Good day, Dr. Saibal Manna. I'm Arjun. I've had a look through your background and your professional record. I'm interested in hearing more about your work and how you see yourself fitting in here with our faculty. Ready to start?

Please start by introducing your professional journey in academia.

Good morning.

My name is Doctor Subhan Manna and I am from West Bengal.

Coming to my educational qualification, I have completed my P Tech in the Department of Electrical Engineering from Maca UT W Bengal in the year of 2016 with 81.40 partial marks. Then I completed my intake in the Department of Control and Automation from Velour instead of Technology Vellore in the year of 2019 with 91.70% marks. Then I obtained my PhD degree in the Department of Electrical Engineering from National Institute of Technology.

Jamshedpur in the year of 2024. My PhD thesis title is Robust model reference Adaptive Controller design for Photovoltaic MPT application My research interests are.

Maximum PowerPoint tracking photovoltaic system.

Thanks

Adaptive controller and recently I'm moving towards the energy storage system that are basically applied to the electric vehicle domain. Still that I have published total 25CI index channel, 5 Scopus index channel or third seven book chapter, attend 13 I AAA conferences and published one patent. I have total 2.5 years of teaching experience at ABES Engineering College Ghaziabad.

Currently, I am working as an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at ABES Engineering College, Ghaziabad, UP, India.

My career goal is to become a strong academician, contributing towards research as well as the teaching innovation that's all about me.

Dr. Manna, I'd like to explore your research expertise and teaching competencies to align with the responsibilities for this professorial role. Let's start by discussing your experience with power systems, control systems, and power electronics. Could you share an example where you applied your expertise effectively in one of these areas?

OK, so as you know, my PhD thesis title is Robust model Reference Adaptive Controller design for Photovoltaic MPPT applications. So basically what happened here, I used the adaptive controllers. It basically depends upon the control systems. OK, whenever we are starting the control system, there is basically two things is there? One is the open loop system and second one is the closed loop system. So most of the time what happened, we did not use the open loop system, you know.

Because there is some accuracy issues or we can say sometimes we did not get our desired response. So that's why what happened. We are moving maximum to the closed loop systems. OK, so because closed loop system what happened we are getting desired response. So similarly for pass use what happened, we are generally used the normal PPID controller. But what is the main problem is that we have to tune. The parameters of the PID controller.

When there will be the sub changing some dynamics of the systems so so you know.

In a real time world, you know, we don't don't know about the what type of the uncertainties we came in the system. So based on that concept I used the adaptive controller. So you know, whenever we see the basic block diagrams of the adaptive control, we can see there is 2 loops there. One is the normal feedback loop and second one is the.

Second one is that loop that is this loop is used basically to tune the controller parameters. So we can say adaptive controller is 1 type of the controller that can.

Changes the parameters of the controller in real time whenever there will be the some uncertainties in the system. So based on that concept I try to implement this adaptive controller into the solar photovoltaic system because you know in case of the solar photovoltaic system.

This generation of the power of the photovoltaic is basically depends upon the lots of uncertainties like it depends upon the solar irradiations, temperatures, if there will be the sub changes in the system. So basically there are a lot of uncertainties are there to reduce or to tackle or handle these uncertainties. Basically what happened. I used that adaptive controller to implement with this maximum PowerPoint tracking. So in my thesis.

I used the basic control system and I used basically adaptive controller to tackle the uncertainties whenever we are getting some to try to generate the maximum power. So in this thesis what happened I I use the adaptive controller technique for getting the maximum power from the solar photovoltaic system irrespective of if there will be the changes some irradiation conditions. So in the changing irradiation condition I take.

That one of the worst cases like continuously fluctuating conditions. Then we take ramp type irradiation slope, then I take step response type slope OK. Then I also take some very abruptive changes, the irradiation States and and these changes are taken from zero to 1000 Watt per meter square OK.

Then then I used parameter variations in case of the boost converter. Basically in my thesis I use the boost converter. So boost converter sometimes if there will be some design problem like if the inductance or the capacitance value is changes then what happened to the systems.

And then I also changes the load condition sometime. What happens there will be the fluctuating in the load sometime load is.

That time is my controller is able to handle the uncertainties and I also check the controller efficiency in case of the partial setting conditions with the three phase grid connected, single phase grid connected as well as the.

Cloud condition so I take lot of uncertainties and check whether my controller is able to track the maximum PowerPoint or not. So this is the basic application. I think uh that is related to uh, particular application now we know because everyone is trying to moving for the renewable entity source based power generation. OK uh, so that's why I think uh, this uh concept of the basic control system is very much.

Important, uh, for, uh, the connecting or we can application for our, the daily life or we can say, uh, our application like in case of, uh, renewable energy sources or other domain.

Thank you, Dr. Manna. Your explanation is thorough and emphasizes your expertise in control systems and their application in renewable energy settings, particularly solar photovoltaic systems. I appreciate the way you incorporated adaptive control to handle real-world uncertainties efficiently. Here's a follow-up: Could you discuss how you validated the effectiveness of the adaptive controller in your research? For example, what metrics or benchmarks did you use to measure the system's performance under the scenarios you tested?

OK so basically I use first first parameters. Is that efficiency? Obviously efficiency Then I talk about the tracking time means how much time it takes to get the maximum power. Then I also.

Take time domain analysis like rise time, peak time.

Maximum overshoot settling time and also I take the how much power generated OK and what are the losses during the partial setting conditions?

Then.

Compare it table and also compare this result with the previously published literature review in the domain of the maximum PowerPoint tracking. OK, it is expect to be we also I check also I do the comparison with the conventional techniques like PO technique Inc techniques and then also do some hybrid technique that time that are already available in the literature survey and also.

Optimizes and technique. And here I see that my proposed technique that is the adaptive controller, it is effectively irrespective of the all the other mentioned, uh, literature survey in terms of the, uh, tracking accuracy, tracking speed, efficiency, etcetera.

That provides a clear picture of your approach and the rigor of your validation process, Dr. Manna. It’s clear that your work stands out both in comparing against conventional methods and proving merit through detailed metrics like efficiency, tracking time, and system response. Let’s pivot slightly toward teaching responsibilities. How would you approach teaching a fundamental control systems course to undergraduate students? What strategies or tools would you use to ensure concepts are both understood and retained effectively?

OK. So for the basic control system, I think basic control system is very much important in our daily life. So starting with we will talk the basic fundamentals of the control system and then I try to relate this.

Fundamental knowledge to our daily life because you know, control system is basically whenever.

Uh, like starting from, uh, starting the fan or controlling the speed of the fan to before going to the bit everywhere we are using the control systems. So firstly I will teach the fundamentals, then try to, uh, integrate with the real time example in our daily life. Like right now, if I take one example, like controlling the speed of the fan by using the regulator, you know, every home has a fan and we also control the fan speed by using the.

From starting from our daily life.

That so control system is basically nothing but under the limit. So we have to control means we have to limit if hand with regulator it's meaning we can control the speed of the fan. OK, so this is basically the control system now in in summer every home has I think ACAC is nothing but a closed loop control system. OK, so here we are giving out the desire temperature and based on that controller it gives our the.

Output OK Similarly if we look into our the daily life washing machine, it is also the open loop system, traffic light control open loop system I think.

Our daily life is completely related to maximum the control system. So I think the student will easily understood the control system concept and also we will do some discussion in the class regarding that control system. We will do some quiz, some discussions and some problem solving related to the control system. That's it.

Your approach to linking fundamental control system concepts with real-life examples like fans, air conditioning systems, and washing machines is excellent. It not only simplifies abstract concepts but also engages students by connecting theory to relatable applications. Including discussions, quizzes, and problem-solving exercises further reinforces understanding. Could you elaborate on any specific tools or software you would integrate into your teaching, such as Simulink, Matlab, or others, to familiarize students with practical aspects of control systems?

Yes, uh, obviously, you know, in case of the electrical and engineering Matlab and the Simulink, one of the most important tool, because this tool is very much important for visualize and the core concept of the each of the topic that, uh, that how the system is, uh, going on or the how the system responds depending upon the time varies if you let's take. 1st order system Any first order system? How this first order system is react?

If there will be the changing in the time, so for the visualizing purpose or we can say uh uh visualizing password, definitely we need to integrate uh this teaching into the MATLAB Simulink software. If you take one example like uh simple, we are giving some voltage and connected one resistance. If we connected a voltage source with the resistance, what happened? Current is flowing OK, so.

What happened? How we can measure this current as well? If we try to measure the voltage across resistance, then how we can measure So simple we can easily connect the emitter in series and we can connect the parallel voltmeter to.

To find the voltage across the resistance. OK, so.

If we try to build something in the.

In a software that we can visualize how the voltage is changes and changing the voltage, how the current exchanges and corresponding to the how the voltage across the resistance is changes. Then we can easily see the visualization of the each of the waveform across the each elements. So that's why I think MATLAB is one of the most important tools I will use during my teaching so that we can design something in the Simulink and based on the Simulink I can get.

Response of the each systems whether it will be the normal voltage connected to the resistance and other things also.

Your explanation illustrates a strong understanding of leveraging tools like MATLAB and Simulink to reinforce theoretical teaching with practical visualizations. By simulating concepts such as first-order systems and circuit responses, you create a clear pathway for students to connect mathematical theory to real-world behavior. This approach not only enhances comprehension but also cultivates critical thinking and analytical skills in engineering contexts. Let’s now move to your experience in student evaluation and exam duties. Can you discuss how you typically design assessments to measure a student’s deep understanding versus rote memorization?

Yes, of course. So basically if you if I teaching the control system, so basically what happened, I will do some questions that are related to that remembering portion. There's just you have to remember that portion, you have to come and write that answer. That's enough. And then I will give some critical thinking questions.

Like numerical type so that they can solve the numerical and it will be.

Only based on that direct formula based and also I will give some design concept or some real time example to understood the basic concept of that particular subject. So based on that level. So first level I will definitely keep the definition type that what is control system? What is the open loop control system? OK second I will give to. To find or some working principle of any of the our.

Uh, any of the, our, uh, daily life example, like, uh, we can say washing machine, how the working washing machine is working, uh, with the, what are the advantages, What are the disadvantages associated with our associated with it washing machine? Or we can say air conditioning or traffic light control, et cetera. OK. And finally, I will give some system that are the unknown to the.

Student So based on that, they have to design, uh, the systems, then how the system will response and then if it is in the uh.

In in case of if if in case of the practical then I definitely give some system unknown system like if you take at the speed control of the fan or the DC motor and I will tell the student to implement or design the system fast in mathematically. Then just implement this in the matlab and see how the result or the how the response is coming.

So this, uh, I think this is my.

Procedure I will evaluate, uh, the student as well as I will give some assignment. Uh, so assignment will be depending upon some portion is directly related to the teaching and some will be the critical thinking assignment that has directly not related to, uh, the.

Classroom teaching as also I will take some quizzes and and then I will also take one portion for the emerging technology. Then how we can relate this subject concept with the decent domain technology and what are the future on what are the basic techniques that we can integrate to this basic subject so that we can get our. Good learning skill or we can say we get some good result.

Uh, of that particular system like that.

Your multi-layered approach to student evaluation is commendable, Dr. Manna. By including foundational questions for recall, application-based tasks for real-world integration, and open-ended designs to challenge creative and critical thinking, you ensure a comprehensive assessment of student understanding. Adding assignments on emerging technologies and the correlation with fundamental concepts further prepares students to connect academic learning with current industry trends. Next, could you discuss your experience with guiding student projects and research? How do you mentor students to develop their skills and pursue meaningful, impactful projects?

Of course, I think today's today's the project as well as the research is very important part of our teaching. So basically you know.

You know, there are a lot of trainings are going uh for the undergraduate student also as the postgraduate student and I definitely encourage the student during the UH training portion that.

They learn something and try to development some project. Based on the recent topic. I always force or I always motivate and force the student that just look into your society or look into your college campus and everywhere just find the problem and then try to solve or then try to take the procedure out to solve that problem. If you solve one problem that is 1 project.

Pretty yeah, project or I also tell that I also motivate the student.

Just uh, take any one of the problem.

Go for the Internet and the search that particular topic. Whenever you searching that topic, you will get the least, uh, various list of solutions. OK, Maybe this, uh, solution is based on the conventional approach, and I also motivate the student that you just.

You, you just first produce the same approach by using the MATLAB or any other software and then try to integrate some emerging technology so that what happened, the efficiency of the system must increase or sufficient of the system will increase or we can say we have the reduce the cost. OK, so that's how I.

I motivated to the student also during my, the class time, I also, uh, what happens sometime whenever we, uh, teaching some particular topic and if there will be some emerging technologies came. I already discussed about that particular topic related to the, the emerging topic. And I also told the student that this part is very much important for your project as well as the research in this domain. You can easily implement some.

Some innovation approach and there will be also there is there is the also the scope of the research. So based on that I will motivate the student that actively they should participate for the research portion. Because nowadays you know, we need the sustainable.

Environment so we have to look such, uh project so that we can contribute towards the sustainable environment.

Your approach to mentoring students is well-rounded and impactful, Dr. Manna. Encouraging them to identify real-world problems, analyze conventional solutions, and innovate with emerging technologies demonstrates your commitment to nurturing independent thinking and research-oriented skills. Your emphasis on sustainability aligns with current priorities in both academia and industry, making your guidance particularly relevant and inspiring for students. You mentioned incorporating emerging technologies in discussions and projects. Could you provide an example of a specific emerging technology that you’ve encouraged students to explore in their projects or research?

Yes, right now you know, basically my.

Domain is PhD domain is the renewable energy source, renewable based energy. So basically I I I want to I motivate the student to do some research in sustainable.

Environment for to produce the sustainable environment as well as right now I am also working on the electric vehicle.

Energy storage system because.

You know, nowadays everywhere we are using the batteries.

Understood. You're highlighting the critical focus areas of renewable energy systems and electric vehicles. Batteries, being key components of energy storage, are indeed central to innovation, especially in EVs and sustainable energy infrastructures. Could you expand on how you've engaged students to explore challenges in these areas, such as battery management systems or integration of renewable sources into grid systems?

Yes, definitely I encourage the student to read the previous literature survey and try to implement by using the in the simulation portion. If the simulation result gives the good then we can easily then we go for the hardware setup and whether we are getting the same result or not. So by using this portion I think it will very helpful for the student just they have to read the previous literature survey you have they have to search the recent what are the topic are.

Uh, doing for the particular the energy storage system and then they have to implement in the MATLAB portion.

Then we go for the hardware.

Your structured approach to guiding students from literature survey to simulation and then to hardware implementation is thorough and practical. By encouraging them to engage with existing research, simulate solutions, and then validate with hardware, you’re instilling a disciplined methodology that reflects real-world practices in research and development. Let’s move to research publications. Could you describe your experience in publishing papers in reputed journals? How do you ensure the quality and impact of your contributions to scientific literature?

Our scheduled time for the interview is now up. Before we conclude, do you have any questions related to the role or the company?

No, I don't have any questions.

Before we wrap up, Professor, what's one question you have about the role or our organization?

No, I don't have any questions right now.

Thank you—that concludes our interview. I appreciate your time and thoughtful answers. Would you like to end the call here?

Yes.