Venkat Raman
Indian Newslink, Auckland, January 20, 2018
AUT (Auckland University of Technology) Professor of Electrical and Electrical Engineering Krishnamachar Prasad was honoured with the ‘Hind Rattan Award,’ at the 37th Congress of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) held at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Bangkok from January 8 to 10, 2018.
A great honour
Organised by the Bangkok Chapter of the NRI Welfare Society of India (with its headquarters in New Delhi), the Award was a part of the Regional Pravasi Bharatiya Divas held at the Thai Capital this year.
The Ministry of Overseas Affairs of the Indian Government organises the ‘Pravasi Bharatiya Divas’ in India every two years from January 7 to 9 to commemorate the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa in 1915.
The Hind Rattan (Jewel of India) is one of the highest Indian Diasporic awards presented NRIs by the NRI Welfare Society of India every year.
The NRI Welfare Society was established in New Delhi in 1981 by the Late Harbhajan Singh member of the Press Council of India and Editor of the English fortnightly ‘The Indian Observer,’ and President of the All India Small & Medium Newspapers Federation.
About Professor Prasad
Professor Krishnamachar Prasad , who has several research papers and publications to his credit, grew up with access to nothing more than logarithmic tables and slide rules, He was fascinated by electronics when he first encountered the calculator and its ability to perform complex scientific and mathematic calculations.
Pursuing his interest, he enrolled for a degree in Electrical Engineering (BE) at the Bangalore University in India and thereafter completed his postgraduate studies (M Tech) at IIT Madras, one of the most prestigious institutions in the world.
He completed his Doctorate (PhD) at the University of Western Australia and gained wide exposure to microelectronics, an area in which he has had rich research experience for more than 35 years. He has published his research work extensively in peer reviewed international journals and conferences.
Specialist areas
Professor Prasad’s work focuses on the development and reliability of novel interconnects in conventional and three-dimensional integrated circuits.
He has worked extensively on the technology development and characterisation of a variety of silicon and compound semiconductor devices including materials such as Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT) for applications in night vision systems.
Solid State Sensors
His research now focuses on the development of solid state sensors for odour, colour and chemical profiling. Such sensors could scientifically determine, for example, whether wine has aged adequately for bottling, fish is fresh or drinking water is safe for consumption.
Professor Prasad’s ultimate aim is to develop a low-cost, mobile miniature sensor device that consumers could use in everyday situations such as making sure fries are cooked in oil that has not gone off or food is free of MSG or other harmful additives.
He is also conducting research on surface electromyography and high temperature superconductor applications in the electric power industry.
Photo Caption: Professor Krishnamachar Prasad receiving the ‘Hind Rattan Award’ from Phillippe Le Gall, High Commissioner of Seychelles to India and Non-Resident Ambassador to Thailand at the ceremony held in Bangkok on January 9, 2018
(Picture Supplied)
