The two-day International Conference on ‘Novel Materials and Applications (INCMA-2025)’ organised at Jabalpur Engineering College concluded on a positive note on Thursday. The conference brought together experts who shared their insights on various advanced topics. The conference commenced with the address by Dr Kamal Kushwaha, the Convener and Head of the Department, Applied Physics, who warmly welcomed the guests including Dr P.K. Purohit (NITTTR Bhopal) and Dr Ajay Kushwaha (IIT Indore).

 

The session was presided over by Dr P.K. Jhinge with Dr Vasudha Saxena as the co-chair. The technical session began with the lecture by Dr Ajay Kushwaha, who discussed nano-structured films, surface functionalization and hydrogen energy, emphasizing their role in achieving energy independence by 2047. Later, Dr Alok Shukla (NIT Mizoram) conducted an in-depth discussion on rare-earth-doped multiferroics and XRD analysis in presence of session chair Dr Ajay Kushwaha and Dr Kanchan Khare. Bringing an international perspective, Professor Latifa Latrous, Editor of Chemistry Africa Journal (Tunisia), delivered a virtual lecture.

 

This session was chaired by Dr Sanjay Soni, with Dr Gopal Meena. Professor Latifa discussed new sorptive phases in analytical sample preparation, focusing on solid-phase extraction and polystyrene-modified cotton fiber for sustainable device applications. The closing ceremony was graced by Dr P.K. Purohit as chief guest, who awarded certificates to the winners of poster and oral presentations and participation certificates to all participants. JEC alumni, Chandra Shekhar Patel and Dr Rajeev Chandak, Principal, JEC, congratulated the entire Physics Department for the successful conference.

 

The event was hosted by Professor Madhavi Soni and Professor Devyani Soni, while Professor Hemendra Patel and Professor Sunil Kispotta managed the online streaming. Dr Anubha Maheshwari, Dr O.P. Chauhan, Professor Prerit Tandon, Professor Abhishek Wania, Professor Devendra Dubey, co-conveners, Dr Bhavana Singh, Dr Sujeet Kumar Mahobia, and Dr Durgesh Nandini, played a crucial role in the smooth execution of the event.