R&D Knowledge Sharing Session on a technical talk titled ‘Acoustic Metamaterial’ & ‘Particle Size Reduction using Cryogenics’

The Department of Mechanical Engineering held its monthly Knowledge Sharing Session, under the R&D cell on July 31, 2021 from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm. The first session was taken by Prof. Chetan Gaonkar on Recent Trends while Prof. Mayur Shetti presented a technical paper in the second session.

Prof. Chetan Gaonkar presented a technical talk titled ‘Acoustic Metamaterial’. He began by discussing the principle of noise control and existing control strategies at source, path and receiver. Further, he also briefed on the traditional acoustic materials used as enclosures, barriers and absorbers and the performance indicator metrics. Acoustic metamaterials were discussed giving a historical background and the membrane type acoustic metamaterials, its arrangement and response were elaborated in detail. Prof. Chetan concluded by saying that “such acoustic metamaterials can be used as filters, low frequency noise reduction, sound proofing and as acoustic reflectors.”

Prof. Mayur Shetti presented a technical paper on ‘Particle Size Reduction using Cryogenics’. He began by highlighting the motivation behind the project where in use of conventional systems for grinding rubber would degrade its structure and property for recycling. Thus grinding of rubber at cryogenic temperatures that would maintain the chemical integrity of rubber was investigated. Prof. Mayur shared his works in developing a lab scale cryogenic grinding system for rubbers. He also presented his work in studying the particle size distribution for rubbers and explained the discrete element method used to model the grinding. Lastly, Prof. Mayur said that “cryogenic grinding can be exploited for spices such as black pepper.”

The session was attended by teaching and technical support staff from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and coordinated by Prof. Mayur Shetti.