Providence College of Engineering's department of science and humanities organized and hosted a three-day national conference on nanomaterials - NANOPHILIA - from 25th August 2022.
The conference was inaugurated virtually by Prof. Sabu Thomas, Vice-Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi University. During the inaugural session the conference proceedings was released by Providence chairperson Mrs. Mariamma George Mathew and handed over to Dr. Soney C George, Dean (Research) of Amal Jyothi College of Engineering. On the first day of the conference one keynote speech and three invited talks were delivered by experts in nanoscience. About 60 participants, comprising mostly of research scholars attended the conference on the first day. 23 % of the participants were from out of the state especially from Sardar Patel University, Gujarat and Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu. An emerging bioplastic industry Varsya Ecoproducts took the opportunity to exhibit their products at the conference.
The second day resumed with three invited talks followed by parallel oral and poster competitions. Fifty participants including post graduate students from various educational institutions attended the event on the same day. The visitors were treated to a one-hour cultural program by Providence's trainee engineers.
The third day of NANOPHILIA witnessed invited talks by three experts in the field, as well a continuation of oral presentations from the previous day.
The interactions of scientists and academics with the participants were highly effective throughout the event.
During the valedictory function, best oral and poster awards were given to the selected delegates. The valedictory function was presided over by chief guest Dr. Jacob Chandy, Principal, Bishop Moore College, Mavelikara, Kerala.
A post-conference boat ride was arranged for participants from outside Kerala who got a chance to experience the beauty of "God's own country".
Further to the encouragement of the Kerala government and the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU), Providence College of Engineering has successfully designed a working prototype of its acclaimed low cost portable oxygen concentrator.
Christened as PROXYCON, the first unit was handed over to Smt. Veena George, Kerala State Minister of Health, in a brief ceremony at her office in Thiruvananthapuram.
The unit was handed over in the presence of KTU vice-chancellor, Dr. Rajasree MS, by college principal Dr. Santhosh Simon and executive director, Mr. Nitin Mathew, along with KTU IAC Coordinator, Mr. Arun Alex.
PROXYCON is the first technology transfer case under the auspices of KTU and since inception of the project, over a dozen institutions and companies have shown interest in developing it further.
The vice-chancellor and principal provided the minister with a briefing of the technology transfer initiative as well as the design and functionality of PROXYCON.
The design and development was spurred by the encouragement and interest shown by the government.
Providence is committed to be part of long term solutions for society and deeply grateful to additional chief secretary, Shri TK Jose, for his encouragement and initiative.
The device has garnered a lot of attention from far and wide and Providence is working with various entities in the government, semi-government and private sectors to implement schemes to make this easily available to the wider public.
Addressing a pressing concern of the Central Hatchery at Chengannur, Providence College of Engineering designed and implemented PROSENSE, a smart humidity and temperature monitoring and alert system.
PROSENSE will sense changes in humidity and temperature in the hatching chambers and alert officers via SMS so that they can take remedial action. The system is also supported by a built-in power back up system to guard against potential power failures and can continue functioning for several hours in such a situation.
Principal, Dr. Santhosh Simon, and assistant professor Mr. Ajith Prasad from the department of electronics and communication engineering designed and implemented the system.
The system was installed in the presence of senior hatchery officials and joined by Providence dean of innovation, Dr. Venu Pillai and dean of research, Dr. V John Kurian.
Providence continues to work with local bodies and the state government to identify and tackle challenges that hinder progress.
Addressing a pressing concern of the Central Hatchery at Chengannur, Providence College of Engineering designed and implemented PROSENSE, a smart humidity and temperature monitoring and alert system.
PROSENSE will sense changes in humidity and temperature in the hatching chambers and alert officers via SMS so that they can take remedial action. The system is also supported by a built-in power back up system to guard against potential power failures and can continue functioning for several hours in such a situation.
Principal, Dr. Santhosh Simon, and assistant professor Mr. Ajith Prasad from the department of electronics and communication engineering designed and implemented the system.
The system was installed in the presence of senior hatchery officials and joined by Providence dean of innovation, Dr. Venu Pillai and dean of research, Dr. V John Kurian.
Providence continues to work with local bodies and the state government to identify and tackle challenges that hinder progress.
Given the need of the hour across the nation, Providence College of Engineering has designed a low cost portable oxygen concentrator that can be assembled using readily available parts and using simple technology.
Principal, Dr. Santhosh Simon, the brains behind the project developed this as the nation veers on the brink of acute oxygen shortage. Given that large scale manufacture and distribution of oxygen concentrators may take time to reach those in need, Dr. Simon developed a design that can be assembled easily by anyone with easily available parts and some simple technical skills.
On being made aware of this, Kerala Additional Chief Secretary Shri TK Jose immediately sprung into action and convened an online meeting of principals of colleges across the state, along with representatives from various government departments, the APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University and the Kerala Startup Mission. The meeting was an opportunity for Dr. Simon to present the concept.
At Shri Jose' recommendation, Dr. Vineesh Panicker (District Deputy Medical Officer, Alappuzha), Mrs. Jino Punnoose (Tehsildar, Chengannur), Er. Kannan M (Technical Officer, Directorate of Technical Education) and Mr. Jyothish (Biomedical Engineer, Kerala Health Service) visited the Providence campus to inspect the device.
The device has garnered a lot of attention from far and wide and Providence is working with various entities in the government, semi-government and private sectors to implement schemes to make this easily available to the wider public.
