Collaboration between NIT-Karnataka and NYU to enhance 3D printing activities

MANGALURU: The National Institute of Technology, Karnataka (NIT-K), leading technological institution in the country has proven expertise in the area of 3D printing of lightweight composites. A collaborative project of NIT-K with New York University (NYU) has received an International Research Experience for Students (IRES) grant from the United States National Science of Foundation (NSF).
The Rs 2 crore-grant is awarded for a period of three years to host six USA students at NIT-K for an internship each summer. Director of NIT-K K Umamaheshwar Rao said, “It is a great opportunity for students of both the countries for exploring new avenues in 3D printing with a focus on developing viable solutions for societal needs.” Mrityunjay Doddamani of NIT-K and Nikhil Gupta of New York University will be directing this programme in their respective countries. This project aims to provide students a comprehensive experience of taking 3D printing research from the laboratory to industrial-scale realization.
This collaborative project includes NIT-K, Surathkal; NYU, New York, USA; New York City College of Technology (CityTech), USA; IIT Kanpur (IITK) and Aha 3D Innovations Private Limited, Jaipur. Other team members as part of this project on 3D printing are Gaffar Gailani (CityTech), Jeyaraj Pitchaimani (NIT-K), Anandhan Srinivasan (NIT-K), Shakti Gupta (IITK) and Aakash (Aha 3D).
3D printing has the potential to change the manufacturing scenario substantially expressed Shrikantha Rao, head of mechanical engineering at NIT-K. Mrityunjay Doddamani emphasized the need for such programmes that can provide technical as well as cultural exposure to the students of top universities around the world in laboratories in Indian institutions. The eight-week summer programme every year, which starts in 2021, will enable NIT-K students to interact with the US students for research in NIT-K labs and provide opportunities for hands-on research, industry exposure, and cultural interactions.