Prof. (Dr.) Chandrakant Sonawane
Also known as: CRSONAWANE
Symbiosis Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Symbiosis International University, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Symbiosis International University Symbiosis Institute of Technology
0000-0002-3408-5060
About
Dr. Chandrakant R. Sonawane is currently working as a Professor (Research Cadre) and Deputy Head at the Symbiosis Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Symbiosis International Deemed University, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Dr. Chandrakant Sonawane has multidisciplinary research expertise in mechanical engineering, thermal engineering, computational fluid dynamics, advanced materials, renewable energy systems, and numerical simulation. His publication portfolio reflects strong contributions in CFD-based modelling, heat transfer enhancement, heat pipes, solar thermal systems, desalination, engine performance, alternative fuels, advanced structural materials, composites, machining optimization, and data-driven engineering analysis.
Previously, he served as a Professor in the Robotics and Automation Engineering Department as well as in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Symbiosis Institute of Technology, SIU, Pune.
He obtained his Ph.D. from the Aerospace Engineering Department at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Mumbai, India, in 2013. His doctoral research focused on steady and unsteady incompressible flow simulations involving static and moving grids.
His current research interests include advanced fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), numerical simulation of incompressible and compressible flows, moving boundary problems, fluid–structure interaction (FSI), and complex heat transfer phenomena.
Dr. Sonawane has successfully completed multiple research projects with a total funding exceeding INR 1.8 crore. He has authored over 130 SCOPUS-indexed publications and holds more than 10 patents.
Core Areas of Expertise
Computational Fluid Dynamics and Numerical Simulation
Expertise in CFD modelling of fluid flow, heat transfer, vortex-induced vibration, helical heat exchangers, hydrocyclone separators, aerospike nozzles, stenosed artery flow, and moving-boundary problems using advanced numerical methods and simulation tools.
Thermal Engineering and Heat Transfer
Research experience in heat pipes, pulsating heat pipes, cryogenic heat pipes, heat exchangers, solar air heaters, thermal desalination, engine cooling, and thermo-fluid systems for energy and industrial applications.
Renewable Energy and Solar Thermal Systems
Work includes solar stills, solar desalination, photovoltaic thermal systems, solar air heaters, portable cold storage, and solar-powered irrigation systems, with emphasis on performance improvement, energy efficiency, and sustainable engineering solutions.
IC Engines Alternative Fuels and Emission Control
Expertise in biodiesel, diesel blends, methanol fuel strategies, post-injection techniques, EGR, engine wear, engine performance, NOx reduction, particulate emissions, and fuel optimization for heavy-duty and military engines.
Advanced Materials Composites and Manufacturing
Research contributions include advanced structural materials, FRP joints, hybrid composites for marine applications, aluminium alloy structural behaviour, roll forming of advanced high-strength steels, EDM optimization, abrasive water jet machining, 3D printing materials, and composite processing.
Materials for Energy Storage and Nanotechnology
Experience includes supercapacitor materials, vanadium oxide nanobelts, metal recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries, TiO₂ nanofluids, ZnO nanofibers, carbon quantum dots, and nanomaterial-assisted engineering applications.
Data Driven Modelling Machine Learning and Optimization
Expertise in machine learning, physics-informed neural networks, relevance vector machines, empirical mode decomposition, Taguchi optimization, regression analysis, response surface methodology, TOPSIS, and data-driven prediction for engineering systems.
His research vision is to leverage CFD and advanced numerical techniques to solve real-world engineering problems for societal benefit and sustainable development.
Employment
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Symbiosis Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Deputy Head2026 - Present
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Symbiosis International University Professor2024 - 2026
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Symbiosis International University Symbiosis Institute of Technology Professor2021 - 2024
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Symbiosis International Deemed University, Symbiosis Institute of Technology Associate Professor2016 - 2021
Education
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Indian Institute of Technology Bombay2008 - 2012
Projects & Funding
Projects & funding information is unavailable.
Publications (153)
- Energy, exergy and exergoeconomic (3E) investigation of SiO 2 improved water–diesel emulsified fuel at variable injection timing and pressure Save
- Thermo-Environmental and Advanced Exergy Assessment of a Cascade Refrigeration System Using Low-GWP Refrigerants Save
- Multi-scale self-supervised ordinal learning for severity grading of photovoltaic defects in electroluminescence images Save
- Investigation on rotating spiral baffles used in the solar air heater: an application of solar simulator Save
- Low frequency oscillation detection in the presence of renewable energy sources using ambient stochastic subspace identification technique Save
- Influence of floral diversity on seasonal foraging behaviour of honeybees (Apis spp.) in the Kashmir Himalayas Save
- Parametric analysis of miniature pulse tube cryocooler regenerators at very high frequencies using REGEN 3.3 Save
- Development and characterization of mineral oil–neem oil ester mixed insulation for transformer applications Save
- Depassivation of aluminium by magnesium addition and mechanical working Save
- Comprehensive review of hydrogen leak detection methods, sensor technologies, and spectroscopic approaches for safe and reliable storage, transmission, and utilization Save