Nagpur: Prof. (Dr.) Shriram S. Sonawane, a distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur, has been honoured with the “Vidarbha Gaurav Puraskar” by Vidarbha Gaurav Pratishthan for his outstanding contributions to science, technology, and social innovation.
Recognized globally for his groundbreaking research, Dr. Sonawane has consistently featured (2022–2025) in Stanford University’s Top 2% Scientists list, placing him among the world’s most influential scientific minds. His pioneering work in nanotechnology, environmental engineering, process intensification, and wastewater remediation has driven significant advancements in industrial and environmental sustainability.
With a research career spanning 22 years, Dr. Sonawane has authored more than 250 SCI/SCIE papers, achieved an h-index of 49 with over 6,500 citations, and holds 12 patents, several of which have been successfully transferred from laboratory to industry. He has been nominated twice for India’s prestigious Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award (2021, 2022).
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Among his notable innovations is a patented nanotechnology-based wastewater treatment system capable of removing toxic metals like arsenic, lead, and cadmium. Developed with his students, this eco-innovation transforms tur dal husk into a powerful adsorbent, turning “waste into wealth.” The technology has attracted widespread national recognition for its potential in large-scale water purification and metal recovery.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Sonawane’s team also developed a UV sterilizer device that disinfects everyday items—mobiles, groceries, personal belongings—within minutes, exemplifying rapid innovation with societal benefit.
In collaboration with ISRO, Dr. Sonawane and his team designed a hybrid system (Brifcase) that recycles human urine into potable water for astronauts—an innovation applauded for its relevance in future space missions and sustainable living.
A passionate educator, he has mentored 14 Ph.D. scholars, over 12 M.Tech, and 120+ B.Tech students, many of whom now lead in academia and industry. His global footprint includes 116 invited lectures, 7 international books, and 85+ book chapters published with renowned publishers like Elsevier, CRC Press, and Taylor & Francis. He has also led multi-crore research projects funded by DST, SERB, and ISRO.
Dr. Sonawane’s ongoing research in biopolymers, nanocomposites, energy storage, and CFD simulation continues to bridge academia with real-world industry solutions—embodying his philosophy of “Lab to Land.”
“Science has meaning only when it serves society. Every innovation must contribute to human welfare and sustainability,” said Dr. Sonawane during the felicitation ceremony.
The award ceremony, held at Chitnavis Centre, Nagpur, saw attendance from eminent scientists, policymakers, and academicians, all of whom lauded Dr. Sonawane’s visionary leadership and dedication to advancing global research excellence.
