Good day, Dr. Arpan Tewary. 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?

Uh, good morning my friend. Uh, my name is Doctor Arpan Tiwari and I did uh, integrated five years B.Tech M tech in energy engineering from Central University of Jharkhand, which I qualified with First Division and distinction in engineering. After that I worked with a.

SU sponsored PhD program at Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology which is an institution of national importance and that institute is an IID which is an Indian Institute of Technology brought up by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India wherein I had worked on green hydrogen generation through seawater electrolysis. During my work, I not only focused on green hydrogen generation but also.

A bit of utilizing this transition metals basically, which are non-no. Well, metals which are very much less costly and affordable to develop this electric catalyst and further fabrication of electrodes. I was also actively engaged in development of electrolyzers for commercial applications and development of hydrogen, green hydrogen plant powered by renewable energy, especially solar and wind energy related power to run this electrolyzers. After completing my PhD with a handsome number of publications, conferences and. International conferences where I was awarded as well.

After that, I joined one of India's most reputed Psus that is Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited in its Green R&D center at Bangalore where I'm currently working on develop production of green hydrogen from H2S splitting. Basically solving the problems of the refinery wherein we see that sulfur is a menace for the ref.

Finally, so we are trying to utilize this hydrogen sulfide and sulfur waste to convert it to green hydrogen and simultaneously produce some kind of value added product which is of commercial significance and that can earn a lot of money. Also along with it, I'm also working on advanced electrode fabrication for sea water electrolysis for commercial implementation of these sea water electrolysis plant for green hydrogen generation.

Yeah.

Yeah. Actually maximum PowerPoint tracking is that point where we see that the value of the potential and the current is maximum. OK. In case of a solar cell, we if we draw that IV curve, we see that at a particular point where the where the value of the current and the potential is maximum. In that IV curve, it is known as the MPPT and a constant. CBT which is which you are actually.

Dr. Tewary, I see you completed your Ph.D. in Energy Engineering and your thesis focused on the development of salt-resistant active electrodes for seawater splitting. Excellent. Let us now proceed to evaluate your skills as they apply to the role you are interviewing for. Since the position requires expertise in various engineering and renewable energy disciplines, I will be verifying your depth of understanding domains related to this role systematically. Starting with your knowledge of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, can you explain the difference between Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and Constant Voltage Tracking (CVT) methods in photovoltaic systems?

Asking me is that where we see that the at a particular potential the current continues to remain constant?

MMM.

Yes, yes.

Yes, basically, uh, if we look at a thermoelectric generator, basically it is working on the principle of see back effect. In that case, we see that if the, if the thermal conductivity is the lowest, then we see that in case in that case, the value of the figure of merit goes up. So it is basically inversely proportional. Higher the figure of merit, lower the thermal conductivity, better is the material.

Alright. Moving forward to the next area of evaluation: Mechanical Engineering principles. Could you explain how the concept of thermal conductivity is critical in the design of thermoelectric materials for energy harvesting applications?

Actually when we look at a green hydrogen system, the first thing it is based on the principle of water electrolysis. If we look at the concept of water electrolysis, the minimum amount of potential required to split water is 1.23 Volt. So whenever we will try to develop a electrode basically which is based on the functional means activity of the Electro catalyst that is coated on the electrode, we will see that the over potential should be much, much less. The lesser the over potential better is the Electro catalyst or the electrode. So we will first try to develop a. That is having very, very close value of water splitting which is very close to 1.23 Volt. After we are satisfied with that, we can go to further scale it up and to make it an electrode which can be applicable for commercial generation. Once we are successful in testing the stability of the material for more than thousand hour, 2000 hour, 3000 hour or maximum to 5000 hour, after that we can go towards the system fabrication where we will be. Means implementing this inside a modeled electrolyzer. Then that electrolyzer will be connected to the balance of. Plant when we where we'll have different other accessories, the storage time for the electrolyte after that it will move to the electrolyzer. From there it will be come it will do type of gases will be released. One is the hydrogen, highly enriched hydrogen, the other one will be highly enriched oxygen. That hydrogen we have to pass through another system where there will be 1 moisture absorber where the moisture will be absorbed and such that it it does not travel further and the pure hydrogen can be taken out for our requirement. The oxygen similarly can also be passed through a moisture.

Correct. Lower thermal conductivity helps maintain the temperature gradient, which is critical for improving the efficiency of thermoelectric materials. Good understanding. Next, regarding Renewable Engineering—your field of specialization—how would you approach designing a system for green hydrogen production that ensures maximum energy efficiency?

After that, the oxygen can also be taken for multiple purposes like medical use.

So.

So.

Serving any industry as a postdoctoral fellow fully focused on research. So I have that experience of both integrating the academic and the industry. Keeping in view the future that is coming. We have to make our students, we have to basically shape our students career in such a manner such that they can travel both the direction. If they want to build a career in the academic field, they can also do that. If they want to make a field in the industry field, they can do that.

Take your time. Please share how you approach teaching foundational theory and managing laboratory courses for engineering students.

Keeping since I have both the experience of the academic field and currently.

So that thing is that whenever I will start doing this teaching in the teaching methodology, we will have to develop the students core, fundamental, core and fundamental knowledge about whatever topic that I am teaching and also integrating it with the practical skills which they will be requiring in their professional lives. It is, it should not be one way, but it should be in a multiple direction. The developer should be a development of a child or a student. An engineering student should be a overall development keeping in view the academic knowledge as well as the practical skills.

They will that will be helpful for them to get a job. First, we will be focusing on developing this fundamental knowledge in the student. He should be well aware about this subject, what is what he is actually learning. The concept should be very clear that for that case we have I. I will always insist on taking regular classes and regular assessments so that step by step the entire syllabus is completed and it does not give a burden on the student. Meanwhile, we will also move to the laboratory. Courses also.

Where where we will see the practical applications of each and every concepts of engineering, the theories as well as the so that there is a skill development of the student within within the stipulated time frame. So that whenever he goes out, he is able to acclimatize himself or herself with the actual job environment such that he can be competitive with with other people in his own field. This will help them to blend well with both academic and industry.

Yes, if I'm provided with an opportunity as I have already done during my PhD. Also, I have guided many B.Tech and M Tech students and currently many internship students are also working under me in PS in this HPCL. So basically we are always think that whenever we start any work, we generally provide some study material so that he can get a get himself well acclimatized to what he is actually supposed to do during his time.

Your dual emphasis on foundational knowledge and practical applications is commendable. The structured approach of combining regular classes, assessments, and laboratory work with practical skill-building shows a clear commitment to equipping students to thrive in both academic and industrial environments. Moving forward—can you share your approach to guiding students on research projects? How do you ensure both innovation and rigor in their work?

So basically when they are given some amount of time for five to six days, a one week or maximum to be 10 days, they can acclimatize themselves to what they actually want to do. After that, the student himself will come up with the idea. The idea can be a matured idea. The idea can be an immature idea. As a guide, it is my duty to listen to that student to find out what is actually he wants to do, if there is any.

I'm sorry.

Shortcoming in that idea I will. It is my duty to enrich that idea. And I will do that it when the when the student will come up with the idea, it will help him to increase his level of thinking so that in the coming time he can become an independent researcher. So the idea behind this guiding a student is to produce a good scientist or a good researcher and make him a self independent.

And all my projects will be basically relevant to the practical applications which will help him to thrive in his professional career in the coming time, both in Academy as well as in research.

Skilled person in the coming time.

Yup.

Your mentorship approach emphasizes fostering independent thinking and enriching students' ideas while grounding their work in practical applications. Encouraging students to bring forward their ideas and guiding them towards rigor and relevance demonstrates a thoughtful and effective strategy for developing future researchers and skilled professionals. To conclude this skills evaluation phase, I need to confirm your understanding of academic publishing. Can you describe the key aspects that make a research paper suitable for submission to reputed journals?

Actually, whenever we are thinking about publishing something, first of all.

Well, we need to find out whether whatever we are publishing is relevant to a particular journal or not. First we have to think that second thing before sending that paper to a particular high impact factor journal. Second thing is that if we are doing a research on a particular thing, we will always have to try that we do research which is which is presently being done by people or a bit higher than that. If our if our research work is relevant to the current context, then only we can send our paper to high impact journal and also we have to see whatever results we have obtained that that.

Repeat comparison. Comparison to other people of similar field or similar work that they have published. Our results should be also like that. It should be not lower than that or a less efficient system. We cannot produce otherwise our paper will not be accepted in high impact journal. So we always have to.

Think always be a bit ahead than people, always think a bit ahead than people. Our work should have contents which other people are not at all including. Or maybe that amount of data is not there in other paper. Other publishers work. If we are capable to produce something a based system which is much better than others, our results much better than others. OK, our data content much better than other others and the research topic also. Where current like the current research topic or research topic which is basically emerging.

Then we can entrust with our thinking that yes, our paper can be accepted in high impact factor journals.

You have outlined the essentials well—relevance to the journal, innovation in research above current standards, rigorous comparative analysis with existing literature, and contributions in emerging or impactful research domains. This demonstrates a strong grasp of the publishing process for high-impact journals. With this, we conclude the skills evaluation phase.

MMM Generally, since I have a renewable energy background, I am well competent to teach all kinds of renewable energy technologies that is currently existing because I have already done the TA duty. Also teaching assistance if also during my PhD guided so many Btech, Mtech and students as well as I have been rigorously working with my PhD junior. So even today when I have completed my PhD but still we I'm working with my juniors of my PhD. So basically I am competent to teach this entire. Virgin energy system right from generation storage to practical applications that other on the other side we can teach this thermoelectric generators also I can also work on this wind energy technology, solar thermal systems, solar photovoltaic systems. I am also working actively now on fuel cell technology. Also, I am also working on utilizing different kinds of anodic reactions replacing the OER because we know the OER is a very energy intensive reaction. So I can also teach on that field of urea oxid.

Professor, to start, could you share which specific course or subject in renewable engineering you find most gratifying to teach, and why?

Also complete electrochemistry. Also, I'm also competent to teach the fuel cell technology, electrochemical energy conversion and management and also energy auditing and conservation.

Also, I can reach the basic concepts of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and chemical engineering which I have also done as a part of my TA duty during my PhD.

Thank you, Professor, for outlining your comprehensive teaching background.

Yeah, actually, when we talk, since my entire thesis is based on sea water electrolysis, it is very difficult to electrolyze sea water.

Professor Tewary, I see that your Ph.D. thesis focused on the "Development of Salt Resistant Active Electrodes for Seawater Splitting." Could you elaborate on the primary objective of this research and how it contributes to advancements in sustainable electrocatalysis?

There for a longer period of time using a using a same electrode or electrocatalyst because the seawater consists excess amount of chlorine ions which is very much detrimental to the health of the electrode over a long time of electrolysis. Moreover, seawater consists of lot of impurities and also it is less conductive. Also there is a chance that in case of alkaline conditions our electrode will degrade during electrolysis. There is a tendency that lot of magnesium and calcium salts will be formed in the during the electrolysis process and also there is there is. Calcium and magnesium salt in forms of magnesium chloride and calcium chloride present in the seawater which makes the life of the electrode and electric at least during electrolysis a quite means a challenging environment. So the my target was to develop those kinds of electrocatalyst and electrode which can sustain these challenging conditions in also in presence of an alkaline environment. This challenging conditions such that it can stable for a longer.

End of electrodes which are running at very high current density, there's an industrially acceptable current density of more than nearly more than 400 milliampere per cent square for nearly 700 to 800 hours of operation. So since my entire target was to develop electrodes and electricals that can sustain on sea water, therefore I have against this challenging conditions of these detrimental salt present in the seawater. I have named the thesis as study.

Period of time and from my publications I have already shown that there I have developed those guys.

He's on the salt-resistant active electrodes for seawater splitting.

An impressive and rigorous undertaking, Professor Tewary. You’ve clearly addressed multiple challenges posed by seawater electrolysis, from chloride ion-induced degradation to magnesium and calcium salt deposition. How did you ensure the long-term stability and performance of these electrodes, particularly at industrially viable current densities? Could you describe any specific testing methods or innovation in electrode materials that were pivotal to your results?

Whenever I developed this electrode, I had very particularly gone through literature and studied that how what is the mechanism that.

It is basically causing the degradation of this nanocatalyst or the electrocatalyst and the electrodes during this seawater electrolysis. I had found that due to this presence of this chloride ions, there is a corrosion of the electrode and these chloride ions basically spoil the electrodes over a long period of time and ultimately the stability of the electrode goes down South. What I did, I made changes in the electrode I made in such a manner. I covered the electrode with a repulsive CL and minus repulsive nature of the.

On the surface, which is basically a net like structure where op CN layer. Due to the presence of the CN layer, what happens when the chloride ions come and try to attack the electrode, it often gets repulsed. OK, so due to this what happens the the material continues to remain stable are at very high current density because we know the required current density for industrial acceptable is at least 400 milliampere per CM square. The current density at low over potential. So in this case I.

Using this strategy I have been able to reach a current density of 400 milliampere per CM square at a lower potential and this material is stable for nearly 700 to 800 hours of operation. I have used the technique chrono amperometry to prove this that this material is.

Stable for so much hours of operation.

Thank you for the thorough explanation, Professor Tewary. Chronicle amperometry combined with a protective CN layer certainly appears to have been an effective strategy for achieving both stability and industrial-grade current densities. Let’s tie this into education. How would you simplify and express these complex concepts and your research approach to undergraduate engineering students who are just beginning to explore renewable energy systems?

Since these are basic concepts of electrochemistry, we have.

To first make them understand the basic concepts of electrochemistry. After we make them understand the basic concept of electrochemistry through different graphical analysis or through reading some effective study materials, we can make them first realize what is the need of this. Once they are aware of the need of this particular thing, then we can a bit go higher, escalate and then make them understand that how to how to address this need or how to address this challenge from there in this concept of pronoun.

Chrono potential material will generate when we will go ahead with this kind of approach, we can easily make the undergraduate.

You shouldn't understand the importance of these techniques to to study the stability of a material in seawater electric.

A systematic approach, indeed, Professor Tewary. Starting with foundational electrochemistry concepts and gradually introducing the real-world challenges and advanced techniques like chronoamperometry provides an effective pathway for students to grasp the significance of stability and performance studies in seawater electrolysis. Furthermore, how would you adapt your teaching methodology to spark curiosity among students, particularly in pursuing research areas like seawater splitting?

Given the current world energy scenario, we see that the conventional energies are degrading day by day. People are getting more interested to our renewable energy. Once we are able to develop this concept that why we need to address these challenges with fossil fuels and conventional energy and what is the need of renewable energy in coming time. How it is the only way that mankinds and survive. We can be assured that people will understand the need of this renewable energy and accordingly.

They will take more interest in studying this renewable energy concept and so it will become a very easier task for us to make people realize the need of renewable energy and that will actually get them more attracted towards research and innovation in the coming days.

You’re absolutely right, Professor Tewary. By contextualizing renewable energy within the pressing global energy challenges, you underline its importance not just academically but as an urgent necessity for humanity’s future. This approach will no doubt inspire students to engage deeply with the topic and explore innovative solutions through research and learning. Thank you for sharing this perspective. Let's move forward.

The first thing I would like to do is to establish the laboratory within a very small period of time and get all the necessary equipments. And we already have the CRF at VIT, which is an additional advantage. Also, I will quickly try to get 3-4 PSD scholars under me. I already have the road map with me. How to manage the schemes are ready for research, so we'll already try to implement them as soon as possible in the lab, and quickly try to publish the papers at least five years, so that within three years we can publish at least 15 publications.

Professor, could you outline your three-year research roadmap if you were to join as a Professor of Renewable Engineering? Specifically, how do you envision fostering institutional rankings through your work while ensuring fiscal sustainability and high-impact outcomes?

Also do collaboration with other faculty members at BIT and some other foreign institutions, which will help us to indirectly, which is indirectly help us to increase directly and indirectly help us to increase the ranking.

Nothing is to choose.

Also it will help us to fetch job for our graduates.

It it basically will try to motivate students in such a manner that they can they pursue active research which will help them to basically get self motivated and work accordingly for themselves for their own future. When these people will feel that yes, this work is basically going to develop their own future, they will automatically get self interested in this work and they will come to the lab and work. Work for their own betterment, which will indirectly help them to get very good publications.

How do you plan to mentor junior students and ensure a consistent pipeline of high-quality publications from your lab?

The attending conference is not only in India and abroad will also get them more motivation and passion to pursue very good research which will help them to get better impact factor general publications.

Moreover, insightful discussions with me every day through lab meetings. OK.

How do you plan to utilize international collaborations to boost the citation metrics and overall impact of your work?

If we look at some of the facilities we have across different other countries, especially in Europe and US, those type of facilities are currently being developed in India. So it may take some time but we will come up with some world class facilities. But by that time if we collaborate with some international collaborators, we can easily get access to these world class facilities which will help us to get some excellent data for our materials when these kind of data will be basically. A part of our.

Some global collaborations, it will help our students in the future to get good postdocs and some good opportunity as assistant professors and professors in some international universities organizations, or they can also become leaders in global industries in the coming days. So it will help us both academically as well as in the industry to save futures of our graduates.

Also been glory to the Institute.

Indeed, Professor. Establishing global collaborations not only provides invaluable opportunities for students but also enhances the reputation of the institution. These partnerships contribute to a cycle of academic excellence, research advancement, and impactful industry contributions. It can position both students and the institution as leaders in their respective fields. Let's continue. Could you now outline how you would implement an active learning model, such as a Flipped Classroom, for a large-enrollment course in Renewable Engineering without relying on traditional slides?

Not relying on traditional things, we can give them some practical applications. For example, if we are currently conducting a class and suddenly the institute is fought by conventional power, but we are not able to get that there is a load shedding and there is a the power cut happens. We are unable to we are going we are have means facing currently shortage of power. But if we had a renewable energy connected to our for example a big solar plant, rooftop solar plant connected to our classroom, the we could have not.

Hmm. Basically if we are uh.

Experience this kind of conditions and our class would have not been halted. So, so this is one of the reason how we can make them understand that what is the need of renewable energy that renewable energy can be.

Help us to prevent this kind of power outages and when conventional power is not available, we can utilize this renewable energy to satisfy our energy. So this is one of the advantages of Reynolds Energy. So this way there are multiple examples which we can take in our daily life to make our students understand what is the need of renewable energy.

That’s an interesting direction, Professor. You've highlighted how coupling practical real-world scenarios, such as power outages and renewable technology integration, can help students grasp the tangible need for renewable energy. Now let me ask: how would you balance teaching these hands-on examples with ensuring students develop a solid grasp of the foundational theories, especially in large classroom settings?