Apart from the areas mentioned in the themes earlier, any ideas (but not limited to) are also invited in the following topics:

a) Waste Water Treatment and Waste Water Recycling Technologies

Water treatment and recycle technologies are going to play major role for better livelihood. Ideas are invited on i) Cost effective ways for membrane development for waste water treatment processes, ii) RO membranes for water treatment, iii) RO reject water regeneration technologies

b) Photocatalytic hydrogen production using waste water

Upcycling of wastewater via effective solar-assisted photocatalytic hydrogen production is vital for future green energy technology because this technique would become readily available as an ecofriendly and inexpensive method for treating industrial wastewater as well as developing alternative energy sources. Among various attractive methods for water splitting photocatalysis is one of the emerging techniques for the development of energy conversion technology . For photocatalytic hydrogen production, developing a novel semiconductive material is essential to enhance the charge separation because the large number of photo-generated charge carriers may promote the photocatalysis reaction. In general, semiconductor materials exhibit the increased potential energy from the photocatalytic reaction because of their flexible constitution and diversity of properties. Even though a variety of inorganic semiconductors showed a potential hydrogen production ability through photocatalytic reactions, there has been a serious drawback in water-splitting due to its absorption of visible light and bandgap variations . Ideas are invited on the development of materials with enhanced efficiency.

c) Process Intensification in Refining industry

Process Intensification (PI) makes dramatic reductions in the size of unit operations where by its reduces capital costs and allows for integration of equipment/processes to achieve high capacity, reduced footprint (area), increased selectivity and enhanced heat and mass transfer rates. Ideas are invited from the participants in the area of process intensification with respect to oscillatory baffled reactors, spinning disc reactors, Rotating packed beds, Compact heat exchangers, Micro reactors & Catalytic plate reactors

In refineries, distillation is used in many processes such as Crude oil distillation, Propane –propylene separation, Cracked distillate separation, BTX separation, hydrotreater diesel separation, etc and being energy intensive process it consumes nearly 40-60% of energy in the refining industry. Hence, novel ideas are sought for reducing the energy / space requirement of the distillation processes

d) E-Mobility

Role of Oil Industries in Future Automotive Technologies Automobile industry is racing towards a new world, driven by sustainability and currently going through a transition phase where various technologies are constantly evolving, hydrogen vehicles, hybrid vehicles, fuel-cell vehicles, connected, autonomous, shared and electric (CASE) vehicle and smart mobility are some of the examples. As automotive industry is one of the biggest consumers for oil companies products, any change in the functionality of automotive industry would have a significant impact on oil and gas industries business.

Ideas are invited from the participants to address the question “How would an oil industry conduct R&D in order to match the pace of the innovations currently the automotive industry is going through?”

E-Mobility

Role of Oil Industries in Future Automotive Technologies Automobile industry is racing towards a new world, driven by sustainability and currently going through a transition phase where various technologies are constantly evolving, hydrogen vehicles, hybrid vehicles, fuel-cell vehicles, connected, autonomous, shared and electric (CASE) vehicle and smart mobility are some of the examples. As automotive industry is one of the biggest consumers for oil companies products, any change in the functionality of automotive industry would have a significant impact on oil and gas industries business.

Ideas are invited from the participants to address the question “How would an oil industry conduct R&D in order to match the pace of the innovations currently the automotive industry is going through?”

In today’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape, integrating AI-powered digitalization isn’t just advantageous, it’s essential. From deploying digital twins and real-time analytics for predictive maintenance and process optimization to leveraging IoT-enabled anomaly detection and intelligent inspections, AI enables significant efficiency gains, operational resilience, and improved safety in refining and manufacturing sectors.

• a. Real-time digital twin models for yield optimization & process improvement
• b. Intelligent Corrosion Monitoring & Diagnostics
• c. AI-Powered system for refineries Process Efficiency, Leak detection, Fouling prediction etc.
• d. Predictive maintenance using Industrial IoT analytics
• e. Technological tools for R&D Centre
• f. Machine Learning for Catalyst / Material Design

This theme underlines the urgent global shift from the outdated “take make dispose” model to a resilient, resource efficient system, where materials are reused, recycled, and kept in circulation for as long as possible, significantly reducing waste, environmental degradation, and greenhouse gas emissions. By embracing circular economy practices, India stands to unlock substantial economic gains, generate new green jobs, enhance supply chain resilience, and propel national sustainability goals.

• a. Oil recovery from refinery sludge and process residues
• b. Refining spent catalyst utilization
• c. Smart Water Recycling & Treatment Technologies
• d. Sustainable Green Polymers for a Circular Economy
• e. Spent lube oil recovery and reuse
• f. Sustainable polymer composites and green materials for packaging & downstream use
• g. E-waste and Plastic waste management

Transitioning to new and green energy sources including hydrogen, solar, biomass, and next-generation storage technologies—is essential for decarbonizing hard-to-electrify sectors and achieving India's ambitious net-zero goals. With renewable energy accounting for nearly half (46%) of India's installed capacity and the government spearheading the National Green Hydrogen Mission targeting 5 million tonnes annually by 2030, the momentum behind sustainable energy innovation is stronger than ever

• a. Hydrogen usage as a fuel
• b. Sustainable hydrogen production technology
• c. Cost efficient renewable power production
• d. New generation materials for hydrogen storage
• e. Cost efficient process for hydrogen transport
• f. Efficient energy storage / conversion technologies (Battery/ Fuel Cell/ Super Capacitor/ Solar).
• g. Biomass utilization for fuels and chemicals
• h. Lignin conversion technologies
• i. Solar harvesting technologies for industry

As global and Indian emission reduction targets tighten, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) emerges as a critical solution for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial sectors such as cement, steel, and refineries, where renewables alone can't suffice. Beyond merely trapping CO₂, conversion pathways can transform emissions into value-added products (like methanol, fuels, or construction materials), catalyzing industrial sustainability while enabling new economic avenues and employment growth.

• a. Low concentration Carbon Dioxide Capture
• b. CO² Valorisation for Fuels & Chemicals
• c. Future solvents and absorbents materials
• d. CO² compression and pipeline transport options
• e. CO² shipping and liquefaction technologies for coastal refineries
• f. CO² capture - retrofit options for legacy refineries

As global fuel demand evolves and electric mobility rises, refineries must pivot toward petrochemical integration to stay competitive and sustainable. Enhancing margins, enabling feedstock flexibility are critical in these situation. Innovative strategies such as process intensification, co-processing bio-feedstocks, energy-efficient catalysts, digital integration etc, are critical for modernizing legacy infrastructure and supporting India’s growing petrochemical ambitions amid rising environmental standards and energy transitions.

• a. Process Intensification Strategies for Refining Operations
• b. Sustainable technologies for Re-refining of Used Lubricating Oils
• c. New age processes for Petrochemicals and Polymers
• d. Cutting-Edge Solutions for CO ² and H ^2S Absorption
• e. Cost-Effective Synthesis of Advanced Zeolite Catalysts for Petroleum Refining
• f. New generation catalysts and adsorbents
• g. Heat recovery and autonomous thermal systems

Innovative materials such as high-entropy oxides, conductive MOFs, next-gen polymers, and tailored nanocomposites are revolutionizing energy storage, smart coatings, and performance infrastructure with unmatched stability, responsiveness, and multifunctionality. By enabling breakthroughs in devices like supercapacitors, sensors, batteries, and protective coatings, these materials pave the way for sustainable, efficient, and resilient industrial systems making this theme highly timely and transformative.

• a. Heat-resistant adhesives/composites for refinery infrastructure
• b. Smart coatings or materials for corrosion / acid gas resistance
• c. High-Performance Materials for Batteries and Supercapacitors
• d. Advanced Nanomaterials / Polymer materials / Composites
• e. Polymer Electrolytes for Next Gen Energy Devices
• f. Biopolymers or circular polymers from captured CO² feedstocks
• g. Novel membrane materials for energy application
• h. Cost effective and stable MOFs/COFs for energy application

As global and Indian emission reduction targets tighten, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) emerges as a critical solution for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial sectors such as cement, steel, and refineries, where renewables alone can't suffice. Beyond merely trapping CO₂, conversion pathways can transform emissions into value-added products (like methanol, fuels, or construction materials), catalyzing industrial sustainability while enabling new economic avenues and employment growth.

• a. Low concentration Carbon Dioxide Capture
• b. CO² Valorisation for Fuels & Chemicals
• c. Future solvents and absorbents materials
• d. CO² compression and pipeline transport options
• e. CO² shipping and liquefaction technologies for coastal refineries
• f. CO² capture - retrofit options for legacy refineries

a) Role of AI in energy transition
Energy transition from fossil-based systems (oil, natural gas and coal) to renewable energy sources like wind and solar, with attendant energy storage has become a dire necessity due to the alarming rate of global warming and climate change, besides limited reserves of fossil resources.. The key challenges with these renewable sources is their non-availability on a continuous 24x7 basis and lack of human control over the variation in their intensity with time. This introduces difficulty in matching generation with consumption and smooth integration with alternate sources of generation or storage devices. AI can be a useful tool to this end.Ideas are invited for use of Artificial Intelligence techniques / methods which can ensure a smooth energy transition

b) Machine Learning for New Alloy Development
Corrosion is relentless. Incidents such as Aloha airlines or the Alaskan oil spill have shown us the need for proper corrosion monitoring and usage of corrosion-resistant materials. Several newer corrosion-resistant alloys are being developed to address a host of different corrosion issues. ICME (Integrated Computational Material Engineering) uses DFT as a bottoms-up approach for cutting down both time and cost in the development of new materials from first principles. It provides inputs to CALPHAD amongst other approaches. However, it is computationally very demanding and recommended only when other approaches including direct experimentation are limiting. The lead time for development is typically around 3-5 years, involving multiple trials of material combination and performance assessment. Advanced statistical techniques such as Machine Learning is emerging as a parallel approach which bypasses development of rigorous physically complex and self-consistent models. While it may have limitations in this respect it could add value through quick identification of potential materials which can then be taken up for rigorous modelling..

In this regard, Ideas are invited for use of Machine Learning which can reduce the lead time in alloy development

c) Advanced Corrosion Monitoring Devices
New advancements in digitalization, automation, and machine learning are paving the way for further progress at the intersection of robotics and corrosion prevention, while increasing efficiency and safety, and even creating new jobs. A variety of robotic technologies are employed to access remote or hazardous areas, conduct precise and repeatable inspections, or perform tasks that are dull, dirty, or physically demanding In this regard, Ideas are invited for the development of advanced robotic technologies for corrosion monitoring.

d) AI based process intensification
AI can help in finding optimized solutions for systems with vast number of variables. For refining / chemical industry, AI based decision making can be a breakthrough in managing resources, pipelines etc. Research ideas/methods on AI based process optimization and intensification are invited in this regard.

e ) Artificial intelligence for predicting fouling in heat exchangers
Fouling on process equipment and heat exchanger surfaces have a significant, detrimental impact on the working efficiency and operation of the heat exchangers. The existing research on fouling mitigation is predominantly on fouling prevention using anti-foulant chemicals. A predictive model which can foresee fouling can yield benefits through timely preventive maintenance which in turn can avoid unanticipated shutdowns, improve plant operation, minimize energy consumption and avoid loss of production.
Ideas are invited for use of Artificial Intelligence techniques for creating a prediction model which can predict fouling with precision & accuracy.

a. Oil recovery from refinery sludge and process residues

b. Refining spent catalyst utilization

c. Smart Water Recycling & Treatment Technologies

d. Sustainable Green Polymers for a Circular Economy

e. Spent lube oil recovery and reuse

f. Sustainable polymer composites and green materials for packaging & downstream use

g. E-waste and Plastic waste management