Biswabrata Goswami
MIDNAPORE, 15 MARCH: At a time when the world is grappling with an intensifying energy crisis and mounting environmental concerns, scientists and researchers from across the globe gathered at Midnapore College (Autonomous) to deliberate on the technologies that could shape a sustainable future. The three-day international conference, titled “Advanced Materials at the Energy–Environment Nexus: Toward a Greener Future,” brought together leading experts to explore how cutting-edge materials science can help address the intertwined challenges of energy security and environmental protection.
The conference was organised by the Department of Physics of Midnapore College as part of its centenary celebrations and is being held at the college’s Vivekananda Hall and Seminar Hall. The event opened with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp and the felicitation of distinguished guests, marking the beginning of a significant academic gathering that blends the department’s hundred-year legacy with contemporary scientific discourse.
Dr Asit Panda, principal of the college and chief patron of the conference, inaugurated the event and released the abstract volume of the seminar. The Vice-Chancellor of Vidyasagar University, Dr Dipak Kumar Kar, formally inaugurated the conference virtually. In their addresses, both speakers highlighted the growing relevance of interdisciplinary research in developing sustainable energy solutions and praised the department’s long academic tradition.
Conference chairman Dr Rajib Pradhan and chief convener Dr Abhijit Bera outlined the objectives of the event, noting that the conference aims to foster dialogue on advanced materials that can play a transformative role in energy and environmental technologies. Supported financially by CSIR and the ANRF, the organisers expressed hope that the event would add a new dimension to scientific engagement in the region.
Discussions at the conference focused particularly on the development of advanced materials for fuel cells and other emerging energy technologies. Speakers emphasised that as global dependence on fossil fuels becomes increasingly unsustainable, innovations in hydrogen energy systems and next-generation battery technologies will be crucial for a cleaner energy transition.
The conference has drawn participation from prominent institutions in India and abroad. Professor Samit Kumar Ray of IIT Kharagpur delivered the inaugural keynote lecture, presenting insights into the future of semiconductor and nanophotonics research. Another keynote address was delivered by Dr Ying-Sho Hwang of Academia Sinica, Taiwan, who attended the conference in person and presented his latest research findings.
Researchers from Germany, Italy and Canada also contributed to the academic deliberations, alongside participants from leading Indian institutions including IIT Kharagpur, the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Jawaharlal Nehru University and BITS Pilani.
Over the course of the three-day event, a total of 18 research papers are being presented. To encourage young scholars, a poster session featuring 30 research posters has also been organised, providing a platform for emerging researchers to showcase their work.
Beyond academic sessions, the conference also includes outreach activities aimed at students. A cultural programme by the department’s students was held on 13 March, while an astronomical observation session is scheduled for 14 March evening. Organised in collaboration with the N. C. Rana Sky Observation Centre, the sky-watching event is expected to spark greater interest in space science among students.
As the Department of Physics marks its centenary year, the conference stands as both a tribute to its rich academic heritage and a forward-looking initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of scientists committed to building a greener and more sustainable world.
