Application for admission to the Department of Climate Change is being opened. For more information click here

For the students interested in pursuing PhD in Climate Change Department, IIT Hyderabad, we have scheduled an informational webinar on Wednesday (April 10) at 4:00 pm IST to cover our research strengths, PhD degree focus and funding. We will also be happy to answer any admissions or application related questions. Please express your interest in the webinar by 8/04 filling the form.


PhD Projects Available





Faculty Co-Guide Project Title Project Abstract Prerequisites
Suhash R. Dey Debraj Bhattacharyya Metal recovery from wastes using microbial fuel cell We intend to use the electricity, generated from a Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC), for metal recovery from e-waste and other types of waste. The cathode chamber of MFC will be modified to reduce cations from solution. Design of Experiments procedure will be optimized for operating parameters for maximizing metal recovery. B.E./M.Tech./M.Sc. in Science and Engineering
Suhash R. Dey - Electrochemical Green Iron/Steel Making from Iron Ore Iron is made from its oxide ores by using Carbon which generates green house gases. Direct electrochemical reduction can be a way to generate pure iron/steel which in turn shall generate oxyden as a by product. B.E./M.Tech./M.Sc. in Science and Engineering
Shiva Ji - To understand and analyze the direct and indirect detrimental effects of climate change on the built heritage structures To analyze changes in the climate patterns and assess their effects on heritage structures of different materials. To analyze inherent architectural features, site context and planning which help the structures’ natural resilience to climate change. To simulate scenarios of projected climate change and urbanization to understand and formulate a tool for risk assessment on structures. -
Shiva Ji - Sustainability assessment methods for the built environment with inputs from SDGs To identify gaps and areas for improvement in existing sustainability assessment frameworks. To explore emerging trends, best practices, and stakeholder preferences for new sustainability criteria. To integrate new criteria into existing sustainability assessment frameworks, ensuring compatibility and alignment with overarching sustainability goals. -
Shiva Ji - Enhancing Sustainability Assessment Methods for Disaster Management and Resilience in Urban Environments To assess the potential synergies and integration opportunities between sustainability assessment methods and other relevant fields, such as disaster management, resilience, and circular economy. To engage stakeholders, including policymakers, practitioners, and researchers, in the co-design and validation of enhanced sustainability assessment methods. To contribute to the advancement of knowledge and practices in sustainability assessment, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge exchange. -
Shruti Upadhyaya - Explainable AI (XAI) for hydro-meteorology studies To understand the existing callenges in directly adopting XAI techniques developed for other domains in hydro-meteorology and develope new techniques -
Debraj Bhattacharyya Ajey Patel (NIT Warangal) Developing Improved Aeration Systems for Biological Wastewater Treatment Processes In a typical wastewater treatment plant, 40-60% of the energy is consumed by aeration equipment. Thus, there is a need to improve the efficiency of aeration systems in general and specifically in relation to technology. The objective of this research is to develop new aeration/diffuser systems and improve the existing system configurations for more efficient aeration in aerobic bio-treatment processes at a reduced cost. First class/div. in B.E./B.Tech and in M.E./M.Tech in Environmental/Civil/Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, with a strong knowledge of Computational Fluid Dynamics.
Debraj Bhattacharyya _ Developing a Microalgae-aided Constructed Wetland for Rural Communities for Treatment and Reuse of Household Wastewater: A Pilot-scale Demonstration on Field By 2050, the global population is projected to reach 9 billion, necessitating a 60% increase in agricultural productivity to meet the growing food demand. However, this increased productivity would lead to a 19% surge in water demand for the agricultural sector. Consequently, exploring non-conventional water sources has become imperative, especially in regions where conventional water resources are scarce or lacking. Domestic and municipal wastewater presents an attractive option, but the indiscriminate use of untreated wastewater for irrigation in developing and underdeveloped countries poses direct and indirect health risks to farmers and consumers.This proposal aims to address these socially relevant issues through technology development and knowledge dissemination. The project's focus will encompass the following:Developing simple, sustainable, and easy-to-operate decentralized wastewater treatment systems that can be operated and maintained by rural communities.Promoting efficient water and nutrient reuse, fostering a circular economy and job creation.Raising awareness about the health hazards associated with conventional and emerging pollutants in water bodies. First class/div. in B.E./B.Tech and in M.E./M.Tech in Environmental/Civil/Chemical/Mechanical Engineering, with a strong knowledge of Computational Fluid Dynamics.
Ambika S - AI/ML/IoT/LCA-driven Digitalization and Prediction for Climate-Friendly Sustainable Agriculture/Smart Cities/Water&Air Quality/Waste Management This study aims to explore the application of AI/ML/IoT/LCA technologies in digitization and forecasting to promote climate-friendly and sustainable practices in agriculture/smart cities/air and water quality/waste management. The research will investigate the hotspots that further leads to effective digitization and forecasting approaches which helps in achieving sustainability, and EHRA focused climate-smart initiatives. -
Ambika S - Nanomaterials/biochar based Photoelectrocatalytic Membrane and Climate Change Mitigation The study will explore the application of nanomaterials/biochar based combined systems on environmental systems, focusing on its role in pollution removal/carbon sequestration connecting climate change and sustainability indicators. The research will involve laboratory experiments and data/system analysis. -
Ambika S - Waste to Wealth and Climate Change Mitigation The study will explore the waste to weath aspects with carbon sequestration/environmental-energy applications connecting climate change mitigation and sustainability aspects. The research will involve laboratory experiments and data/system analysis. -
R. Maheswaran - Extra tropical influence on monsoon variability and predictabily - MTech in Climate Science/ Earth Science/ Meteorology
R. Maheswaran - Seasonal to sub season prediction of precipitation - MTech in Climate Science/ Earth Science/ Meteorology
Niranjan Ghaisas V. Dixit (IIT Bombay) Wind resource assessment for small wind turbines Small wind turbines or distributed wind systems currently suffer from lack of data at very low heights close to the earth's surface. This project will use a combination of mesoscale (WRF) models, computational fluid dynamics and machine learning to dynamically downscale data from large scales to scales relvant to small wind turbines. BE/BTech and ME/MTech in Mechanical or Civil (Environmental) Engineering with interest in fluid mechanics and computer programming
Niranjan Ghaisas Sayak Banerjee Large eddy simulation of hydrogen combustion This project combines high-fidelity simulations of fluid flows (large eddy simulations) and detailed reaction mechanisms towards predicting combusting hydrogen jets. Validation with experiments will be performed followed by application to hydrogen-fueled scramjet engines. BE/BTech and ME/MTech in Mechanical or Civil (Environmental) Engineering with interest in fluid mechanics and computer programming
Deepu J. Babu - Development of flue gas carbon capture technology The project aims to develop technology for flue gas carbon capture using solid sorbents. Development of cheap and sustainable adsorbent materials will be explored and will be tested under simulated flue gas conditions. The feasibility of a carbon capture prototype will also be explored. BE/B.Tech/M.Tech/Msc. in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Chemistry
Sayak Banerjee Raja Banerjee Development of Ammonia Based Burner Systems Ammonia (NH3) is a potential carbon neutral fuel and hydrogen carrier that can be used in Industrial burners in place of Natural Gas. The project seeks to assess the combustion characteristics of NH3 as a fuel for burner systems using a mix of CFD and experimental studies. Reference BE/B.Tech or ME/M.Tech in Mechanical Engg., Chemical Engg., Thermal or Power Engineering
Satish Regonda IMD/IITM Short range Weather Forecasting: Application of AI/ML Climate forecasts have been issued for different forecast lead times, from 0th hour to several months ahead. Information at each lead time has its own influence, and as one would guess short-term climate forecasts, i.e., 0th to 7th days have important applications (flood mitigation and management, irrigation planning and management, society functioning). Typically, these forecasts will have biases and can be improved. As part of this project, the forecasts will be evaluated and techniques such as AI/ML will be explored. -