ISHMT SJCET Staff and Student Chapter
ISHMT staff and student chapter was formed as a part of ISHMT Regional Chapter Trivandrum and was inaugurated on 30/03/2019 by Dr S Sunil Kumar, Deputy Director LPSC, and President ISHMT Regional Chapter, Trivandrum. The main purpose and objectives of the Society are:
- To promote the science and technology of heat and mass transfer.
- To provide a common forum for industrialists, technologists, scientists and others to meet and to foster the advancement of the science and applications of heat and mass transfer.
- To disseminate scientific and technical information of interest to the members through publication of periodicals, reports and so on.
- To provide furtherance of professional development of the members including monitory assistance in the participation of conferences in India and abroad.
- To recognize the contribution made by the members in the field of heat and mass transfer research via distributing awards.
Currently this professional society has seven staff members from department of Mechanical Engineering as LIFE members and thirty four student members. This professional Society act as a platform for staff members and students to interact with experts in the field of heat and mass transfer .Staff members and student members get an opportunity to attend the golden jubilee Lecture series organized by ISHMT Trivandrum Regional chapter. Also this professional society provides opportunity for M Tech students members to present their research works in the field of Heat and mass transfer to the experts in this field and compete for best M Tech Thesis awards given by ISHMT Trivandrum Regional chapter. Each year the members who are awarded PhD are felicitated in the annual General body meeting of ISHMT Trivandrum Regional Chapter.
Office bearers includes:
Staff in charge: Mr. Dinu George, Asst. Professor, Mechanical Department.
Student Representatives:

Activities
2024-2025


Space Exhibition
The SPACE Exhibition, organized by the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) of ISRO in association with ISHMT RCT at St. Joseph’s College of Engineering and Technology (SJCET), Palai, provided a unique glimpse into the world of space technology and propulsion systems. This special exhibition showcased the pioneering innovations and advancements fueling India’s space missions. Visitors engaged with models and prototypes of India’s rocket engines, cryogenic systems, and other propulsion technologies. The exhibition emphasized the critical role of propulsion in space exploration, featuring key insights into ISRO’s landmark missions, including Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan, and Mangalyaan. This free event was open to all and held on October 25th and 26th, 2024.

Water Rocket Demonstration
A team lead by Mr. Kiran Mohan, Scientist LPSC conducted an engaging water rocket demonstration, where they explained the working principles of water rockets. They provided live demonstrations, illustrating the science behind thrust and propulsion in a hands-on, interactive way.

AGNI 2024
The One-Day annual colloquium, organized by the Indian Society of Heat and Mass Transfer – Regional Chapter Trivandrum (ISHMT-RCT) in association with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, St. Joseph’s College of Engineering and Technology, Palai, brings together experts, researchers, and students to explore advancements in space and thermal technologies. The colloquium will cover key topics such as:
• Propulsion Systems for Interplanetary Missions
• Human Space-flight Program
• Human Space Program’s Impact on Earthly Health

Dr. V Narayanan, Director LPSC during session : : Propulsion Systems for Interplanetary Missions

Mr. R Hutton, Associate Director LPSC, During Session: Human Space-flight Program

Dr. G. Ayyappan, Former Associate Director, VSSC During Session : Opportunities and Challenges in Space Technology

Dr. Shine S R , Professor, IIST during Session: Human Space Program’s Impact on Earthly Health.
AGNI 2025
ASTRA – AGNI 2025, held from June 12 to 14, 2025, at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST), Thiruvananthapuram, was a landmark national symposium that brought together researchers, students, professionals, and startups in the domains of aerospace and space technology. Organized in collaboration with the Indian Society for Heat and Mass Transfer – Regional Chapter Trivandrum (ISHMT-RCT), the event focused on innovation, collaboration, and the exchange of cutting-edge research


Faculty members & Students of SJCET ME Dept. at ASTRA-AGNI 2025
2023-2024
Five Faculty members, Dr. Rajesh Baby, Mr. Dinu George, Mr. Anoop Lal, Mr. Rajiv Krishnan and Mr. Adarsh Ramachandran from department of Mechanical Engineering, attended One Day Colloquium on Advances in Propulsion and Heat transfer. The event took place on July 7th, 2023, at the Srinivasan Auditorium, VSSC, and was jointly organized by the ISHMT Regional Chapter, Trivandrum (ISHMT-RCT), and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Trivandrum.

Five Faculty members, Dr. Rajesh Baby, Mr. Dinu George, Mr. Anoop Lal, Mr. Rajiv Krishnan and Mr. Adarsh Ramachandran from department of Mechanical Engineering, attended One Day Colloquium on Advances in Propulsion and Heat transfer. The event took place on July 7th, 2023, at the Srinivasan Auditorium, VSSC, and was jointly organized by the ISHMT Regional Chapter, Trivandrum (ISHMT-RCT), and Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Trivandrum.

Dr. Rajesh Baby, Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, SJCET Palai was selected as one of the executive council members of the ISHMT Regional Chapter Trivandrum (ISHMT-RCT) during the Annual General Body Meeting held on April 5th, 2024.

St. Joseph’s College of Engineering and Technology Palai hosted a seminar on April 9th, 2024, focusing on “Advances in Additive Manufacturing for the Creation of Next-Generation Thermal Energy Storage Devices.” The event was organized by the Department of Mechanical Engineering in collaboration with the Indian Society for Heat and Mass Transfer (ISHMT) college chapter. Dr. Sandra Boetcher, a distinguished professor of Mechanical Engineering and College of Engineering Research Fellow at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, United States of America, graced the occasion with her insightful presentation. During her talk, she highlighted various research endeavours undertaken at her university concerning this pertinent subject matter. She delved into the significance of these innovative technologies in shaping our imminent future. Dr. Boetcher expressed her keen interest in fostering collaborative research efforts with St. Joseph’s College of Engineering and Technology in Palai, particularly aimed at aligning with the requirements of various projects in India. The seminar attracted an audience of approximately 400 enthusiastic students.

2022-2023
Technical Talk on “Thermal Management of Electric vehicles
A technical Talk session on “Thermal Management of Electric Vehicles” was organized jointly ISHMT Staff and Student chapter SJCET on 28/04/2023 at SJCET Palai. The session was of one hour duration (12.00 PM to 1 PM) and was handled by Dr Rajesh Baby, Dean Research SJCET Palai. In the session different challenges associated with battery cooling and the latest developments in this field. All ISHMT student members attend the session.
