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Centre for Sustainable Development
Centre for Sustainable Development
About the Centre
The Centre for Sustainable Development (CSD) at Vels Institute of Science, Technology & Advanced Studies (VISTAS) is a forward-thinking initiative committed to advancing knowledge, innovation, and best practices that support a sustainable future. The Centre functions as a multidisciplinary platform that integrates education, research, and community engagement to address critical environmental, social, and economic challenges.
CSD aligns its objectives with the global framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting responsible and impactful solutions in areas such as climate action, resource efficiency, biodiversity conservation, and inclusive development.
Vision
To emerge as a leading centre of excellence in sustainable development by fostering interdisciplinary research, nurturing responsible leadership, and driving meaningful change at local, national, and global levels.
Mission
- To integrate sustainability principles into academic curricula and foster sustainability literacy among students and staff.
- To encourage innovative research addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- To extend sustainability initiatives to local communities through awareness programs, training, and social impact projects.
- To build collaborations with industry, government, NGOs, and international organizations to advance sustainability initiatives.
Key Focus Areas
- Climate Change and Environmental Protection
- Renewable Energy and Clean Technologies
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems
- Water Resource Management
- Urban Sustainability and Smart Cities
- Waste Management and Circular Economy
Future Initiatives
- Undertake cutting-edge research and innovation projects
- Organize training programs, workshops, and awareness campaigns
- Establish collaborations with industries, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations
- Encourage and support student-led sustainability initiatives
- Provide consultancy services and policy recommendations
Our Commitment
The Centre is dedicated to fostering a greener and more equitable future by promoting sustainable practices both within the campus and in the broader community. Through collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning, CSD strives to embed sustainability as a fundamental way of life.
Faculty
| Dr. S. Jerritta | Professor, ECE | 38361760000 | Psycho-physiology, Biomedical Signal and Image processing, Feature Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning , Human Computer Interaction, Robotics | jerritta.se@vistas.ac.in |
| Dr. R. Anandan | Professor, CSE | 55418360900 | Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Vision, Neural Networks, High Performance Computing, Edge and Qunatum Computing, Virtual and Augmented Reality | anandan.se@vistas.ac.in |
| Dr. D. Yuvaraj | Professor, Biotechnology | 57209521682 | Marine Biotechnology; Marine nutraceuticals; Food Science; Environmental Science | yuvarajd.sls@vistas.ac.in |
| Dr. Paneerselvam T | Professor, Pharmacy | 57205143750 | AI-assisted Drug Design, Target Identification, ADMET Studies, Molecular Docking, Molecular Dynamics, Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Studies | panneerselvam.sps@vistas.ac.in |
| Dr. Dheeban Chakravarthi | Professor, Bioengineering | 57212706050 | Algal Biofuels and Biocommodities, Outdoor algal Growth Systems, Algal Harvest, Algal Lipid Extraction, Algal Coproducts/Products, Techno-economic analysis, Solid Waste Management | dheeban.se@vistas.ac.in |
| Dr. R. Murali Raja | Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering | 56378583800 | Electroless coating (Ni-P, Ni-B, Ag-P), Electro coating, Squeeze Casting, Drone Assembly and Piloting | muralimechraja.se@vistas.ac.in |
| Dr. A. Kosiha | Assistant Professor, Chemistry | 57193360315 | Material Chemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, MOFs, Theoretical Calculations (Gaussian), Wastewater Treatment, and Sensing (Anion, Cation, Electrochemical) | kosiha.sbs@vistas.ac.in |
| Dr. S. Baskar | Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering | 57201558954 | Heat Transfer, Energy, Nanotechnology | baskar133.se@vistas.ac.in |
| Dr. V. S. Shai Sundaram | Assistant Professor, Automobile Engineering | 57200366814 | Alternative Fuels, IC Engine, Bio waste Materials, Nano Additives | shaisundaram.se@vistas.ac.in |
| Dr. S. Ramalakshmi | Assistant Professor, Bioengineering | 57573571600 | Bioprocess engineering, Agri-food waste valorisation, Net-zero emission | ramalakshmi.se@vistas.ac.in |
Green Audit Reports
Vision of the Centre
To be the leading University-based research centre providing value-driven and real-world solutions, thereby enabling VISTAS to acquire, manage and execute educationally relevant and economically sound research programs in energy sector
Mission of the Centre
To enable the achievement of excellence, CEAF
- Promotes multidisciplinary research activities focused on the various aspects of energy technology and systems in the form of research, teaching and consultancy.
- Developing strong infrastructural facilities for the interdisciplinary energy research through the externally funded research projects.
- Supports the VISTAS faculties to perform energy related research at par with the global research community.
- Providing training opportunities to the diverse student community under the mentorship of the faculties of the centre.
- Initiating interdisciplinary research in cutting edge energy technologies through the doctoral candidates associated with the centre.
Introduction/Overview of the CEAF
Introduction
According to International energy agency report, India needs a green energy revolution or otherwise it become major source of global CO2 emission. Though, in current scenario, CO2 emission in India (7 %, 2018) stands in third position in comparison to China (28 %, 2018) and America (15 %, 2018), about 80 % of energy produced to meet its day-to-day energy demand is by burning coals, the major source of CO2 emission. Also, keeping in mind the fast growth of Indian economy, there is an urgent need for advanced energy technologies providing rich set of options to address the energy challenges. However, largescale deployment of energy technologies requires continued improvements in cost and performance. Hence, Indian government urges the academic institutions to carry out research and development (R&D) in energy technologies, which can underpin the technology advancement, meeting the India’s green energy revolution. Various top most national and private academic institutes set-up research centres as well as interdisciplinary departments to promote R&D activities on energy technologies.
Overview of CEAF
Centre for Energy and Alternative Fuels (CEAF) has been established in Feb’ 2017 at VISTAS to promote multidisciplinary activities focused on various aspects of energy technology and systems in the form of research, teaching and consultancy. As the budding research center, the present research activities in the center are in the form of projects-based research funded by various national funding agencies and Industries. By looking into the potential and application of different energy resources from the southern region of India, it is emphasized that the center gives priority to activities in the field of energy storage systems such as batteries and supercapacitors, microbial fuel cells, bio-sensors, alternative fuels and the efficiency studies of the energy systems etc.
List of the Project Completed, Ongoing and Submitted (In last 5 years)
Completed Projects: 04
Ongoing Project: 01
Submitted Projects: 05
List of Projects
| S.No. | Name of PI | Title of the Project | Name of the Funding Agency | Department | Amount sanctioned (INR in Lakhs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dr. R.A. Kalaivani | Synthesis and characterization of graphene by chemical and electrochemical methods – 2013 / 3 years | DMSRDE, DRDO | CEAF | 9.8 |
| 2. | Dr. R.A. Kalaivani | Design, development and prototype production of magnesium water activated battery for MAV applications – 2014 /2 years | ARDB, DRDO | CEAF | 10.0 |
| 3. | Dr. S. Raghu Dr. R.A. Kalaivani | Synthesis and characterization of carbon nanosheets from hemp fiber and its application in supercapacitors – 2016 /1.5 years | BOHECO, Mumbai | CEAF | 14.5 |
| 4. | Dr. S. Raghu | Studies on sodium-ion storage mechanism in amorphous carbon (hard & soft) materials – 2017 / 3 years | DST-SERB | CEAF | 28.02 |
| 5. | Dr. S. Raghu Dr. R.A. Kalaivani | Development of high energy and high power density fuel cell supercapacitors – 2017 /2 years | DST-MES’2017 | CEAF | 66.80 |
| 6. | Dr. A.M. Shanmugharaj Dr. S. Raghu Dr. R.A. Kalaivani | Novel self-healing polymers for the development of high energy density, long cycle life batteries – 2019 / 1 year | NRB, New Delhi | CEAF | 6.5 |
| 7. | Dr. A. M. Shanmugharaj Dr. R. A. Kalaivani | Mitigating Dendrite Growth Using Engineered Electrolyte Layers for the Development of High Energy Density, Long Cycle Life Lithium Batteries – 2018 / 4 years | Materials for Energy Storage (MES), DST, New Delhi | CEAF | 64.63 |
| 8. | Dr. S. Senthilvelan, IIT Guwahati (PI) Dr. R. A. Kalaivani, (Co-PI) | Manufacturing Solutions for the Preparation of Siddha Medicines (Traditional Medicines Originated from Tami Nadu) – 2019 / 1 year | MHRD – IMPRINT | CEAF | 115.97 |
| S.No. | Name of PI | Title of the Project | Name of the Funding Agency | Department | Amount sanctioned (INR in Lakhs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dr. A. Padmapriya | Development of Topical Cream using Biomass Waste – 2022 / 1 year | EDII, Department of MSME, Govt. of Tamil Nadu | CEAF | 3.00 |
| 2. | Dr. R. A. Kalaivani | Production of clean hydrogen fuel through microwave-assisted catalytic conversion of marine waste plastics – 2022 / 1 year | EDII, Department of MSME, Govt. of Tamil Nadu | CEAF | 2.00 |
| S.No. | Name of PI | Title of the Project | Name of the Funding Agency | Department | Amount sanctioned (INR in Lakhs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Dr. R.A. Kalaivani | Metal Organic Ionogels As Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier - 2024 | DST/C3E/HFC-2023/2024/29 | CEAF | 100.00 |
| S. No. | Name of the scheme/project/ endowment/chair | Name of the principal investigator/co-investigator (If any) | Name of the funding agency | Department | Funds Quoted (in lakhs) | Duration of the project |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Surface engineered 2D silicon nanosheets as high performance anode materials for lithium batteries | A. M. Shanmugharaj | DST Nanomission | CEAF | 77.6 | 3 Years |
| 2. | Development of self-rechargeable sodium-ion battery based on inorganic nanotubes with unique light assisted sodiation process and electrostrictive solid polymer electrolyte | A. M. Shanmugharaj | DST (Indo-Israel) | CEAF | 43.5 | 2 Years |
| 3. | Engineered electrode and electrolyte for the development of high power and high energy density dual ion batteries with long cycle life | A. M. Shanmugharaj | DST (Indo-Korea) | CEAF | 47.0 | 3 Years |
| 4. | MXenes based high performance electrode material for solid state flexible micro-supercapacitor | RA. Kalaivani S. Raghu | CPRI | CEAF | 48.0 | 3 Years |
Publication Details
- Eminent scholars of CEAF research team published several peer reviewed journal papers in various internationally recognized journals (SCI/SCI-E/WOS). In addition, team has also published papers in the journals listed in UGC care list.
- Master’s and doctoral candidates, who are doing their Ph. D under the guidance of Centre’s faculty presented their research outcomes in various international and national conferences as listed in the Table.
- Faculties of the centre also made chapter contributions in various edited books and they are appended in the Table below.
Total number of publications (Including all): 85
Journal Papers: 50
Book chapters: 4
International and National Conferences: 35
Sustainable Literacy
Sustainability literacy encompasses the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values that enable individuals to recognize the interdependence of environmental, social, economic, and governance systems, and to make informed, responsible decisions that contribute to long-term sustainability and the well-being of present and future generations.
At VISTAS, Sustainability forms a very concept and VISTAS aims to create awareness and knowledge about Sustainable Development among the Stakeholders of the University. At Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, sustainability literacy is systematically assessed through a comprehensive literacy test designed to evaluate the understanding and awareness of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among both students and staff.
Key Concept
At Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, sustainability literacy is built upon key competencies that enable individuals to engage with sustainability issues holistically. These include environmental awareness, which involves knowledge of ecosystems, biodiversity, pollution, and climate change; social responsibility, which emphasizes understanding equality, human rights, and community well-being; and economic understanding, which focuses on responsible consumption, sustainable growth, and effective resource management. In addition, critical thinking and problem-solving skills are developed to empower individuals to analyze sustainability challenges and propose practical, real-world solutions.
To enhance accuracy and contextual relevance, the literacy test is structured into two distinct formats—one tailored for students and another for university staff. This differentiated approach enables the institution to effectively measure sustainability awareness across diverse groups and identify specific areas for improvement.
The outcomes of the test are utilized to design targeted training programs, awareness initiatives, and curriculum enhancements, thereby strengthening sustainability integration across the institution.
At Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, sustainability literacy among staff is evaluated through structured questionnaires and dedicated workshops. These assessments focus on understanding core sustainability concepts, awareness of institutional and global sustainability policies, and the extent to which sustainability is integrated into professional roles. Faculty members are encouraged to incorporate sustainability principles into their curriculum, while administrative and support staff participate in targeted sustainability training programmes.
At Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, sustainability literacy among students is assessed through a structured test developed by the institution’s Sustainability Committee. The test encompasses all key sustainability pillars and is supported by a comprehensive question bank to ensure varied and unbiased assessment for each student. It is integrated into the institution’s digital learning platform, where students are required to complete the assessment as part of their sustainability-related coursework.
Evaluation
At Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies, this data is further utilized to track progress and assess the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives, supporting continuous improvement and the ongoing enhancement of sustainability programs.
Instrument facilities
Centre is well-equipped with basic infrastructural facilities for carrying out research works related energy storage applications as listed below. However, continuous research efforts are being made in equipping the CEAF with instruments necessary for thrust areas of the research.
- CEAF is equipped with glove box, which is a prerequisite battery research.
- Glove box (Model number Lab 2000) is procured from Etelux.
- CEAF is equipped with Neware battery analyzer (~100 channels)
- Electrochemical characterizations of coin cell batteries; supercapacitors; cylindrical cells can be done using the equipment
- CEAF is furnished with Biologic electrochemical workstation (BP 300), which can be used for basic electrochemical studies of batteries and supercapacitors.
