NAGPUR: Research in energy efficient building materials has been going on for quite some time. But not many get international recognition for their work nor is the work published easily at international level.
However, a city student of construction technology and management from civil engineering department in the Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Vishakha Sakhare has bagged honours from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Ascot Berkshire, United Kingdom for work in the field of energy efficiency for the institute by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Ascot Berkshire, United Kingdom.
CIOB gives this honour every year to researchers who are at the forefront of innovative thinking under its International Innovation & Research Awards Scheme. "It is really a matter of pride for the college to get this coveted award. Luckily Vishakha, who submitted her master's thesis to CIOB reluctantly, when I told her to apply for the award
becomes the first Indian to get the award," said Rahul Ralegaonkar, a lecturer at VNIT in civil engineering.
Equally delighted is R Karthikeyen from Hyderabad who is one of the two ambassadors of CIOB in India. Though CIOB is more than 70 years old organization, it started recognizing the developments in India and China just recently. "It is a good start for India as CIOB is a very reputed organization. It will set a momentum for others involved in various innovations. I believe innovation comes from need and
It is high time the Indian youth get started in research of international standards," said Karthikeyen while speaking to TOI.
Vishakha considers herself extremely fortunate for the support that she received from her department head VA Mhaisalkar and Ralegaonkar, her guide for master's thesis. "Today, one needs to take care of many factors - like lighting, thermal comfort, carbon-di-oxide levels, humidity levels and above all the environment aspect - while designing a good building. While working on this project, my focus was on the city's high temperature throughout the year," she said.
Vishakha designed and developed materials that can be used for retrofitting. She used a combination of saw dust and thermocol for creating insulation effect for the roof. A cement layer covers this material. With the idea to minimize absorption of light she used aluminium sheets on the top to reflect light. This combination has helped in reducing the temperature inside the building by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius even in peak summer when the temperature outside is 45-47 degrees.
Advantages of the energy efficient buildings
Reduce the maximum temperature in a building by 4-5 degrees to even 7 degrees ensuring thermal comfort.
They minimize the carbon dioxide levels in the building, called 'sick building syndrome' which is generated due to improper ventilation for the gas generated from man and equipment to move out.
They ensure enough sunlight in house minimizing use of electricity.
Ensure safety and health of residents as they should not be exposed to harmful gases and unhealthy atmosphere.
Even old buildings can be converted into energy efficient buildings using retrofitting techniques and making suitable changes.
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