Overview

A Multidisciplinary Centre for Water Innovation

Our Centre of Excellence in Water Research (CEWR) is a multidisciplinary platform committed to advancing the understanding, management, and sustainable use of water resources. We address critical global challenges — water scarcity, quality, and equitable access — through rigorous research, technological innovation, and meaningful community engagement.

At CEWR, we focus on developing advanced water purification materials, including membranes and absorbents, while undertaking pioneering research in wastewater treatment, conservation, and integrated resource management. We translate scientific insights into practical, scalable technologies that strengthen sustainability and resilience. 

We also nurture future talent through education, specialised training, internships, and fellowships, while fostering strong collaborations with academic institutions, government agencies, industry partners, and international organisations to build a connected global network of water researchers.

Through competitive research funding, scholarly publications, patents, consultancy, and technology commercialisation, we deliver measurable impact and support entrepreneurship in the water sector. Our strong emphasis on outreach and advocacy enables us to engage policymakers, communities, and the public through awareness initiatives and evidence-based dialogue.

Our Mission

We aim to be a global leader in advancing sustainable water solutions that preserve ecosystems, enhance human health, and ensure equitable access to clean water for all.

Guided by Our Mission

We strive to conduct cutting-edge research that explores innovative approaches to water conservation, purification, sustainable management, and advanced treatment technologies. Strategic collaborations with universities, research institutions, industry leaders, and government organisations enable the exchange of knowledge and the advancement of impactful solutions.

The Centre is committed to developing innovative and scalable approaches that can be implemented at local, national, and global levels, while addressing critical challenges such as water scarcity, pollution, and climate change. Through these efforts, we work to enhance water availability, improve quality, and promote long-term sustainability — especially for communities most vulnerable to water crises.

Objectives

Our Strategic Objectives

Develop advanced water purification materials and innovative technologies that strengthen sustainability and resilience.

Design and implement cutting-edge methodologies for improved water treatment and resource management.

Offer educational programs, workshops, seminars, internships, and certificate courses for students, researchers, and professionals.

Build strong collaborations with academic institutions, government agencies, industry partners, and international organisations to promote interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange.

Engage with communities to understand water-related challenges and co-create practical, locally relevant solutions.

Focus and Thrust Areas

Areas of Impact

  • Water Quality Monitoring and Management
  • Sustainable Water Resource Management
  • Water–Energy Nexus
  • Smart Water Infrastructure and Technologies
  • Community Engagement and Policy Development
  • Membrane Preparation and Characterisation
Team Members

The Minds Behind the Centre

Prof (Dr) Chitrakara Hegde

Associate Director

Dr Yogesh Kumar K

Chemical Science Expert

Dr Murgayya S Basavankattimath

Applied Engineering Expert

Dr Tejaswini M L

Sustainable Materials Expert

Dr Vijay Bahadur

Organic Synthesis Expert

AnnMariya Joseph

PhD Research Scholar

COE-water Researchers

Sheethal

Infrastructure and Facilities

Facilities Supporting Science, Testing, and Scale-Up

Our Centre houses advanced research laboratories equipped for water quality analysis, membrane fabrication, nanomaterial synthesis, and wastewater treatment studies.

Key Equipment
  • UV-Vis Spectrophotometer
  • Salinity Checking Unit
  • Rotavapor
  • DCMD System
  • Laminar Airflow Unit
  • Schlenk Line
  • Water Chemistry Lab, Environmental Engineering Lab, and Materials Development Lab
  • Pilot-scale testing units for desalination and wastewater treatment technologies
  • Membrane and material fabrication facility with clean-room environments
  • Analytical and characterisation instruments including spectrophotometers, chromatographs, and surface analysers
  • Training and education spaces for workshops and certification programs
  • Collaboration and innovation hub for interdisciplinary research and entrepreneurship
  • Community outreach and demonstration units promoting conservation practices
  • Sustainable infrastructure such as greywater recycling and green landscaping serving as living models of water management
Industry and Government Partnerships
Collaborating With Industry and Government Leaders

We partner with Deeptech Filtration Pvt Ltd and other stakeholders to translate research into deployable solutions while strengthening innovation across academia, industry, and policy ecosystems.

Recognitions and Accreditation

Recognition That Reflects Research Excellence

We are recognised by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Government of India, and accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). These recognitions affirm our commitment to maintaining rigorous scientific standards, credible testing practices, and research excellence aligned with national and international benchmarks.

Courses and Certifications Offered

Curriculum and Certifications

Our academic and certification offerings are designed to build strong foundations in water science while equipping learners with practical knowledge and specialised technical skills. Through a combination of coursework, independent study, and focused certification programs, we support students and professionals in developing expertise relevant to contemporary challenges in water research and environmental sustainability.

CoE-Supported Courses

  • Water Chemistry and Membrane Technologies
  • Beginner’s Forensic Science
  • Course Independent Study (CIS)

Certification Programs

  • Two-Month Certificate Course in Forensic Chemistry
  • One-Month Certificate Course in Water Chemistry and Purification

Internships and Live Projects

Experiential Learning in Action

Our internship and project opportunities provide students with hands-on exposure to real-world challenges in water science and engineering. Designed for BTech, BSc, and MSc students, these experiences integrate laboratory research with practical problem-solving and enable participants to apply theoretical knowledge to develop sustainable technologies.

Projects

  • Synthesis and design of composite polymer membranes for solar-assisted membrane distillation of seawater
  • Development of colour-based chemosensors and nanofiltration membranes for detecting and removing metal ions from contaminated water
Corporate Training and Executive Education

Upskilling Industry for Sustainable Water Management

Our corporate training and executive education programs are designed to strengthen technical capability and strategic decision-making across the water sector. We work closely with industry professionals, infrastructure managers, and policymakers to deliver practice-oriented learning that addresses operational efficiency, sustainability, regulatory compliance, and long-term resilience.

  • Smart water systems and digital monitoring
  • Water infrastructure asset management
  • Advanced water and wastewater treatment technologies
  • Industrial water efficiency and Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD)
  • Energy optimisation in treatment plants
  • Water quality monitoring and sensor technologies
  • Climate resilience and water security planning
  • Industry 4.0 applications in the water sector
  • Innovation management and research translation
Research Projects

Translating Research into Sustainable Impact

Our research initiatives focus on developing practical, science-driven solutions to address emerging challenges in water quality, treatment, and sustainability. Through a combination of ongoing investigations and completed studies, we continue to advance technologies that enhance purification efficiency, resource management, and environmental resilience.

Ongoing Projects
  • Emerging microplastics in water systems
  • Hollow fibre membranes for water purification
  • Composite polymer membranes for solar-assisted desalination
  • Chemosensor-based nanofiltration for metal-ion removal
Consultancy and Testing Services

From Evaluation to Implementation

We provide specialised consultancy and testing services that support industries, municipalities, institutions, and community organisations in addressing complex water-related challenges.

  • Water Quality Testing and Certification: Comprehensive analysis of drinking water, industrial effluents, and wastewater across physical, chemical, and biological parameters, with certified reports aligned to national and international standards.
  • Membrane and Material Performance Evaluation: Specialised testing of filtration membranes, absorbents, and purification materials to assess efficiency, durability, and scalability in real-world applications.
  • Wastewater Treatment Solutions: Consultancy for designing, optimising, and monitoring treatment plants, including pilot-scale testing and performance audits.
  • Hydrological and Resource Management Studies: Expert guidance on groundwater assessment, surface water management, rainwater harvesting, and integrated water resource planning tailored to regional needs.
  • Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Scientific evaluation of water-related environmental impacts for infrastructure, industrial, and urban projects, with recommendations for sustainable practices.
  • Community and NGO Support Services: Testing and advisory services for community-based organisations and rural initiatives to ensure safe drinking water, sanitation, and conservation practices.
Publications and Patents

Scientific Inquiry, Documented and Patented

Our centre has produced peer-reviewed publications across leading journals and secured patents including a membrane distillation unit and a multifunctional wireless solar-powered device, reflecting its commitment to translational innovation.

Publications
  • Surendhar S, Peter X T, Sivaprakash P, et al (2025). Shock wave-driven phase transition of iron sulphide for enhanced photocatalytic application: A combined experimental and DFT approach. RSC Advances, 15, 22432–22448.
  • Surendhar S, Kim I, Sivaprakash P, et al (2025). Sustainability of Fluorine–Tin Co-Doped Indium Oxide (F,Sn:In₂O₃) nanocrystals under dynamic shocked conditions. National Academy Science Letters.
  • Hegde C, Pathak C (2023). Synthesis, characterisation and eco-friendly applications of biodegradable polycaprolactone–tapioca starch polymeric composite membrane. Asian Journal of Chemistry, 36(1), 18–24.
  • Hegde C, Pathak C (2023). Forensic chemistry of fingerprints and illicit substances: A short review. Rasayan Journal of Chemistry, 16, 2218–2228.
  • Hegde C, Naik S C, Lammata A K (2024). Digital forensics for safeguarding intellectual property rights: A study in the context of Indian IPR laws. Journal of Intellectual Property Rights, 29, 500–506.
  • Hegde C, et al (2025). Review on forensic analysis of biofluids using spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic techniques. Forensic Science International, 367, 112343.
  • Hegde C, Rao S A, Joseph A M, Surendhar S (2026). Membrane materials for electromagnetic shielding – A mini review. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 350, 131866.
  • Talreja N, Hegde C, Kumar E M, Chavali M. Emerging environmental contaminants: Sources, consequences, and future challenges. In Green Technologies for Industrial Contaminants, pp 119–149.
  • Membrane Distillation Unit – Indian Patent filed, 2023.
  • A Multifunctional Wireless Solar Data Storage Portable Power Bank.
  • Varashree H A (BTech) – Presented at ADCIS 2025, Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru (15 September 2025).
    Topic: Investigating forensic digital evidence from mobile and portable devices using Autopsy.
  • Anushree S R (BSc) – Presented at ICSMET 2025, Alliance University (24–26 July 2025).
    Topic: Synthesis of polysulfone-based membranes by DIPS technique and salt rejection analysis.
  • Anushka Ravikumar (BSc, Second Year) – Presented at ICSMET 2025, Alliance University (24–26 July 2025).
    Topic: Preparation, characterisation, and performance study of CA–PTFE–SF membranes.
  • Strategic Research Interaction: Meeting with Dr Ravindra Vikram Singh, Director and Head – R&D, Technology and Innovation, Merck India (5 June 2025), strengthening industry–academia collaboration.

 

Experiential Learning, Research, and Innovation Opportunities

Exploration to Application

Research Internships

We offer year-round research internship opportunities for BTech, BSc, and MSc graduates, as well as for industrial fellows, research scholars, and forensic experts. These internships provide structured exposure to advanced laboratory practices, experimental design, data analysis, and technology development in water science and engineering. 

Our participants work alongside faculty and research teams, gaining practical insight into real-world challenges and contributing to ongoing research initiatives.

The Centre provides extensive opportunities for students and researchers to undertake projects and thesis work across diverse domains of water science and engineering. Areas include water purification, wastewater treatment, hydrological modelling, material development, and conservation strategies. Through access to advanced laboratories, specialised facilities, and expert mentorship, participants engage in rigorous, hands-on research.

By fostering collaborations with industry and international institutions, we enable scholars to address real-world challenges, generate high-quality publications and patents, and contribute to meaningful technological innovation. These experiences strengthen academic and professional growth while advancing sustainable water management practices.

We offer research fellowships to eligible candidates pursuing full-time research in water science and engineering. In addition, opportunities are available to serve as research assistants to postdoctoral fellows and research faculty. These roles allow scholars to deepen their research capabilities, gain advanced exposure to specialised methodologies, and contribute meaningfully to ongoing projects and technological developments.

Our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) programs and hackathons create dynamic platforms for students to explore innovative ideas and develop practical solutions to pressing water challenges. These initiatives encourage problem-solving, interdisciplinary teamwork, and creative thinking while strengthening technical and entrepreneurial skills. 

Participants actively engage in research-driven innovation and prototype development aligned with sustainability goals.

Start-up and Incubation Support

From Research to Innovation-Led Entrepreneurship

We provide incubation support to enable water-tech, clean-tech, and sustainability start-ups to translate research into scalable solutions.

  • Access to advanced laboratories, pilot plants, and testing facilities
  • Technical mentoring by domain experts, researchers, and industry professionals
  • Support for proof-of-concept (PoC) and prototype development
  • Assistance in technology validation, field trials, and scale-up
  • Intellectual Property (IP) support including patents, licensing, and technology transfer
  • Guidance on regulatory approvals and water-sector compliance
  • Business mentoring, including market analysis and go-to-market strategy
  • Facilitation of industry partnerships and pilot deployments
  • Support for grant applications, government schemes, and CSR funding
  • Access to venture capital, angel investors, and impact investors
  • Entrepreneurship training for students, researchers, and professionals
  • Support for social enterprises and community-focused water solutions
  • Networking platforms, demo days, and start-up showcase events
Gallery and Community Engagement

In Focus

Our Team

Classroom

Library

Campus

Campus

Campus

Campus

Laboratory

Study Hours

Hostel

Hostel

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