7th International Conference on Processing and Characterisation of Materials (ICPCM 2025) Inaugurated at NIT Rourkela

The 7th International Conference on Processing and Characterisation of Materials (ICPCM 2025) was inaugurated today at the TIIR Auditorium, NIT Rourkela, marking the formal opening of a two-day global gathering of researchers, industry experts, and academicians in the field of materials science and engineering. Commencing the inaugural session, Prof. Syed Nasimul Alam (Convener of the event), delivered the opening remarks and said, “Organised by the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, the conference is being held on 12–13 December 2025 and represents the 15th edition of the ICPCM series, which has been hosted annually since 2011.” Prof. Ashok Kumar Turuk (Dean, Academics, NIT Rourkela) spoke about the institute’s commitment to research excellence and its role in strengthening academia-industry linkages. Prof. Debasis Chaira, Head of the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department, addressed the gathering and said that the department aspires to be a global hub of excellence in the teaching of technological aspects and avenues. The session featured keynote addresses from the Guests of Honour. Shri Alok Verma, Director-in-Charge of SAIL-Rourkela Steel Plant, shared insights from the steel industry and emphasised the importance of research-driven innovation. Another Guest of Honour, Prof. Rajesh Prasad from IIT Delhi, said that this kind of conference provides a platform for global research and facilitates practical technological applications in advanced materials research. Chief Guest, Prof. Lukas Bichler from the University of British Columbia, Canada, expressed his happiness to be part of ICPCM 2025 and acknowledged his long-standing academic collaborations with India. He elaborated on the work of his research group on aluminium–ferrous alloys and composites, concluding with his latest research on carbon-based materials. Addressing the students, he encouraged them to keep asking questions and nurture scientific curiosity. This year’s conference has drawn around 60 participants from across the world, including presenters, researchers, and delegates from academia, R&D laboratories, and industry. Speakers and contributors represent leading institutions such as the University of Leoben (Austria), the University of British Columbia (Canada), multiple IITs and NITs, VIT-AP University, and the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Hyderabad, etc. The event included Industry participation with experts from TATA Steel, Adani New Industries Limited (ANIL), and other sectors contributing to the discussions on industrial applications of advanced materials. ICPCM 2025 provides a platform for the presentation of cutting-edge research spanning mineral beneficiation, non-ferrous metals, advanced steels, composites, additive manufacturing, high-entropy alloys, smart materials, corrosion and surface engineering, materials for energy storage, and AI/ML applications in materials engineering. The event includes oral and poster presentations, interactive sessions, and the much-anticipated metallography contest.