Innovation Ecosystem

Led by faculty who have won international recognition for their research projects, the Department of Applied Mechanics aspires to solve challenging engineering and medical problems using basic science with special focus on Biomedical Signal Processing, Haptics and Biophotonics.

Recognising the field’s increasing scope, the Department of Biotechnology actively collaborates with industries, healthcare institutions and healthcare technology innovation centres. It has one of the most cutting-edge biotechnology research labs in Chennai. On a quest to solve environmental problems and find ways to feed an ever-growing population, it focuses its research on Medical Biotechnology, Chemical Biology, Computational Biology and Bioprocessing.

With a history of industry collaboration that includes the likes of BHEL, GAIL and TATA, the Department of Chemical Engineering is led by talent from diverse fields. Its research areas of interest include Nanotechnology, Reducing CO2 Emissions and Materials.

Endowed with state-of-the-art infrastructure and technology, the Department of Chemistry has been recognised as the best in the country. Several of its faculty were instrumental in setting up research centers across the country and leading various cutting-edge research projects. Luminescent and Magnetic Materials are two areas of its research focus.

Hailed as one of the world’s best, the Department of Civil Engineering in IIT Madras is led by faculty that actively participate in high-end research and industrial projects. It has consulted on and received sponsorship for several research projects.

With a vibrant student body, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering has had its research funded by India’s Defence Department, Google, Microsoft and Amazon. Intelligent Systems and Human-Computer Interaction are some of its focus areas of research.

Led by accomplished faculty, the Department of Electrical Engineering has been instrumental in the development of several state-of-the-art projects. Housing fabrication, calibration and testing facilities, the Department focuses on research areas like Signal Processing, Power Engineering and Photonics.

Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for everything from prototyping to Mechatronics, the Department of Engineering Design lays a strong focus on multidisciplinary background and aesthetics. Robotics, Remote Sensing and Pneumatics are some areas of its research focus.

With a broad focus of study that covers everything from Development Studies and International Relations to English Studies, the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences is known for its state-of-the-art facilities, and diverse and experienced faculty.

With a record of active international collaboration with universities from across the world, the Department of Management Studies of IIT Madras has some of the best teachers in the country. Besides making significant contributions to global research, they have received prestigious fellowships like the DAAD.

Offering doctoral research programmes, the Department of Mathematics is led by some of the country’s most well-renowned professors. Its research areas of focus include Algebra, Number Theory, Topology and Statistics.

Evolving with technological advancements across India and the world, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras is the largest in Asia. Energy Science, Micro-Nano and Bio Sciences and Engineering are some of its areas of research focus.

With a diverse faculty actively engaged in research areas ranging from conventional topics to material science, the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering also offers a programme on Industrial Metallurgy for the benefit of industry and R&D centers personnel. Surface Engineering and Materials Joining are some of its focus research areas.

Comprising of highly specialised faculty and state-of-the-art facilities, IIT Madras’s Department of Ocean Engineering has made invaluable contributions to R&D in Ocean Engineering with national relevance. Its areas of research focus include Wave Hydrodynamics and Coastal Processes, Ocean Energy and Marine Geotechniques.

With eminent faculty in the lead, the Department of Physics at IIT Madras actively connects with universities and industries across the country. Its research areas of focus include everything from Applied Optics to X-ray Crystallography.