About Prof R Kumar

Prof R Kumar’s leadership has shaped the Department of Chemical Engineering in innumerable ways.

Prof Kumar Life Research R Kumar Fund R Kumar Fund Awards Legacy

Professor R. Kumar’s legacy, marked by his visionary leadership and remarkable contributions, continues to inspire and elevate the Department of Chemical Engineering.

In February 2022, we mourned the loss of Professor R. Kumar, a renowned chemical engineer and Padma Bhushan laureate. Through his visionary leadership and exceptional contributions, he significantly transformed the Department of Chemical Engineering, bestowing upon it the high regard it enjoys today. The Department remains dedicated to perpetuating his esteemed legacy.

Prof R Kumar

cea

His Life

Professor Rajinder Kumar obtained his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Panjab University. In 1956, he joined the Department of Chemical Engineering at IISc on a fellowship awarded by the Government of Punjab, to pursue a PhD under the supervision of Prof. E Weingaertner and Dr. RL Datta. Subsequently, Prof. Kumar joined the department staff as a Junior Research Assistant, in the year 1958. He earned his PhD degree in 1965 by submitting his thesis to Panjab University. Earlier, Prof. Kumar was appointed as a Lecturer in the department in the year 1963. He was promoted to the post of Assistant Professor in 1967 and Professor in 1970. Prof. Kumar served IISc in various administrative roles, including as the Chairman of the Department of Chemical Engineering from 1976-79, the Chairman of the Division of Mechanical Sciences from 1980-83, and the Dean of Engineering from 1990-92. While he retired in 1998, his continued association with the department contributed to the growth of the department in many ways.

Learn More

mission

His Research

Professor R. Kumar revolutionized bubble formation research by enhancing John Davidson’s model, which fell short in industrial applications. Kumar’s two-stage model, visualizing bubble formation and coalescence, provided a comprehensive framework for numerous experimental findings and became highly cited. He also innovatively proposed triangular curved plateau borders for foam bubbles, successfully modeling foam columns and advancing the understanding of industrial bubble dynamics.
Professor R. Kumar’s research on drop breakage and coalescence in turbulent stirred vessels explored the sudden phase inversion phenomenon. He proposed that phase inversion occurs due to a spike in coalescence surpassing breakage. His innovative model described how turbulent forces deform drops, with viscous forces and surface tension initially resisting but ultimately aiding breakage. This simple yet novel model, applicable to various rheologies, successfully predicted breakage frequency and became highly cited in the field.
R. Kumar also worked on superconductors, aiming to use emulsions to create fine particles of components needed to synthesize superconductors, thus avoiding diffusion limitations. Recognizing the necessity for nanoparticles, he used microemulsions as well-stirred reactors, successfully modeling the formation of overbased calcium carbonate nanoparticles. This work led to stochastic modeling of small systems and a productive collaboration with Professor D. Ramkrishna from Purdue University.
Kumar extended his work on calcium carbonate particles to gold nanoparticles, which are widely used in detection and diagnostics. He focused on reducing gold salt with citrate in an aqueous medium, proposing that citrate molecules organize gold atoms as precursors to nucleus formation.

Prof. R Kumar Fund

Professor Kumar championed internationalization as essential for the Department’s advancement, advocating for breakthrough research through global collaboration and diverse expertise. To seize future opportunities, the Department must embrace internationalization and remain agile to adapt to the dynamic professional landscape. The Professor R. Kumar Fund (RKF) was established to support initiatives aligned with his vision, fostering the Department’s aspirations in teaching and research. These efforts aim to enhance international engagement and collaborations, propelling the Department to new heights. Contributions from alumni, faculty, friends, well-wishers, industry, and organizations are warmly invited to support this transformative journey.

Find out more about the Prof R Kumar Fund from the Office of Development and Alumni Affairs

Prof. R Kumar was a faculty of the Department of Chemical Engineering from 1958 till 1995 but contributed to the department well after his retirement.

Prof. R Kumar Fund Awards

Prof. R Kumar Innovative Modelling Award

Prof. R Kumar Award for Innovative Modelling in Chemical Engineering is instituted from 2024 by the support of alumni and well-wishers of Prof. Kumar. The award is adjudged based on modelling work related to all areas of Chemical Engineering and published within 5 years of the year of the award.

Learn more about the call for the Prof. R Kumar Award for Innovative Modelling in Chemical Engineering 2024.

Previous Awardees

Prof R Kumar Distinguished Visitor program

The Prof. R. Kumar Distinguished Visitor Program is dedicated to inviting esteemed chemical engineers to our department, fostering academic excellence and intellectual exchange. Through an array of seminars, lecture series, and short courses on cutting-edge topics, these distinguished visitors engage deeply with both faculty and students, significantly enhancing our department’s research and learning environment.

Visitors

Prof R Kumar Student Travel Award

The Prof. R. Kumar Student Travel Award starting from 2024 is designed to empower our department’s students by facilitating collaborative research endeavors through visits to other laboratories and conferences. This fund also serves to bridge any gaps in travel support provided by the institute, ensuring students can present their research findings at prominent conferences and symposiums.

Travel Award Recipients

whatIsChemE

Legacy of Prof Kumar

Prof. Kumar’s research established new directions in various areas of multiphase phenomena. He was a recognized by several awards, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (1976), the Herdilia Award of Indian Institute of Chemical Engineers (1985), the VASVIK Award (1986), the Alumni Award for Excellence in Research in Engineering from IISc (1991), the FICCI Award (1994), and the Lifetime Achievement Award of the IIChE (2008) for his contributions. He was also a fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the Indian Academy of Sciences, and the Indian National Science Academy. In recognition of Prof. Kumar’s significant contributions and glorious achievements, he was conferred with the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2003. 

Learn More