol ogy ba ckground
a nd chemi ca l engi neeri ng s tudents wi th i nteres t i n Bi ochemi ca l engi neeri ng a re bes t s ui ted. (1 position, FA
only)

8 K. V.
Venka tes h

Analyzing whole body metabolism in Humans for characterizing disease states: Whol e body meta bol i s m i n va ri ous
ti s s ues i s ti ghtl y regul a ted through s evera l s i gna l i ng networks . The project dea l s wi th a na l yzi ng the
i nterconnecti ons between the s i gna l i ng pa thwa y a nd the meta bol i s m. Structura l a nd pa ra metri c
perturba ti ons for va ri ous l i fes tyl e condi ti ons s uch a s di et, exerci s e, i nfecti on wi l l be s tudi es to l i nk the
ca us e a nd effect for va ri ous l i fes tyl e rel a ted di s ea s es . It i s a theoreti ca l project. Who should apply: Students
wi th model i ng experi ence a re wel l s ui ted, chemi ca l engi neeri ng ba ckground wi th i nteres t i n Bi ol ogy a nd
Bi otechnol ogy s tudents a re s ui ted. (1 position, FA only)

9 Sa ntos h
Noronha

Production of chiral drugs in modified microbial systems: The objecti ve of thi s project i s to overproduce a key
chi ra l pha rma i ntermedi a te, currentl y extra cted from pl a nts . The s tra tegi es we propos e to us e i ncl ude
tra ns ferri ng pa thwa ys to mi crobi a l s ys tems from pl a nts a nd other mi crobi a l s ys tems , ma ni pul a ti on of
pa thwa y fl uxes i n thes e s ys tems , a nd engi neeri ng rel eva nt enzymes to ha ve i mproved ca ta l yti c a cti vi ti es .
Thi s i s a col l a bora ti ve project between IITB a nd a regi ona l ICMR l a b. Who should apply: Ca ndi da tes wi th M.Sc.,
or M.Tech Bi ochemi s try or Bi otechnol ogy or equi va l ent. Project-rel a ted experi ence wi th bi ochemi s try,
mi crobi ol ogy a nd mol ecul a r bi ol ogy techni ques woul d be a n a dva nta ge. Chemi ca l engi neeri ng ba ckground
ca ndi da tes wi th project experi ence rel a ted to mi crobi a l bi otechnol ogy wi l l a l s o be cons i dered. (1 position, FA
only)

10 Sa ntos h
Noronha

Real-time surgical evaluation of tumors using Raman spectroscopy. Bra i n tumors a ccount for 85% to 90% of a l l
pri ma ry centra l nervous s ys tem (CNS) tumors . Bra i n tumors ma y be pri ma ry or s econda ry tumors . The pri ma ry
tumors a re na med ba s ed on the cel l type from whi ch they ori gi na te - a s trocytoma a ri s i ng from gl i a l cel l s ,
meni ngi oma from meni nges a nd ol i godendrogl i oma a ri s i ng from protecti ve coveri ng of the bra i n a nd a re
col l ecti vel y referred to a s gl i oma s . Gl i oma s repres ent 30% of a l l bra i n tumors a nd 80% of a l l ma l i gna nt
tumors . Thes e tumors a re notori ous l y i nfi l tra ti ve a nd res ul t i n poor prognos i s ; a n i mporta nt rea s on for thi s i s
the i na bi l i ty to a dequa tel y determi ne the pos i ti on a nd extent of s prea d for thes e tumor cel l s a n i mporta nt
determi na nt for outcome of a ra di ca l res ecti on. Vi s ua l cues a re often i na dequa te pri ma ri l y beca us e the
mi cros cope i s una bl e to vi s ua l i ze beyond the expos ed s urfa ce. Deeper i nfi l tra ti ng tumor cel l s ma y not be
evi dent a s the expos ed s urfa ce of the res ecti on ca vi ty ma y a ppea r norma l . To enha nce vi s ua l i za ti on,
va ri ous techni ques of i ntra opera ti ve i ma gi ng a re empl oyed; thes e requi re cos tl y equi pment to i mpl ement.
Arti fa cts i n the regi on of the tumor ca vi ty s i gni fi ca ntl y l i mi t i nterpreta ti on of the i ma ges . Further, thes e
moda l i ti es a re not trul y rea l -ti me but neces s i ta te i nterrupti on of the s urgi ca l procedure for a cqui ri ng
i ma ges . The more recentl y i ntroduced fl uores cence gui ded res ecti on a pproa ch requi res the a dmi ni s tra ti on of
a n externa l a gent (a mi nol evul i ni c a ci d) to i nduce di fferenti a l ti s s ue fl uores cence whi ch ca n then be
vi s ua l i zed. A s urgi ca l mi cros cope needs to be s ui ta bl y modi fi ed for detecti ng fl uores cence. There i s
therefore a need for a ra pi d, objecti ve techni que conduci ve to rea l -ti me a ppl i ca ti on tha t requi res l i ttl e or no
s a mpl e prepa ra ti on. Ra ma n s pectros copy i s s uch a techni que a nd ca n be a da pted for rea l ti me, in vivo
a ppl i ca ti ons . In recent work, the cl a s s i fi ca ti on of norma l a nd ca ncerous bra i n ti s s ues ha s been reported
us i ng Ra ma n mi cros pectros copi c a nd res ona nce Ra ma n s tudi es ; necroti c ti s s ue ha s a l s o been di fferenti a ted
from vi ta l tumors . The a bi l i ty of fi ber-opti c Ra ma n s pectros copy to di s ti ngui s h norma l bra i n s a mpl es from
gl i oma s ha s recentl y been eva l ua ted i n the Indi a n popul a ti on, i n a l i mi ted pi l ot s tudy. Thes e s tudi es ha ve
been ca rri ed out a t the Ta ta Memori a l Center. The propos ed project i s a col l a bora ti ve s tudy wi th TMC where
we further devel op thes e i dea s by bui l di ng i n hous e Ra ma n s pectros copes , tes t thes e on a ni ma l ti s s ues ,
a nd s ubs equentl y devel op rea l ti me s urgi ca l ma rgi n eva l ua ti ons i n a ni ma l model s . Who should apply:
Ca ndi da tes wi th M.Tech. or B.Tech. i n a n engi neeri ng di s ci pl i ne wi th project-rel a ted experi ence wi th
el ectroni cs a nd ha rdwa re (prefera bl y i nvol vi ng opti cs a nd s pectros copy). (1 position, TAP/FA)

11 Sa meer
Ja dha v,
Rochi s h
Tha oka r

Molecular dynamics studies of phospholipid bilayers: Mol ecul a r dyna mi cs ha s evol ved i nto a cri ti ca l tool for drug
di s covery, des i gn a nd s creeni ng. Wi th more tha n s i xty percent mol ecul a r ta rgets for di s ea s es bei ng
a s s oci a ted wi th membra nes , a better unders ta ndi ng of the phos phol i pi d membra ne i ntera cti ons wi th
rel eva nt protei ns a nd thei r l i ga nds i s wa rra nted. The objecti ve of the work i s to ca rry out mol ecul a r dyna mi cs

(cogui de)

s i mul a ti ons us i ng GROMACS to unders ta nd how the bi ol ogi ca l membra ne properti es a re modul a ted by
va ri ous s ma l l mol ecul es i ncl udi ng s i RNA a nd pepti des . The joi nt project i n col l a bora ti on wi th ICT, Mumba i
a nd NIRRH, Mumba i i s funded by Na nomi s s i on, Depa rtment of Sci ence a nd Technol ogy. Who should apply:
Ma s ters or Ba chel ors degree i n Bi otechnol ogy, Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng, Mecha ni ca l Engi neeri ng or Ma s ters
degree i n Phys i cs . Some computer progra mmi ng experi ence i s des i ra bl e. (1 position, TAP/FA)

12 Sa meer
Ja dha v,
Ga nes h
Vi s wa na tha n
(cogui de)

Modeling and simulation of molecular signaling during cell polarization: Di vi s i on, ori enta ti on a nd mi gra ti on of cel l s
requi re thei r pol a ri za ti on. We wi s h to s i mul a te cel l ul a r res pons e to chemi ca l a nd mecha ni ca l s i gna l s by
ki neti c model i ng of the rel eva nt mol ecul a r mecha ni s ms . Of pa rti cul a r i nteres t i s s i gna l
a ttenua ti on/a mpl i fi ca ti on due to i ntera cti ons between va ri ous pa thwa ys i nvol ved i n cel l pol a ri za ti on. The
project wi l l requi re extens i ve codi ng i n C l a ngua ge / MATLAB. Who should apply: Ma s ters or Ba chel ors degree
i n Bi otechnol ogy, Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng, Mecha ni ca l Engi neeri ng or Ma s ters degree i n Phys i cs . Some
computer progra mmi ng experi ence i s des i ra bl e (1 position, TAP/FA)

13 Sa meer
Ja dha v

Development of liposomal systems for targeted delivery and controlled release of siRNA The s i RNA ba s ed
thera peuti c i nterventi ons ha ve genera ted much i nteres ted i n the trea tment of geneti c di s orders . The
objecti ve of the project i s to devel op l i pos ome-ba s ed s i RNA del i very s ys tems a nd tes t thei r effi ca cy i n vi tro
a nd i n vi vo. Thes e s ma l l mol ecul es a re known to a l ter the mecha ni ca l properti es of bi ol ogi ca l membra nes
a s wel l a s modul a te membra ne i ntera cti ons wi th other s urfa ces . We pl a n to us e mi cropi pette a s pi ra ti on
whi ch ha s been us ed to s tudy bi omembra ne properti es s uch a s a rea compres s i bi l i ty modul us , bendi ng
modul us , bi l a yer permea bi l i ty a nd membra ne l ys i s tens i on. The joi nt project i n col l a bora ti on wi th ICT,
Mumba i a nd NIRRH, Mumba i i s funded by Na nomi s s i on, Depa rtment of Sci ence a nd Technol ogy. Who should
apply: Ma s ters or Ba chel ors degree i n Bi otechnol ogy, Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng, or Ma s ters degree i n Pha rma cy
(1 position, TAP/FA)

14 Mukta
Tri pa thy

Miscibility and percolation in polymer - carbon nanotube composites Pol ymer-na nopa rti cl e mi xtures ha ve a wi de
va ri ety of a ppl i ca ti ons i n i ndus try due to thei r i mproved therma l , mecha ni ca l , rheol ogi ca l , el ectri ca l , a nd
ca ta l yti c properti es over pure pol ymer mel ts . They a re us ed to ma ke better s tructura l ma teri a l s , a s wel l a s
for s evera l emergi ng hi gh-end uti l i ti es s uch a s s ol a r cel l s , fuel cel l s , bi os ens ors , a nd ti s s ue engi neeri ng. In
pa rti cul a r, pol ymer-ca rbon na notube compos i tes di s pl a y rema rka bl e i mprovements i n s trength a nd
conducti vi ty wi th onl y a s ma l l a mout of na notube pres ent i n the mi xture. To get thes e property
i mprovements , the ca rbon na notubes ha ve to be both mi s ci bl e i n , a nd percol a ti ng through the pol ymer
ma tri x. However, s ol ubi l i s i ng ca rbon na notubes i n pol ymer ha s been a ma jor cha l l enge. Thi s s tudy wi l l
determi ne the thermodyna mi c mi s ci bi l i ty a nd percol a ti on co-condi ti ons for pol ymer-na notube compos i tes .
Theory a nd mol ecul a r s i mul a ti ons wi l l be us ed for the s tudy. Who should apply: Strong progra mmi ng s ki l l s a re
a key requi rement. In a ddi ti on the ca ndi da te s houl d ha ve the requi s i te ba ckground i n l i nea r a l gebra ,
di fferenti a l equa ti ons , a nd s ta ti s ti cs . An i ntroductory l evel unders ta ndi ng of s ta ti s ti ca l mecha ni cs i s
preferred. Ca ndi da tes wi th Phys i cs / Phys i ca l Chemi s try / Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng ba ckgrounds a re encoura ged
to a ppl y. (1 position, TAP/FA)

15 Mukta
Tri pa thy

Thermodynamic Stability of Pickering Emulsions: Pi ckeri ng emul s i ons a re oi l -i n-wa ter emul s i ons s ta bi l i zed by
col l oi da l pa rti cl es (ra ther tha n s urfa cta nt mol ecul es ) a t the i nterfa ce. The forma ti on of thes e emul s i ons i s
us ua l l y not s ponta neous , i ndi ca ti ng tha t they a re not thermodyna mi ca l l y s ta bl e. They often requi re
mecha ni ca l energy to be a ppl i ed (through s ti rri ng, jetti ng, etc.) to ma ke them tempora l l y s ta bl e. However,
recent experi ments report the s ponta neous forma ti on of Pi ckeri ng emul s i ons (*J. Phys . Chem. B* *114*, 12257
(2010)). It i s cl ea r tha t thermodyna mi c s ta bi l i ty i s ra ther ra re for thes e pa rti cl e-s ta bi l i zed emul s i ons . The
object of our s tudy i s to theoreti ca l l y determi ne the s ta bi l i ty condi ti ons for Pi ckeri ng emul s i ons . Who should
apply: Strong progra mmi ng s ki l l s a re a key requi rement. In a ddi ti on the ca ndi da te s houl d ha ve the requi s i te
ba ckground i n l i nea r a l gebra , di fferenti a l equa ti ons , a nd s ta ti s ti cs . An i ntroductory l evel unders ta ndi ng of
s ta ti s ti ca l mecha ni cs i s preferred. Ca ndi da tes wi th Phys i cs / Phys i ca l Chemi s try / Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng
ba ckgrounds a re encoura ged to a ppl y. (1 position, TAP/FA)

16 Mukta
Tri pa thy

The role of surface roughness in colloidal fluid structure: Col l oi da l pa rti cl e s ys tems a re ubi qui tous i n
ma nufa cturi ng products , bi ol ogi ca l s ys tems , a nd na ture i n genera l . Whi l e mos t s tudi es model col l oi da l
pa rti cl es a s s mooth ha rd s pheres , they do ha ve s urfa ce roughnes s . The a i m of thi s project i s to determi ne
the effect of roughnes s on col l oi da l fl ui d s tructure, a s wel l a s i ts propens i ty to form condens ed pha s es . Who
should apply: Strong progra mmi ng s ki l l s a re a key requi rement. In a ddi ti on the ca ndi da te s houl d ha ve the
requi s i te ba ckground i n l i nea r a l gebra , di fferenti a l equa ti ons , a nd s ta ti s ti cs . An i ntroductory l evel
unders ta ndi ng of s ta ti s ti ca l mecha ni cs i s preferred. Ca ndi da tes wi th Phys i cs / Phys i ca l Chemi s try / Chemi ca l
Engi neeri ng ba ckgrounds a re encoura ged to a ppl y. (1 position, TAP/FA)

17 Mukta
Tri pa thy

Phase behavior of penetrable particles: Cours e-gra i ned model s of ma tter often i nvol ve repres enti ng ma tter a s
l a rger penetra bl e s pheres , ra ther tha n connected ha rd s pheres . Thi s project i nvol ves unders ta ndi ng the
s tructure a nd properti es of thes e penetra bl e s phere s ys tems , a s a functi on of thei r dens i ty, penetra bi l i ty,
a nd s ti ffnes s . Ini ti a l ca l cul a ti ons ha ve revea l ed very i nteres ti ng cl us teri ng beha vi or. The a i m of thi s project
i s to bui l d on a few i ni ti a l ca l cul a ti ons , to ma p-out a compl ete pha s e di a gra m for penetra bl e pa rti cl e
s ys tems . The s tudy wi l l us e s ta ti s ti ca l mecha ni ca l tool s a nd woul d i nvol ve computer progra mmi ng. Who
should apply: Strong progra mmi ng s ki l l s a re a key requi rement. In a ddi ti on the ca ndi da te s houl d ha ve the
requi s i te ba ckground i n l i nea r a l gebra , di fferenti a l equa ti ons , a nd s ta ti s ti cs . An i ntroductory l evel

unders ta ndi ng of s ta ti s ti ca l mecha ni cs i s preferred. Ca ndi da tes wi th Phys i cs / Phys i ca l Chemi s try / Chemi ca l
Engi neeri ng ba ckgrounds a re encoura ged to a ppl y. (1 position, TAP/FA)
18 Abhi ji t
Ma jumder

To study the Combinatorial Effect of Bio-Chemical and Mechanical gradient on Cell Migration and Differentiation: A
micro-fluidic approach: Res ea rch i n recent yea rs ha s es ta bl i s hed tha t both chemi ca l a nd mecha ni ca l s i gna l s
a re cruci a l i n determi ni ng a l mos t every a s pect of cel l fa te: cel l di vi s i on, ma i ntena nce, di fferenti a ti on,
qui es cence a nd di s ea s e. Often, the gra di ent of a s i gna l pl a ys a more cri ti ca l rol e tha n the a bs ol ute
concentra ti on of tha t pa rti cul a r s i gna l . Thi s propos a l a i ms to expl ore the combi na tori a l effect of chemi ca l
a nd mecha ni ca l gra di ent on cel l mi gra ti on a nd di fferenti a ti on by devel opi ng a novel mi cro-fl ui di c ba s ed
devi ce. At pres ent, a va i l a bi l i ty of experi menta l a s s a ys to s tudy s i mul ta neous gra di ents /a ttra cta nts i s poor.
Even to s tudy s i ngl e chemi ca l gra di ent, the choi ce of a devi ce i s l i mi ted a nd ea ch devi ce comes wi th i ts own
cons tra i nts s uch a s a ddi ti ona l s hea r s tres s on cel l s for fl ow-ba s ed devi ces or i ns ta bi l i ty of the gra di ent for
s ta ti c devi ces . In thi s propos a l , I a i m to des i gn a mi cro-fl ui di c devi ce whi ch woul d be a bl e to crea te a
s hea r-free, s ta bl e a nd robus t chemi ca l gra di ent. In a ddi ti on, the devi ce woul d be compa ti bl e wi th a
s ubs tra te of gra di ent s ti ffnes s . The chemi ca l a nd mecha ni ca l gra di ent ca n be a rra nged i n s ynch or a t a ny
other a ngl e to s tudy the effect of geometry. The devi ce wi l l be i ni ti a l l y tes ted wi th cel l l i nes for thei r
s hort-term a nd l ong-term mi gra ti on. After the functi ona l i ty of the devi ce i s es ta bl i s hed, I envi s i on us i ng i t to
s tudy the effect of chemi ca l a nd mecha ni ca l gra di ent on di fferenti a ti on of embryoni c a nd mes enchyma l s tem
cel l s a nd mi gra ti on of ma l i gna nt cel l s to a ddres s ques ti ons rel a ted to regenera ti on a nd meta s ta s i s . In
pa rti cul a r, I woul d l i ke to a s k how mul ti pl e gra di ents i nfl uence pa tterni ng i n a cel l ma s s . Who should apply: 1.
Experi ence of cel l cul ture, s tem cel l preferred. 2. Experi ence of mol ecul a r bi ol ogy techni ques 3. Interes t i n
i nter-di s ci pl i na ry res ea rch a nd dri ve to l ea rn new techni ques . (1 position, TAP/FA)

19 Jyoti Seth

Flow and Rheology of Suspensions of Aggregated Lipids: Li pi ds often s erve a s s tructura nts i n foods , cos meti cs ,
pha rma ceuti cs a nd bi ol ogi ca l ma teri a l s . They form a network of a ggrega ted na no-crys ta l s tha t control s
ma teri a l rheol ogy a nd i ts functi ona l effi ca cy. For exa mpl e, fl ow beha vi or of fa t-ri ch foods under confi ned
s hea r a ffects thei r percei ved qua l i ty a nd ta s te. In thi s project, s us pens i ons of model l i pi ds wi l l be s tudi ed
under va ryi ng compos i ti on a nd growth condi ti ons . Experi ments a re bei ng des i gned wi th the a i m to decoupl e
a ffects of na no-crys ta l growth a nd a ggrega ti on on res ul ta nt mi cros tructure, whi ch wi l l be correl a ted wi th
ma teri a l rheol ogy. Interes ted s tudents a re encoura ged to refer the fol l owi ng pa per. The PI ma y be conta cted
a t jyoti @che.i i tb.a c.i n for a ny cl a ri fi ca ti ons : Ma ra ngoni , A. G., Acevedo, N., Ma l eky, F., Co, E., Peyronel , F.,
Ma zza nti , G., Pi nk, D. (2012). Structure a nd functi ona l i ty of edi bl e fa ts . Soft Matter, 8(5), 12751300. Who
should apply: Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng, Phys i cs , Chemi s try or Ma teri a l Sci ence. The s tudent wi l l ga i n worki ng
knowl edge of a na l yti ca l techni ques for cha ra cteri za ti on of mi cros tructure a nd rheol ogy of s us pens i ons .
Unders ta ndi ng of tra ns port phenomena , col l oi ds i s des i red a l ong wi th good communi ca ti on s ki l l s . (1
position, TAP/FA)

20 Jyoti Seth

Dynamic Simulations of Colloidal Glasses: Dens e s us pens i ons of pa rti cl es a re commonl y pres ent i n cos meti c a nd
pha rma ceuti ca l products , bi ol ogi ca l s ys tems , cera mi cs , etc. Thes e ma teri a l s ha ve i nteres ti ng fl ow properti es
a nd fi nd us e a s rheol ogy modi fi ers , s us pens i on s ta bi l i zers a nd drug del i very a gents . In thi s project,
s i mul a ti ons wi l l be s etup to predi ct fl ow a nd rheol ogi ca l beha vi or of s us pens i ons of s oft pa rti cl es a s a
functi on of the pa rti cl e-pa rti cl e a nd pa rti cl e-s urfa ce i ntera cti ons . Interes ted s tudents ma y rea d further i n
the fol l owi ng pa pers . The PI ma y be conta cted a t jyoti @che.i i tb.a c.i n for cl a ri fi ca ti ons . (1) Seth, J. R.,
Loca tel l i -Cha mpa gne, C., Monti , F., Bonneca ze, R. T., & Cl oi tre, M. (2012). How do s oft pa rti cl e gl a s s es yi el d
a nd fl ow nea r s ol i d s urfa ces ? Soft Matter, 8(1), 140. doi :10.1039/c1s m06074k (2) Seth, J. R., Moha n, L.,
Loca tel l i -Cha mpa gne, C., Cl oi tre, M., & Bonneca ze, R. T. (2011). A mi cromecha ni ca l model to predi ct the fl ow of
s oft pa rti cl e gl a s s es . Nature Materials, 10(11), 83843. doi :10.1038/nma t3119. Who should apply: Chemi ca l
Engi neeri ng, Phys i cs , Ma teri a l Sci ence or Mecha ni ca l Engi neeri ng. The project requi res pri or experi ence wi th
codi ng us i ng l ea s t one of the progra mmi ng l a ngua ges - C, C++, Fortra n, MATLAB. Pa s t experi ence wi th
model i ng, s i mul a ti on or experi menta l experi ence wi th compl ex fl ui ds wi l l be a pl us . The s tudent wi l l get a n
opportuni ty to l ea rn a nd a ppl y s i mul a ti on techni ques s uch a s Mol ecul a r Dyna mi cs a nd Browni a n Dyna mi cs .
(1 position, TAP/FA)

21 Jyoti Seth

Fatty acid-Soap Complexes: Phase Behavior and Rheology: Fa tty Aci ds (R-COOH) form mol ecul a r compl exes wi th
corres pondi ng s oa ps (viz., R-COONa ), whi ch s erve a s key i ngredi ents i n cl ea ni ng products (s oa ps , fa ci a l
cl ea ners , s ha vi ng crea ms ), topi ca l -del i very a gents , etc. Stoi chi ometri c compl exes of fa tty a ci d a nd s oa p res ul t
from hydrogen bonds formed between ca rboxyl a nd ca rbonyl groups of the two mol ecul es . Thes e ma teri a l s
a re a l s o of funda menta l i nteres t a s they exhi bi t thermotropi c pha s e tra ns i ti ons , whi ch a re often
a ccompa ni ed by a brupt cha nge i n bul k beha vi or. For exa mpl e, the ma teri a l ma y s wi tch from beha vi ng l i ke a
free fl owi ng fl ui d to a s ol i d-l i ke ma teri a l due to hea ti ng or cool i ng a cros s a pha s e bounda ry. Thi s project i s
bei ng pl a nned wi th a n i ndus tri a l pa rtner a nd wi l l expl ore funda menta l a s pects of a ci d-s oa p compl exes
when modi fi ed wi th s urfa cta nts . Interes ted s tudents ma y rea d further i n the fol l owi ng pa pers . The PI ma y be
conta cted a t jyoti @che.i i tb.a c.i n for cl a ri fi ca ti ons . (1) Ci s tol a , D. P., Atki ns on, D., Ha mi l ton, J. A., & Sma l l , D. M.,
(1986). Pha s e beha vi or a nd Bi l a yer Properti es of Fa tty Aci ds : Hydra ted 1:1 Aci d-Soa ps , Biochemistry, 25
2804-2812. (2) Pudney, P. D. A., Mutch, K. J., & Zhu, S. (2009). Cha ra cteri s i ng the pha s e beha vi or of s tea ri c a ci d
a nd i ts tri etha nol a mi ne s oa p a nd a ci d-s oa p by i nfra red s pectrs copy. Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 11,
50105018. doi :10.1039/b819582j Who should apply: Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng, Phys i cs , Chemi s try or Ma teri a l
Sci ence. The project i s experi menta l i n na ture a nd a ha nds -on a pproa ch i s des i red. The s tudent wi l l ga i n
worki ng knowl edge of s evera l a na l yti ca l techni ques for cha ra cteri za ti on of mi cros tructure a nd rheol ogi ca l

beha vi or. Unders ta ndi ng of pha s e beha vi or a nd col l oi da l s us pens i ons i s des i red a nd good communi ca ti on
s ki l l s wi l l be a pl us . (1 position, TAP/FA)
22 Jyoti Seth

Multi-scale Simulations for Understanding Rheological Behavior of Lipid Suspensions:

Mul ti -s ca l e s i mul a ti ons ha ve been pl a nned to unders ta nd crys ta l growth a nd a ggrega ti on proces s es
occurri ng duri ng prepa ra ti on of s us pens i ons of l i pi ds . Li pi ds often s erve a s s tructura nts i n foods , cos meti cs ,
pha rma ceuti cs a nd bi ol ogi ca l ma teri a l s . They form a network of a ggrega ted na no-crys ta l s tha t control s
ma teri a l rheol ogy a nd i ts functi ona l effi ca cy. For exa mpl e, fl ow beha vi or of fa t-ri ch foods under confi ned
s hea r a ffects thei r percei ved qua l i ty a nd ta s te. The a i m i s to unders ta nd ki neti cs of na no-crys ta l growth a nd
a ggrega ti on proces s es tha t occur over di fferent l ength a nd ti me s ca l es . It i s therefore cha l l engi ng to combi ne
both contri buti ons a nd predi ct the mi cros tructure of the ma teri a l . Our a i m i s to correl a te the proces s of
prepa ra ti on wi th the mi cros tructure s o tha t ma teri a l rheol ogy ma y be control l ed. Predi cti ons from
s i mul a ti ons wi l l be compa red a nd veri fi ed a ga i ns t experi menta l mea s urements .Interes ted s tudents ma y
rea d further i n the fol l owi ng pa pers . The PI ma y be conta cted a t jyoti @che.i i tb.a c.i n for cl a ri fi ca ti ons . (1)
Anwa r, J., & Za hn, D. (2011). Uncoveri ng mol ecul a r proces s es i n crys ta l nucl ea ti on a nd growth by us i ng
mol ecul a r s i mul a ti on. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 50(9), 19962013. (2) Ma ra ngoni , A. G., Acevedo,
N., Ma l eky, F., Co, E., Peyronel , F., Ma zza nti , G., Pi nk, D. (2012). Structure a nd functi ona l i ty of edi bl e fa ts . Soft
Matter, 8(5), 12751300. Who should apply: Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng, Phys i cs , Chemi s try or Ma teri a l Sci ence. Abi l i ty
to wri te a nd modi fy progra ms i n C, C++ or Fortra n i s a mus t. Pa s t experi ence wi th model i ng a nd s i mul a ti on
a nd experi menta l experi ence wi th compl ex fl ui ds wi l l be a pl us . The s tudent wi l l get the opportuni ty to
devel op a nd contri bute routi nes for techni ques s uch a s Mol ecul a r Dyna mi cs a nd Monte Ca rl o s i mul a ti ons .
Overa l l the s tudent wi l l l ea rn a bout compl ex fl ui ds , pa rti cul a rl y a bout s us pens i ons tha t a re of i nteres t to
ma ny i ndus tri es . (1 position, TAP/FA)

23 Ga nes h
Inter-linked feedback loop dynamics during Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha signaling in mammalian systems: Interl i nked
Vi s wa na tha n feedba ck l oops (IFL) a re ubi qui tous l y found i n ma mma l i a n cytoki ne s i gna l i ng networks a nd a re emergi ng a s
novel s tructures tha t di cta te the cel l ul a r deci s i on ma ki ng proces s . The goa l of thi s project i s to cons truct
s i ngl e-cel l a nd popul a ti on l evel predi cti ve ma thema ti ca l model s of a n IFL tha t i s a cti va ted duri ng TNF a l pha
cytoki ne s i gna l i ng. The model devel oped wi l l be cons tra i ned by the experi menta l da ta genera ted i n-hous e.
Thi s project wi l l i nvol ve us e of bi furca ti on tool s a nd proba bi l i ty theory. Numeri ca l s i mul a ti ons wi l l be
conducted on hi gh-performa nce computi ng fa ci l i ty. Codes wi l l be wri tten i n Ma tl a b a nd/or C. Who should
apply: Ba chel ors /Ma s ters i n Chemi ca l /Bi otechnol ogy/Mecha ni ca l Engi neeri ng or Ma s ters i n Phys i cs . Some
progra mmi ng experi ence preferred. (1 position, FA only)
24 Venka t
Gunda ba l a

Droplet microfluidics for high-throughput studies on C. elegans: Ca enorha bdi ti s el ega ns (C. el ega ns ) i s a nema tode
commonl y us ed a s a model orga ni s mfor mol ecul a r a nd devel opmenta l bi ol ogy s tudi es . Wi th a bout 60% of i ts
genes ha vi ng huma n homol ogs , coupl ed wi th i ts tra ns pa rent body, a nd ea s e of cul turi ng, C. el ega ns i s a n
a ttra cti ve choi ce for bi ol ogi s ts . Dropl et mi crofl ui di cs i s currentl y emergi ng a s a n i dea l tool i n cel l bi ol ogy
(s i ngl e cel l enca ps ul a ti on for cel l -ba s ed s tudi es , etc.), bi o-medi ci ne (mi croenca ps ul a ti on of cel l s onto
pa rti cl es , etc.), a mongs t other fi el ds . In thi s project we wi l l us e dropl et-ba s ed mi crofl ui di cs to s tudy the
beha vi oura l a s pects of C. el ega ns . The project i nvol ves devel opi ng mi crofl ui di c devi ces tha t genera te doubl e
emul s i on dropl ets i nto whi ch worm enca ps ul a ti on ca n be done. The doubl e emul s i on dropl et wi l l be us ed
for chemota xi s s tudi es on the enca ps ul a ted worm. Who should apply: Pa s t experi ence i n experi menta l
res ea rch on cel l /mi croorga ni s m ba s ed s tudi es i s requi red; Keen i nteres t on doi ng experi ments i s a mus t;
engi neeri ng ba ckground or pri or expos ure to the a rea of mi crofl ui di cs woul d be a pl us . (1 position, TAP/FA)

25 Ra tul
Da s gupta

Interfacial ows: Ha ve you ever wondered why a jet of wa ter brea ks up i nto ti ny dropl ets . Do you know how ti ny
drops of ra i n s prea d, a fter hi tti ng our wi ndows . Do a l l dropl ets s prea d i n the s a me wa y? Wha t woul d ha ppen
i f we ma de the dropl ets l a rge, or the s urfa ce very rough? Wha t i f, the dropl ets fel l one a fter the other? Wha t
determi nes the s ha pe of a puddl e of wa ter l yi ng on our oor? Wha t i s tha t i ntri ca te pa ttern of wa ves tha t
a ppea r a round a s tone l yi ng i n a movi ng s trea m? If you enjoy thi nki ng a bout ui d mecha ni cs probl ems , rea d
on! Thi s i s a n opportuni ty to purs ue a PhD on i nterfa ci a l ows (s ee Fi gs . 1(a ) & 1(b) for s ome fun pi ctures .).
We wi l l s tudy i mpi ngement of a tra i n of dropl ets on ri gi d s urfa ces & unders ta nd the compl exi ti es of the
s prea di ng proces s , theoreti ca l l y & computa ti ona l l y. The ca ndi da te wi l l pa rti ci pa te i n code devel opment a nd
us e numeri ca l tool s i n combi na ti on wi th theoreti ca l techni ques . There coul d be a n opportuni ty to a l s o work
on experi ments l a ter.

Who should apply: Ba s i c knowl edge of ui d mecha ni cs a t a n undergra dua te or gra dua te l evel i s neces s a ry. If
you enjoy l ea rni ng computa ti ona l techni ques a nd wri ti ng codes , tha t wi l l be a bi g a dva nta ge. Good a bi l i ti es
i n ma thema ti cs & phys i cs , whi l e not a bs ol utel y neces s a ry, wi l l deni tel y hel p. Mos t i mporta ntl y, you s houl d

enjoy doi ng a nd bei ng i n res ea rch. If i nteres ted, pl ea s e a ppl y. You ca n a l s o wri te to me a t
da s gupta .ra tul @gma i l .com (1 position, TAP/FA)
26 Pa rtha S.
Gos wa mi

Dynamics of inertial suspension in confined geometry: experiments and modeling: The project dea l s wi th the
theoreti ca l a nd experi menta l i nves ti ga ti on of the dyna mi cs of i nerti a l s us pens i on i n mi cro/mi l l i cha nnel s .
In genera l s ma l l s ca l e (l i ke mi crofl ui di c) devi ces opera te a t very l ow fl ow ra tes , whi ch l ea d the common i dea
tha t i n ca s e of fl ow i n mi crocha nnel , fl ui d i nerti a does not pl a y s i gni fi ca nt rol e. But duri ng the moti on i n
confi ned cha nnel the cons ti tuent pa rti cl e of s us pens i on experi ences i nerti a l l i ft force, whi ch i n turn
produces pa rti cl e mi gra ti on. Externa l pa ra meters whi ch control the ma gni tude a nd the di recti on of the l i ft
forces i ncl ude the cha nnel di mens i ons , pa rti cl e di a meter, s ha pe of the pa rti cl es , a nd fl ui d fl ow ra tes . Such
mi gra ti on beha vi or of the pa rti cl e ca n be uti l i zed to devel op fi l ter-l es s s epa ra ti on technol ogy ba s ed on
pa rti cl e s ha pe a nd s i ze. Inves ti ga ti on i n thi s a rea a l s o provi de i ns i ght i n des i gni ng the mi cro-rea ctors whi ch
dea l s wi th pa rti cl e l a den fl ows . Here we pl a n to a ppl y ful l y res ol ved l a tti ce Bol tzma nn method (LBM)
(advanced CFD technique) to numeri ca l l y s i mul a te the dyna mi cs of pa rti cl e a nd fl ui d fl ow beha vi or,
cons i deri ng i nterpa rti cl e i ntera cti ons a s wel l . Furthermore the s tudy wi l l be extended to i nves ti ga te the
mi gra ti on beha vi or of non-s pheri ca l pa rti cl es .
Experi ments wi l l be conducted us i ng i n-hous e-devel oped micro-PIV technique to va l i da te the
theoreti ca l res ul ts a nd to demons tra te the condi ti ons requi red for pa rti cl e s epa ra ti on i n fl ui d-pa rti cl e
s us pens i ons . The res ul ts a nd the i ns i ght ga i ned from the propos ed s tudy woul d hel p i n more s ci enti fi c
des i gn a nd devel opment of fi l ter-l es s s epa ra ti on technol ogy whi ch ca n be a ppl i ed to chemi ca l a nd
bi otechnol ogi ca l proces s es . (Ref: Physical Review Letters(2009), 102(9), 094503).
Who should apply: Ba ckground-Chemi ca l /Mecha ni ca l /Phys i cs ; s houl d ha ve a bi l i ty to wri te progra m i n
C/C++/Fortra n etc. Shoul d be moti va ted enough to ta ke up cha l l enges of experi menta l di ffi cul ti es .
For cl a ri fi ca ti ons wri te me a t psg@che.iitb.ac.in (1 position, TAP/FA)

27 Pa rtha S.
Gos wa mi

Dynamics of Particle Laden Turbulent Suspensions- Direct numerical simulation (DNS): Pa rti cl e l a den turbul ent fl ows
fi nd a ppl i ca ti ons i n ma ny i ndus tri a l proces s es s uch a s energy convers i on, a i r pol l uti on control , pneuma ti c
conveyi ng of s ol i ds , fl ui di zed bed rea ctors etc. In thes e types of fl ows , there a re s trong coupl i ng between the
turbul ent fl uctua ti ons i n the fl ui d pha s e a nd the fl uctua ti ng vel oci ti es of the pa rti cl es . Owi ng to thi s
s i mul ta neous a na l ys i s of both the pha s es gi ve i ns i ght to the model i ng of tra ns port proces s es i n l a rge s ca l e
engi neeri ng s ys tems . Due to the compl exi ty of the phys i cs behi nd dens e pa rti cul a te fl ows , the current
model i ng pa ra di gm ma i nl y depends on empi ri ca l correl a ti ons tha t requi re fi ne-tuni ng wi th the a i d of
experi menta l da ta . As a cons equence, thes e over-s i mpl i fi ed model s l a ck the ca pa bi l i ty of qua nti ta ti ve
predi cti on of the dyna mi ca l beha vi or a nd a l s o requi re frequent experi menta l va l i da ti ons . Such l i mi ta ti ons
a re the ma i n hurdl es i n a dva nced computa ti ona l model i ng of thes e rea ctors .
The goa l of the res ea rch i s to ca rry out di rect numeri ca l s i mul a ti ons (DNS) a nd a l s o to devel op model s ba s ed
on the phys i ca l i ns i ght obta i ned from di rect numeri ca l s i mul a ti ons (DNS). The s peci fi c s teps a re a s fol l ows .
1. Devel opment of a dva nced methods for two wa y coupl ed di rect numeri ca l s i mul a ti on (DNS) of modera tel y
dens e pa rti cl e l a den turbul ent fl ows , ena bl i ng hi ghl y a ccura te
s i mul a ti ons whi ch a re a ppl i ca bl e for
fl ui di zed bed rea ctors a nd numerous energy convers i on devi ces .
2. Inves ti ga ti on of the fl ui d pha s e a nd pa rti cl e pha s e beha vi our us i ng ful l y pa rti cl e res ol ved s i mul a ti ons ,
whi ch i s a ppl i ca bl e when the pa rti cl e s i ze i s l a rger the the s i ze of the s ma l l es t s ca l e of the turbul ence.
3. Devel opi ng the model s ba s ed on the phys i ca l i ns i ght obta i ned from ful l y
res ol ved di rect numeri ca l
s i mul a ti ons . Such a model wi l l a ddres s both the i s s ues of l i ke effect of turbul ence on pa rti cl e dyna mi cs
a nd the turbul ence modul a ti on due to the pres ence of pa rti cl e pha s e. Ref: J. Fl ui d Mech. 687, 1-40 (2011).
Worki ng on thi s project the s tudent wi l l ga i n knowl edge i n a dva nced CFD techni ques .
Who should apply: Ba ckground: Chemi ca l /Mecha ni ca l /Phys i cs ; s houl d ha ve
a bi l i ty to wri te progra m i n
C/C++/Fortra n etc. For cl a ri fi ca ti ons ma i l me a t psg@che.iitb.ac.in. (1 position, TAP/FA)

28 Pa rtha S.
Gos wa mi

Dynamics of particle-laden flows in complex geometries: Experiments (PIV) and Large Eddy Simulations (LES):
Pa rti cl e-l a den turbul ent fl ows fi nd a ppl i ca ti ons i n ma ny i ndus tri a l proces s es l i ke pneuma ti c tra ns port of
powders , coa l combus ti on, fl ui di s ed ba d rea ctors etc. Proper des i gn of s uch equi pments depends on deta i l
unders ta ndi ng of i ntera cti on between pa rti cl e a nd turbul ent fl ui d pha s e. Turbul ence pl a ys i mporta nt rol e i n
both the di s tri buti on a nd de-mi xi ng/s egrega ti on of the pa rti cl es . Dependi ng on the i ntens i ty of the
turbul ence a nd pa rti cl e i nerti a , hi gher pa rti cl e concentra ti on ma y ha ppen nea r the wa l l regi on of the fl ow
geometry whi ch ma y ca us e hi gher ra te of pa rti cl e depos i ti on a t the wa l l . Si mi l a rl y pa rti cl e a l s o pl a ys
i mporta nt rol e on modul a ti on of turbul ence. Therefore the i ntera cti on i s two-wa y. A proper unders ta ndi ng
wi l l l ea d to the a s s es s ment of depos i ti on beha vi or a nd the tra ns port coeffi ci ents i n the a bove menti oned
proces s es . The i ntera cti on i s compl ex i n na ture due to the pres ence of mul ti pl e l ength a nd ti me- s ca l es for
both the pa rti cl e a nd fl ui d pha s e.
In the propos ed project we pl a n to conduct experi ments a nd s i mul a ti ons to predi ct dyna mi cs of both the
pha s es s i mul ta neous l y s ta rti ng from s i mpl e to compl ex geometri es . Si mul a ti on wi l l be performed ba s ed on
fl ui d-pa rti cl e coupl ed model (two wa y coupl i ng) to i nves ti ga te the dyna mi cs of both the pha s es . we pl a n to
coupl e l a rge eddy s i mul a ti on (LES) for fl ui d pha s e wi th di s crete el ement model (DEM) for pa rti cl e pha s e to
unders ta nd the dyna mi cs of turbul ent s us pens i ons wi th hi gher s ol i d l oa di ng. Effect of s ubgri d s ca l e
model i ng on the two pha s e s ta ti s ti cs for di fferent Reynol ds number, pa rti cl e i nerti a , a nd pa rti cl e l oa di ng
wi l l be i nves ti ga ted. Experi ments wi l l be conducted i n a verti ca l fl ow geometri es us i ng pa rti cl e i ma ge
vel oci metry (PIV) to va l i da te the theoreti ca l res ul ts . Ref: J. Fluid Mech. 687, 41-71 (2011). Worki ng on thi s project
the s tudent wi l l ga i n knowl edge i n a dva nced CFD a nd experi menta l techni ques .

Who should apply: Background-Chemical/Mechanical/Physics, Either should have ability to write program in
C/C++/Fortran etc. Or should be motivated enough to take up challenges of experimental difficulties.
For details mail at psg@che.iitb.ac.in (1 position, TAP/FA)
29 Pra mod
Wa ngi ka r

Metabolic Engineering of Cyanobacteria for enhanced biofuel production. Al ga l bi ofuel s provi de a n a ttra cti ve
a l terna ti ve to other forms of bi ofuel s s uch a s thos e deri ved from terres tri a l bi oma s s . Importa ntl y, a l ga e ca n
grow on ba rren l a nd a nd wi th wa s tewa ter or s a l t wa ter a nd therefore, do not compete wi th food or a ni ma l
feed crops . Al ga e, pa rti cul a rl y bl ue-green a l ga e or cya noba cteri a , provi de much hi gher photos ynthes i s
effi ci enci es compa red to pl a nts a nd ha ve the potenti a l to ca pture a l a rger fra cti on of the i nci dent s ol a r
energy. Cya noba cteri a a re a group of photos yntheti c proka ryotes tha t a re credi ted for thei r rol e i n converti ng
the a noxi c envi ronment to the current oxi c envi ronment. Al though cya noba cteri a do not produce l i pi d i n the
form of s tora ge mol ecul es , they ca n be engi neered to produce other more rea di l y us a bl e l i qui d bi ofuel s s uch
a s etha nol a nd buta nol . Whi l e cya noba cteri a l bi ofuel s hol d promi s e, a technol ogi ca l brea kthrough i s
needed for i mprovements i n bi ofuel producti vi ty before thei r commerci a l i za ti on. Our group currentl y ma kes
extens i ve us e of the meta bol omi cs , fl uxomi cs , tra ns cri ptomi cs a nd proteomi cs technol ogi es to ga i n i ns i ghts
a t mol ecul a r l evel , to be a bl e to devel op deta i l ed genome s ca l e model s a nd es ti ma te the model pa ra meters
i n a rel i a bl e ma nner. Efforts a re a l s o on to devel op effecti ve expres s i on s ys tems a nd gene knockout
s tra tegi es to i mpl ement the geneti c modi fi ca ti ons predi cted by the model . We col l a bora te extens i vel y wi th
Rel i a nce Indus tri es Ltd. on thi s project a nd the s tudent wi l l get a n opportuni ty to i ntera ct wi th the
i ndus try.As pa rt of thi s project, the s tudent wi l l ca rry out model dri ven meta bol i c engi neeri ng of a
cya noba cteri a l s tra i n to i mprove fuel producti vi ty l evel s . The s tudent wi l l get a n opportuni ty to cons truct a nd
va l i da te a meta bol i c model a nd es ti ma te the i ntra cel l ul a r rea cti on ra tes . Meta bol i c model va l i da ti on wi l l
i nvol ve a deta i l ed phys i ol ogi ca l cha ra cteri za ti on, meta bol i c profi l es a nd 13C fl ux a na l ys i s . The s tudent wi l l
a l s o get a n opportuni ty to i mpl ement the predi cted geneti c cha nges vi a tool s of mol ecul a r bi ol ogy. Who
should apply: Ba ckground i n bi otechnol ogy or bi ochemi s try wi th experi ence i n mi crobi a l phys i ol ogy a nd
mol ecul a r bi ol ogy techni ques . Abi l i ty to devel op a nd s i mul a te ma thema ti ca l model s wi l l be a n a dva nta ge.
(1 position, TAP/FA)

30 Pra mod
Wa ngi ka r

Engineering ketoreductase enzymes for chiral synthesis: Chi ra l a l cohol s , us ua l l y s econda ry a l cohol s , pl a y a n
i mporta nt rol e a s i ntermedi a tes i n hi gh va l ue products of pha rma ceuti ca l i mporta nce. Among the va ri ous
enzyma ti c routes a va i l a bl e for chi ra l l y s el ecti ve s ynthes i s of s econda ry a l cohol s , tha t i nvol vi ng
oxi doreducta s e ca ta l yzed a s ymmetri c reducti ons i s a pa rti cul a rl y powerful a pproa ch a s i t potenti a l l y a l l ows
100% of the s ta rti ng ma teri a l to be tra ns formed i nto the des i red ena nti omer. In thi s project joi ntl y s pons ored
DBT a nd a n i ndus try pa rtner (Hi Tech Bi os ci ences Ltd., Pune), we ha ve chos en to work on mi crobi a l
oxi doreducta s es . Severa l proof of concept s tudi es ha ve been reported on thi s enzyme a l though the fol l owi ng
cha l l enges rema i n to be a ddres s ed. (i ) Hi gh cos t of commerci a l enzymes , (i i ) Low s ubs tra te s peci fi ci ty a nd
s tereo-s el ecti vi ty of the wi l d-type enzyme, (i i i ) Subs tra te i nhi bi ti on, (i v) Recycl i ng of the enzyme a nd
co-fa ctors . A s ucces s ful commerci a l a ppl i ca ti on therefore wi l l requi re a n enzyme tha t i s hi ghl y a cti ve a nd
s tereos el ecti ve towa rds the s ubs tra te of choi ce, tol era tes hi gh s ubs tra te concentra ti ons , s ta bl e a nd
a mena bl e to recycl i ng a nd i s a fforda bl e. The s tudent wi l l work cl os el y wi th i ndus try pa rtner. The s tudent wi l l
ha ve a n opportuni ty to work on the fol l owi ng objecti ves :1. Improvement of the des i red properti es of
oxi doreducta s e enzymes vi a di rected evol uti on i ncl udi ng techni ques s uch a s error prone PCR, gene s huffl i ng
a nd control l ed ra ndomi za ti on. The s tudent wi l l a l s o a ttempt model ba s ed a nd predi cti ve geneti c
engi neeri ng to i mprove the enzyme properti es . 2. Devel opment of cofa ctor recycl i ng s ys tem wi th forma te
dehydroga na s e a nd by us i ng a membra ne rea ctor. Who should apply: Ba ckground i n Bi ochemi s try wi th
experi ence i n protei n chemi s try a nd mol ecul a r bi ol ogy techni ques . Knowl edge of mol ecul a r model i ng wi l l be
a n a dva nta ge. (1 position, TAP/FA)

31 Sa ri ka Mehra
a nd Ra jdi p
Ba ndyopa dya
y (cogui de)

Therapeutic nanoparticles to counter drug resistance: Anti bi oti cs ha ve been cri ti ca l for the dra ma ti c ri s e of l i fe
expecta ncy a nd the fi ght a ga i ns t ma ny di s ea s es a nd i nfecti ons i n the pa s t fi fty yea rs . However, over the pa s t
deca de, a nti mi crobi a l res i s ta nce ha s emerged a s a ma jor publ i c-hea l th cri s i s Ma ny common gra m-pos i ti ve
a nd gra m-nega ti ve ba cteri a l pa thogens s uch a s Streptococcus pneumoni a e, Ps eudomona s a erugi nos a a nd
Sta phyl ococcus a ureus ha ve become progres s i vel y more res i s ta nt to tra di ti ona l a nti bi oti cs . Wi th the
emergence of mul ti drug-res i s ta nt a nd extreme drug-res i s ta nt Mycoba cteri um tubercul os i s s tra i ns , there i s
a n urgent need to fi nd novel s ol uti ons to counter thi s res i s ta nce. We ha ve us ed a combi na ti on of ma gneti te
na nopa rti cl e wi th fi rs t l i ne a nti -TB drug ri fa mpi ci n to a chi eve a s ynergi s ti c effect a ga i ns t i ntri ns i c drug
res i s ta nce of M. s megma ti s . We ha ve a l s o demons tra ted tha t the na nopa rti cl es a l ter the upta ke ki neti cs of
drugs i nto cel l s . In thi s project we wi l l further unders ta nd the mecha ni s ms of upta ke a nd a cti on of the
na nopa rti cl es on M. s megma ti s cel l s us i ng experi ments a nd model i ng. Who should apply: B.Tech/M.Tech i n
Bi otechnol ogy/Chemi ca l engi neeri ng/Mol ecul a r Bi ol ogy (1 position, FA only)

32 Sa ri ka Mehra Systems biology of antibiotic resistance: Mechanisms and Evolution through genomics: Anti bi oti cs ha ve been cri ti ca l
for the dra ma ti c ri s e of l i fe expecta ncy a nd the fi ght a ga i ns t ma ny di s ea s es a nd i nfecti ons i n the pa s t fi fty
yea rs . However, over the pa s t deca de, a nti mi crobi a l res i s ta nce ha s emerged a s a ma jor publ i c-hea l th cri s i s .
We a re us i ng Streptomyces coel i col or a s a model to deci pher the va ri ous mecha ni s ms empl oyed by ba cteri a
to counter a nti bi oti cs . A tra ns cri ptomi c s tudy us i ng whol e-genome mi croa rra ys revea l ed a combi na ti on of
mecha ni s ms tha t Streptomyces us es to counter fl uoroqui nol ones . Ma ny genes were i denti fi ed to potenti a l l y

a i d the cel l s i n res i s ti ng hi gh drug concentra ti ons . In thi s project, we wi l l s tudy the rol e of thes e genes us i ng
knock-out muta nts a nd tra ns cri ptomi cs . Further, we wi l l s tudy the evol uti on of res i s ta nce by genera ti ng
hyper-res i s ta nt muta nts a nd empl oyi ng next-genera ti on s equenci ng methods to i denti fy muta ti ons res ul ti ng
i n the obs erved phenotype. Who should apply:
B.Tech/M.Tech/M.Sc i n Bi otechnol ogy/Chemi ca l
engi neeri ng/Mol ecul a r Bi ol ogy/Bi ochemi s try Knowl edge of mol ecul a r bi ol ogy techni ques i ncl udi ng cl oni ng
wi l l be benefi ci a l for the project. (1 position, FA only)
33 Ateeque
Ma l a ni

Study of Interfacial Properties of Nanoparticles: Meta l l i c a nd non-meta l l i c na nopa rti cl es (NP) ha ve been
s ynthes i zed wi th excel l ent mecha ni ca l , el ectri ca l a nd therma l properti es , whi ch ha s potenti a l a ppl i ca ti on i n
va ri ety of a rea s . For ma ny a ppl i ca ti ons (e.g., pi ckeri ng emul s i on, ca ta l ys i s a nd thera puti c a ppl i ca ti ons ), thei r
s urfa ce properti es , s uch a s wetti ng a nd di s pers i on, need to modi fi ed to meet the requi rement of the
devi ces . The a i m of thi s project i s to unders ta nd the i nterfa ci a l beha vi our of na nopa rti cl es (conta ct a ngl e,
i nterfa ci a l rheol ogy etc.) us i ng mol ecul a r s i mul a ti ons a nd obta i n gui del i nes for i ts potenti a l us a ge. Who
should apply: BE (Chemi ca l Engi neeri ng), MTech (a l l bra nches ), MSc(Phys i cs or Chemi s try), b) Shoul d be
fa mi l i a r wi th mol ecul a r model l i ng methodol ogy, s houl d ha ve done numeri ca l methods a t undergra dua te or
pos tgra dua te l evel , s i gni fi ca nt progra mmi ng experi ence i n C/C++/Fortra n/Ma tl a b or a ny progra mmi ng
l a ngua ge a nd s houl d be convers a nt wi th l i nux/uni x, a bi l i ty to i ndependentl y a na l yze res ul ts a nd s i mul a ti on
da ta , experi ence i n the fi el d of mol ecul a r model l i ng i s des i ra bl e, excel l ent communi ca ti on s ki l l s . (2
positions, FA only)

34 Hema nt
Na na va ti

Molecular Modeling of Elasticity of Spider Silk and Related Biopolymers:

Who should apply: Chemi ca l Engg, Pol ymeri c Ma teri a l s Sci ence, Phys i cs (1 position, FA only)

35 Hema nt
Na na va ti

Multiscale Modeling of Melt Polymer and Copolymer Systems

Who should apply: Chemi ca l Engg, Pol ymeri c Ma teri a l s Sci ence, Phys i cs (1 position, FA only)