Pune: A team of students from the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune, triumphed in the prestigious Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2024 Hardware Edition, held at PIET, Panipat, from December 11 to 15.

Competing against thousands of teams nationwide, the students from DIAT’s School of Energy and Environment stood out with their innovative grey water remediation solution, earning them the title of winners.

The victorious team, consisting of Col. Rushikesh Dhotre, Manvendra Kumar, Shaista Shabbi, Anuj Sahu, Saswata Dhar, and Saptrishi Sarkar, was guided by mentors Dr. Nikhil Bhave and Dr. Rahul Yadav, with technical support from Dr. Sandesh Raut. Their accomplishment was rewarded with a ₹1 Lakh cash prize, trophies, and certificates.

The team’s project featured an eco-friendly grey water treatment system integrating soya biochar and solar-powered UV purification. This innovative solution not only improves water quality but also reduces reliance on conventional energy sources, demonstrating a sustainable approach to community wastewater management.

Speaking on the achievement, Dr. Prashant S. Kulkarni, Director of the School of Energy and Environmental Systems, said, “Our research group has always aimed to deliver innovative scientific solutions to contemporary challenges.” The school offers specialized MTech and PhD programs in Renewable Energy and Environmental Systems.

Vice-Chancellor of DIAT Pune, Dr. BHVS Narayana Murthy, congratulated the team, stating, “This achievement underscores the exceptional talent and innovative spirit cultivated at DIAT. It reflects our dedication to addressing modern-day challenges through education and technological advancement.”