Breaking Barriers at Microscale | Dr. Suman Chakraborty | TEDxKIITUniversity
Dr. Suman Chakraborty is a world-renowned mechanical engineer and research leader who stands at the forefront of microfluidics and nanofluidics innovation. As a distinguished professor at IIT Kharagpur and Dean of Research and Development, he bridges the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and practical healthcare solutions that can transform lives globally.
His expertise lies in manipulating fluids at microscopic scales - a field that has profound implications for medical diagnostics, drug delivery, and biotechnology. Dr. Chakraborty's most impactful contribution has been translating complex fluid dynamics principles into affordable, accessible healthcare technologies. His development of COVIRAP (COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Point-of-care) represents a paradigm shift in pandemic diagnostics, providing rapid, cost-effective testing solutions that can reach underserved populations.
His pioneering work in lab-on-a-chip diagnostics miniaturizes entire laboratory processes onto single chips, enabling sophisticated medical tests to be performed anywhere - from rural clinics to home settings. This democratization of advanced diagnostics has the potential to revolutionize healthcare delivery, particularly in resource-constrained environments.
The scientific community has recognized his exceptional contributions through the most prestigious honors in Indian science, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (India's highest science award) and the Infosys Prize. His international recognition includes fellowships from the American Physical Society (APS), Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), along with the UNESCO TWAS Award in Engineering and Computer Sciences (2026). Dr. Suman Chakraborty, a distinguished professor of Mechanical Engineering and the Dean of Research and Development at IIT Kharagpur, is a pioneering figure in microfluidics and nanofluidics. His groundbreaking innovations, particularly in developing affordable healthcare technologies like COVIRAP and lab-on-a-chip diagnostics, have significantly advanced medical accessibility and diagnostics.
Recognized for his exceptional contributions to science and technology, Dr. Suman Chakraborty has been honored with prestigious awards, including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, the Infosys Prize, and esteemed fellowships from the APS, RSC, and ASME, along with the UNESCO TWAS Award in Engineering and Computer Sciences (2026). This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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