Good day, Dr. I. Mahendravarman. 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?

Yes, I am ready.

Sorry.

No problem. Please start by introducing your professional journey in academia.

I am Doctor Rai Mahendra.

Currently working as an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at ABC College of Engineering. I'm having 13 years of experience in teaching as well research. I have completed my PhD in Electrical Engineering at the Arno University, Chennai in the research area of photovoltaic based microbial power system using power converters.

Include renewable energy systems over electronics, microgrids and power converters for electric vehicle applications. In research, I have published papers in CIE and Scopus indexed articles, I have presented around 16 papers in international international conferences, I have published 2 patents and I have currently working on funded proposal writings.

I am motivated to.

I am motivated to contribute a research oriented academic environment in UVIT through quality teaching, student mentoring and impactful research.

Thank you, Professor. Allow me to delve deeper into relevant areas to assess your fit for the role effectively. Starting with your expertise in Renewable Energy Systems, could you briefly describe advancements or innovations in microgrid technologies you believe are poised to significantly impact electric vehicle applications?

Well.

In recent days, renewable energy based applications in microglip as well electric vehicle systems are most vital because in the recent recent development in power converters and other areas very relevant to the development in Lenovo H application, the main.

Issue in renewable based application is the power quality and low voltage gain so that we need to more focus on converter converters and the MPPT control techniques as well grid integration process. Because in recent days in future in near future the world fully rely on electric vehicle based application so that we need most charging station to compensate the. Power demand will occur in the electricity grid for that.

We must rely on renewable based E vehicle charging station for E vehicle applications as well. In future, the power demand mostly depend on renewable based applications like solar, wind, these kind of energy resources to provide the electricity to the consumers. So that in near future renewable waste applications like microgrid and.

Electric vehicle are the most prominent for the near future.

Yes.

Understood, Professor. You emphasized the criticality of addressing power quality issues, voltage gain in renewable applications, advancements in converter technology, MPPT control, and grid integration for electric vehicles. It is evident that microgrid and renewable-based EV charging systems are central to your perspective, alongside their capacity to sustain future power demands. Speaking of converters, could you elaborate on any specific topology or control strategy you’ve worked on that addresses these challenges effectively?

I recently.

Earlier recently my research work focuses on high gain DC to DC converters. Usually the PV system need a booster converter because the PV system produce low amount of voltages that is not enough to integrate with the inverter or any grid system or any charging system because the low voltage output does not meet the grid standards. That is why we need a boosted connectors but the normal standard converters doesn't.

Inverter or microgrid system. The reason why the gain is very poor. If we if we increasing the gain by improving the duty cycle it will affect the converter performance so that we don't able to use the normal boost converter for the PV based applications. So that I am focusing on high gain DC to DC converters. It is also doing the same process boosting the input voltage from the solar to high high level but the top.

Reach the maximum gain to come to adaptable with.

I presently I'm mainly focused on quadratic based converter operations. In that operation I can reduce the duty ratio and improve the duty gain high gain by using the proper MPPT technique. By adopting some artificial intelligence techniques or artificial neural techniques, neural network techniques, this can improve the most.

Structure was very different. We can.

This can include a gain with the minimum duty ratio and we can utilize the high voltage gain with minimum stress on the power electronic switches and some other benefits also we have attained. So I'm only so I'm focusing on different varieties of high gain DC to DC converters. Especially I'm working on KY converter, quadratic boost converter, interleaved based converter topologies because these type of converters can provide a maximum gain to the. Maximum gain for the converter output.

And also it can easily adaptable for the grid integration process as well electric vehicle charging stations. So that is why I'm focusing on this kind of converters and using some AI techniques like optimization algorithm, meta is CBS algorithms and hybridized with neural network topologies and it can provide a better power tracking efficiency for the converter operation.

Thank you for the detailed response, Professor. It is evident that your expertise in high-gain DC-DC converters, such as KY converters, quadratic and interleaved topologies, along with your integration of AI techniques for efficiency improvements and minimal stress, aligns strongly with impactful renewable energy applications. Transitioning to your teaching focus, how do you ensure that students grasp complex theoretical concepts, such as those in power electronics or renewable integration, in a structured and comprehensible manner?

Yes.

I focus on concept based teaching supported by practical examples, simulation tools such as MATLAB, and case studies related to real-world renewable energy applications. So I also encourage project based learning to improve the student understanding.

Sorry, could you please repeat the question because during the process some words cannot able to hear us.

Would you please?

Could you please repeat?

Certainly, Professor. How do you ensure that your teaching methods effectively prepare students to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical, industry-ready skills?

By giving assessment like mini projects or some other conference presentations and these kind of activities I will give them to, I will motivate them to participate in the various conference events or seminar events. And also I gave them any assessment like case studies or mini projects and I motivate them to do the project in. Laboratory and they will learn.

Some practical exposure to the theoretical concept and access to by the results. I I can monitor. I can monitor and access the results. They they can improve the improve themselves by implementing the theoretical knowledge in the practical systems by by giving the project mini project and some other assessment to them.

Understood, Professor. Your emphasis on assessments like mini-projects, conference participation, and case studies to foster practical exposure demonstrates a clear commitment to bridging the theoretical and practical divide. These are valuable strategies for preparing students for real-world challenges. Let’s discuss your research contributions. Could you share more about the patents you mentioned earlier and their relevance to renewable energy or electric vehicle applications?

I have published 3.

Reputed journals in SEI which is Springer Journals. In that journals I have mainly focused on converter applications for renewable based Electric vehicle charging system as well grid integration, micro grid integration process and also three articles under the review in Springer elsewhere like reputed journals. Also, I have published Scopus index articles in I triple explore Springer book chapters.

And these are my mainly focuses on E vehicle charging patterns, NPPT control techniques for solar PV system, hybrid energy topologies, energy management systems. I also published 2 patterns which focuses on renewable-based application. The one is wind flora, the another one is IR sensing technology for the renewable based applications. And also I have developed a research prototype with with by guiding the students in.

UG level SO designed a prototype for the high performance, high DC to DC converters. Also working in the E vehicle prototype development.

This is this is this is the current research contribution by myself. Also I am focusing on more in research contribution in near future.

Thank you, Professor. It is evident that your research encompasses significant contributions to renewable energy systems, particularly in converters, MPPT control techniques, EV charging, and hybrid energy management systems. Your patents and hands-on prototype development highlight your practical impact in advancing the field. One final question regarding your funded proposal work: Could you share your approach to identifying funding opportunities and aligning them with impactful research goals in your field?

Yes, Sir. Yes, I recently worked with some funding proposals in the in last in in December. I have applied a project proposal in ICSS or TOMI. The proposal comes from the proposal focuses on E vehicle charging station and also I have applied a fund for post doctoral fellowship in a CT scheme.

This also focuses on high gain DC to DC converter for E vehicles charging.

So with the advanced a control technique and also I have applied a funding proposal for faculty development program as well workshop for embedded system for the student teaching learning classes as well student development. These are the also motivating the students to apply the project proposals under the scheme of TN STC as well. Neural Scheme. These are the research proposal activities I have actively involved.

I'm very much interested to apply more proposals in the near future.

And also I am.

This is my proposal activities.

Thank you, Professor. Your active involvement in funded proposals, particularly for EV charging systems, high-gain converters, faculty development, and student-driven projects under various schemes, demonstrates both foresight and dedication to impactful research and academic enrichment. With this comprehensive understanding of your achievements and contributions, I have everything I need to proceed. I will now consolidate and conclude the evaluation of your qualifications. Thank you for sharing your insights.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Is that meeting is continued?

OK, OK.

To begin, could you share which foundational course or concept in renewable engineering you find most rewarding to teach and why?

Teach renewable energy systems, Solar photovoltaic system, power electronics, microgrid and distributed generation. The power converters for vehicle applications.

I can confidently.

Because these are.

Aligned with my research research area also I have developed my research skill as well motivating the students in this renewable based applications.

Thank you, Professor. It's clear that your teaching interests align well with your research expertise, which is certainly an asset in motivating students toward cutting-edge applications in renewable energy systems. I have what I need from this section. Let’s move on.

OK.

Dr. Mahendravarman, I noticed that your research includes a variety of interesting projects, such as the "High-Performance KY Converter for PV-integrated EV charging" and the "Optimized High-Gain Bidirectional DC-DC Converter for EV regenerative braking." Let's start with the first one. Could you describe the primary challenges you faced while developing the High-Performance KY Converter and how you addressed them?

Yes.

During the development of hardware prototype I have faced.

Some technical issues like uh, managing the switching stresses and design process and assembling the.

Components in prototype area. These are the little difficulties I have faced and after that a clear evaluation. After clear evaluation of that difficulties I have well managed to develop the prototype with the help of my students as well my Co faculties and I have come successfully completely successfully developed the high gain high performance KYC KV computer.

For the E vehicle charging system.

Understood, Professor. Managing switching stresses and prototyping are indeed challenging aspects. Since you mentioned clear evaluation as part of your solution, could you elaborate on any specific methods or metrics you used during this evaluation to optimize the converter's performance for EV charging?

I have utilized.

ABS, MPPT techniques to extract the maximum energy from the PV system also.

I access the converter performance error method.

Up to attaining the proper gain from that converter topology. This is the method I have implemented and I am using DSP processor, Digital signal processor for producing the duty cycle for the converter switches and using utilizing the most advanced control architecture like microcontroller, DSP, PS2, microcontrollers and it provide drive and also utilizing the MOSFET.

Of course, which is very helpful to complete accomplish that converter development. And I have using the Italian error method to access the converter performance from the beginning to end level.

Thank you, Professor. It's impressive to hear about your use of MPPT techniques, DSP processors, and advanced control architectures for optimizing the converter's performance. Now, transitioning to another aspect—how do you integrate such advanced research topics, like this project, into your teaching methods to make complex concepts more accessible to your students?

Yes, I can explain them with some basic topologies like boost converter, conventional MPPT techniques for understanding purpose from the basics. Students are able to learn in a easy manner for the easy manner in this in those concepts. And after that I gave them simple experiments like MATLAB, simulation work. From that they have learned some boost converter operation, some PV panel working also. How? Works on how we test the electricity from the PV panel and how it produce the output with controller switching topologies and from the basics they have how it the PV system works. And after that I have teaching teaching them from intermediate level concepts like some sepic converters, some other converters and from that learning process they have well managed to learn the advanced level converter topologies by using the case studies like.

By simulation simulation by using MATLAB simulation tools and some simulation tools, students are able to learning the process from fundamental to advanced level and very it is very much easy process to them.

Yeah.

Thank you, Professor. Let’s conclude this section here. Moving to the next steps.

Yes.

We can move.

Professor, could you outline your 3-year research roadmap, focusing on how it aligns with the field of Renewable Engineering and could contribute to advancing the institutional goals?

It is a strong academic structure, emphasis on quality research, structured teaching, environmental aligned well with my long term group as an authorization, so I have planned to publish at least three to four articles per year.

Also, I have interest to submit at least two proposals per year. Also motivating the students to publish the articles to publish their research work in the conference presentation present the paper. Present a paper. Present as a paper in the conference as well motivate them to publish article. Also contribute development of laboratories related to the renewable energy. Also develop. Also interested to contribute in the curriculum development related.

Noble Energy applications and I am interested to contribute in the accreditation work like NBA and Enact process. These are the minimum goal for the first three years in the VAT.

Thank you, Professor. How do you plan to mentor junior students and ensure a consistent pipeline of high-quality publications arising from your laboratory?

From the basic, they first learn how the research, how the research work going on, how to write the article, how to present your paper in international level conference and I will teach them. After that I am motivating them to write a article from literature and some technical aspect like. Converter design as well. Simulation model and assimilation outputs.

From that they have learned how to write a article and how to present them, and I motivating them and contributing in the conference presentation. So this is the key idea.

A student gain a knowledge in the research area, first thing they do they they will do the project and after that after the completion of project they must develop Russia research article for in that aspect I have teach them how to develop a project.

With a successful output and how to write your article from that project and how to present a.

Paper in your conference, so this is the way I have motivate them to.

Actively participated in the project as well. Conference from the fundamental to advanced level.

To involve in the research activities by.

Understood, Professor. How do you plan to leverage international collaborations to enhance the impact and citation metrics of your research outputs?

In in the aspect of citation.

I hope I have published more Open Access articles and it will gaining more viewers for my viewers for my research process and also presenting the my presenting my research work in the public domain and it is very useful to learn many things from my research work to the viewers.

Thank you, Professor. I believe that provides valuable insight into your strategy. Let's proceed.

Yes.

Sorry I can't able to hear you.

Sorry, after flip classroom I I don't hear, I don't hear your voice.

Sorry, you were what? Your voice is breaking.

Apologies for the technical issue, Professor. I’ll clarify—can you explain how you would implement an active learning model, such as a Flipped Classroom, for a large-enrollment course without using slides?

I can teach them with a practical examples.

Uh, design, yeah. Boost converter with a simple components like inductor, inductor, capacitor and, uh, available, which is available in the laboratory, basic laboratory in the college. Uh, by using that, uh, I, I can teach them, uh, how to, uh, design A converter, uh, with calculation, some simple calculations in the laboratory also, uh, I can teach them with some.

Simulation tools like PC, MATLAB and PCB design. From that students are able to learn something. In that computer based teaching, students are easily understand how to design this process and they are easily learning the theoretical concept in a practical view.

Thank you, Professor. Now, how do you plan to align your teaching methods with VIT University's mission of providing world-class education in Renewable Engineering, specifically in delivering impactful laboratory sessions? Could you expand on your approach?

Yes.

I can teach them with, uh, practical examples like designing a simple boost converter, simple MPPT topologies. I prototype model with uh, uh, so TV system, converter system and the inverter system and.

Also, I am utilizing the latest innovations in the simulation tools, also try to implement latest innovations in the artificial intelligence techniques, how it is incorporated with this kind of research activities and by by providing the by providing the case studies or assessments to them, they can. Easily understand some of the basic fundamental level to advanced level and I am.

Lecture to them without in a practical way. So the theoretical concepts can be delivered in a practical way in the laboratory by designing the simple converters. From that students are easily able to learn how what are the things we need to concentrate, what are the issues will be arise during the design process. This can be easily assessed in the laboratory or practical sessions instead of theoretical classes.

I mainly focus to give the.

Understood, Professor. Very practical approach. To conclude this section, how do you design evaluation tools to measure actual competency beyond standardized testing? How do you assess whether students grasp both theoretical and practical knowledge effectively?

Assessments. I gave them some assessments. If they are to complete the assessment, I will evaluate them based on that evaluation. Evaluation process I will give them marks. Based on the marks I can access whether they have utilized effectively or not by.

Evaluation process.

Thank you, Professor, for elaborating on your approach. Let us move forward. One moment.

Professor, please share your systematic approach to improving a specific departmental metric, such as research output per faculty, which is essential for high-level accreditation.

Publishing articles in reputed journals, at least three to four journals per year also present a articles in a international conference like IEEE has been there and also concentrate on Python publications and getting grants. So these are the activities will improvise the research activity for the faculty as well institution growth.