Associate Professor · Mechanical Engineering

Mukundjee Pandey,
Ph.D.

Solar thermal engineer designing the next generation of renewable energy systems — through computational fluid dynamics, low-temperature thermodynamic cycles, and the quiet art of waste-heat recovery.

Solar Thermal CFD & FEA Heat & Power Renewable Energy Thermodynamic Cycles DGCA Certified Drone Pilot
14+
SCI & Scopus Articles
6
Published Patents
153
Citations
7
h-index
6
i10-index
9+
Years in Academia
01 — Profile

A practitioner of thermal sciences, working at the seam of computation and clean energy.

Dr. Mukundjee Pandey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Centurion University of Technology & Management, Bhubaneswar. His doctoral research, completed at IIIT Bhubaneswar in 2022, focused on the design modification and development of solar parabolic trough collectors integrated with low-temperature thermodynamic cycles and waste heat recovery — work that continues to anchor his publication and patent portfolio today.

Across more than a decade of teaching, simulation, and consultancy, his work has spanned hydroelectric power, thermal power plant condenser optimisation, solar chimneys, Kalina and Brayton cycles, nanoparticle-enhanced absorber fluids, and computational modelling of aerospace and biomedical systems.

“To improve professional, technical and interpersonal skills — and implement them to grow alongside the institute’s growth.”

He has authored peer-reviewed articles in Solar Energy, Thermal Sciences, Energy Sources Part-A, Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, and the International Journal of Exergy, with six published Indian patents on receiver-tube and solar-chimney geometries to his name.

Beyond research, he has served as Vice-Principal of the School of Vocational Education and Training, as Head of Department for Aerospace Engineering, and as a domain coordinator for Go-to-Market projects whose student teams have won Dassault Systèmes Jury Awards and represented India in Paris on UNESCO heritage 3D modelling.

He is a certified drone pilot in small and medium rotorcraft categories under DGCA — a useful, somewhat unexpected complement to a career otherwise spent indoors with meshes and solvers.

02 — Research Foci

Six terrains of inquiry, one common pursuit.

Each line of work is connected by a single thread: turning sunlight and waste heat into useful, well-engineered power.

i.

Solar Parabolic Trough Collectors

Geometry modification, arc-plug insertions, helical grooves, and nanoparticle-enhanced Syltherm-800 absorber fluids studied through CFD.

ii.

Solar Chimney Power Plants

Performance analysis, nocturnal operation via waste-heat recovery, and binary-gas-mixture working fluids in CFD simulation.

iii.

Low-Temperature Cycles

Selection and thermo-economic analysis of Kalina, Brayton, and organic Rankine cycles for solar-combined applications.

iv.

Heat Transfer & Thermodynamics

Numerical heat transfer, viscous dissipation effects, and the broader pedagogy of FDM and FVM methods.

v.

Aerospace & FEA Consultancy

CFD and structural simulation of e-VTOLs, drones, e-rickshaw chassis, and zero-gravity metal 3D printing for Gaganyaan.

vi.

Hybrid Renewable Systems

Integrated PTC-Kalina + solar chimney systems for hydrogen production; biodiesel-assisted VCR engine performance.

03 — Education

A path through thermal science, recorded in scores and years.

Ph.D., Solar Thermal EngineeringIIIT Bhubaneswar · A Government of Odisha University
M.Tech., Thermal Science & Heat Power EngineeringITER, SOA University, Bhubaneswar · NIRF Rank 20 (MHRD)
B.Tech., Mechanical EngineeringSikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Gangtok
AISSCE — Class XIIKendriya Vidyalaya · CBSE
AISSE — Class XKendriya Vidyalaya · CBSE
04 — Academic Career

From assistant professor to associate, by way of aerospace.

May 2023 — Present
Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Centurion University of Technology & Management, Bhubaneswar
Oct 2022 — May 2023
Assistant Professor & Head of Department, Aerospace Engineering
Centurion University of Technology & Management, Bhubaneswar
Jan 2021 — Oct 2022
Assistant Professor, Aerospace Engineering
Centurion University of Technology & Management, Bhubaneswar
Nov 2016 — Jan 2021
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Centurion University of Technology & Management, Bhubaneswar
2011 (6 months)
Project Engineer — Condenser Performance Study
Damodar Valley Corporation · Bokaro Thermal Power Station (3 × 210 MW)
Real-plant experiments yielding a 12% rise in condenser efficiency over six months of continuous work.
05 — Administration

Roles in institution-building.

α

Vice-Principal

School of Vocational Education and Training, CUTM Bhubaneswar.

β

RAC Domain Coordinator

School of Engineering & Technology, CUTM Bhubaneswar.

γ

Go-to-Market Coordinator

School of Engineering & Technology — student teams winning Dassault Systèmes Jury Awards.

δ

Associate Coordinator

Centre for Manufacturing, School of Engineering & Technology, CUTM.

ε

Marine Coordinator

School of Maritime Studies, CUTM Bhubaneswar.

ζ

Thesis Titles

PhD: Solar PTC with low-temperature thermodynamic cycle & waste-heat recovery. M.Tech: Cabinet-type solar dryer with evacuated tubes.

06 — Publications

Peer-reviewed work in solar & thermal sciences.

Selected papers indexed in SCI and Scopus, with impact factors noted where applicable.

01
Numerical simulation of solar parabolic trough collector with viscous dissipation in slits of arc-plug insertion. Pandey, M., Padhi, B.N., & Mishra, I. (2021). Solar Energy, 230, 810–824. doi:10.1016/j.solener.2021.11.008
IF 6.0
02
Performance analysis of a waste heat recovery solar chimney for nocturnal use. Pandey, M., Padhi, B.N., & Mishra, I. (2021). Engineering Science and Technology, an International Journal, 24(1), 1–10. doi:10.1016/j.jestch.2020.11.009
IF 5.1
03
Performance enhancement and comparison of inner-shielded solar parabolic trough collector with various nanoparticles in Syltherm-800 using CFD techniques. Mishra, I., Senapati, P., & Pandey, M. (2024). Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 27, 2055–2072. doi:10.1007/s10098-024-02942-8
IF 4.2
04
Numerical simulation of solar parabolic trough collector with arc-plug insertion. Pandey, M., Padhi, B.N., & Mishra, I. (2020). Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery and Utilization, Taylor & Francis, 43(21), 2635–2655. doi:10.1080/15567036.2020.1822467
IF 2.3
05
Numerical simulation of solar parabolic trough collector with twisted tape insertion shielded within inner cylindrical tube. Mishra, I., Senapati, P., & Pandey, M. (2023). Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery and Utilization, Taylor & Francis, 45(3), 7050–7067. doi:10.1080/15567036.2023.2218306
IF 2.3
06
Enhancement of Weld Characteristics in DSS 2205 Using Cusp Magnetic Field-Assisted Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. Dontikurti, R., Pandey, M., Rao, P. S., & Srikant, S. S. (2026). Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance. doi:10.1007/s11665-026-13348-6
IF 2.3
07
Relation of change in geometrical parameters in the thermal performance of solar chimney. Padhi, B.N., Pandey, M., & Mishra, I. (2021). Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 35, 4737–4746. doi:10.1007/s12206-021-0939-8
IF 1.5
08
Selection of low-temperature power cycles. Pandey, M., Padhi, B.N., & Mishra, I. (2021). Thermal Sciences, 25(2), 1587–1598. doi:10.2298/TSCI191116165P
IF 1.1
09
Thermo-economic analysis of a solar combined cycle with Brayton, Kalina, and organic Rankine cycle. Pandey, M., Padhi, B.N., & Mishra, I. (2023). International Journal of Exergy, 40(4), 392–413. doi:10.1504/IJEX.2023.130364
IF 1.1
10
Conformity assessment with structural strength requirements of mechanical polycentric prosthetic knee used for amputee rehabilitation. Mohanty, R. K., Mohanty, R. C., Sabut, S., & Pandey, M. (2023). Computer Methods in Biomechanics and Biomedical Engineering, 26(7), 764–776. doi:10.1080/10255842.2022.2088233
SCI
01
Simulation of a Double Cavity Type Solar Trough Collector. Pandey, M., Padhi, B.N., & Mishra, I. (2018). International Journal of Mechanical Engineering and Technology, 9(8), 915–928. IJMET_09_08_099
Scopus
02
Simulation and modeling of parabolic trough collector. Pandey, M., Padhi, B.N., & Mishra, I. (2019). Advances in Interdisciplinary Engineering — Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. doi:10.1007/978-981-13-6577-5_29
Scopus
03
Numerical validation of Parabolic Trough Collector: An approach to problem. Mishra, I., Senapati, P., & Pandey, M. (2023). Materials Today: Proceedings, 45(3), 7050–7067. doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2023.10.050
Scopus
04
Numerical simulation of solar parabolic trough collector with helical grooves using Cu nanoparticles. Mishra, I., Senapati, P., & Pandey, M. (2023). Materials Today: Proceedings, 74(4), 867–873. doi:10.1016/j.matpr.2022.11.272
Scopus
05
Revolutionizing solar chimneys in harvesting clean energy: A review. Panda, T. K., Pandey, M., Mohanty, A. M., et al. (2024). JP Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 37(5), 575–600. doi:10.17654/0973576324038
Scopus
07 — Patents

Six published patents in solar geometry & clean systems.

Indian patent office filings as sole inventor — covering receiver-tube geometries, swirl-fin chimneys, and adjacent clean-technology designs.

App. 407254-001Published

Receiver tube of parabolic trough collector with unilateral forward fins within the inner lower lateral side of the absorber tube

Filed 12 Feb 2024Published 24 Apr 2025
App. 407259-001Published

Parabolic trough collector’s receiver tube with triangular-shaped helical grooves within the absorber tubes

Filed 12 Feb 2024Published 07 May 2025
App. 407255-001Published

Solar chimney with sinusoidal swirl fins within the base of the collector

Filed 12 Feb 2024Published 09 Apr 2024
App. 407261-001Published

Solar chimney with sinusoidal swirl fins having peripheral mirror reflectors

Filed 12 Feb 2024Published 25 Nov 2024
App. 357338-001Published

E-garbage disposal van

Filed 12 Feb 2024Published 24 Apr 2025
App. 202531018713Published

Rotary modular trellis system for vertical farming

Filed 03 Mar 2025Published 21 Mar 2025
08 — Computational Toolkit

The solvers, the pre-processors, the certifications.

Software actively used across simulation, design, and process modelling — ✓ denotes formal certification.

3D-EXPERIENCE · Dassault ANSYS-Fluent ANSYS-AIM CATIA SIMULIA STAR-CCM+ CHEMCAD DWSIM Aspen Plus TRNSYS FESTO Pneumatic & Hydraulic EV Design & Development · ISIE Bio-Heat Transfer · IIT BBSR (GIAN) Solar PV Installer · NSDC IGBC Green Buildings · CII
09 — Consultancy

CFD & FEA work delivered for industry.

Simulation projects undertaken through Gram Tarang Technologies Pvt. Ltd. — spanning aerospace, biomedical, automotive, and process equipment.

CFD · FEA · Aerospace

E-VTOL — full structural & flow simulation

Dr. Radhakant Padhi & Prof. D. N. Rao
CFD · FEA · Space

Metal 3D Printing in Zero-Gravity — Wipro Gaganyaan Project

Dr. Dipankar Bhattacharyay
CFD · BIRAC Proposal

CO₂ Column Simulation

Dr. Dipankar Bhattacharyay
CFD · FEA · Mobility

E-Rickshaw Chassis — FEA & full-body CFD

Gram Tarang Technologies
CFD · FEA · Agriculture

Trellis & Dome — structural and flow simulation

Dr. Mukti Kanta Mishra
CFD · Process

Heat Exchanger for Dairy Production

Prof. Rabindra Shah
CFD · High-Temperature

High-Temperature Vortex Simulation

Prof. Rabindra Shah & Mr. Suman
Research Grant · 2023–2025

VCR Engine with Solar-Assisted Biodiesel Production (Heterogeneous Catalyst)

Seed Money — INR 2 Lakh, CUTM Odisha
10 — Honours

Recognition for academic & research contributions.

2023 · Faculty Incentive Awards

Performer” Category — CUTM

Awarded by Centurion University of Technology & Management, Odisha, for outstanding academic and research contributions.

₹ 1,00,000
2023 – 2025 · Seed Money Research Grant

VCR Engine & Solar-Assisted Biodiesel

Awarded for research on performance and emission analysis of a single-cylinder four-stroke VCR engine using solar-assisted biodiesel production with a heterogeneous catalyst.

₹ 2,00,000
Letter of Appreciation

From the Dean Academics

Issued by Centurion University of Technology & Management, Bhubaneswar.

2019 – 2022 · Dassault Systèmes

GTM Domain — Jury Awards & Paris Invitation

Guided student teams to win the Dassault Systèmes Jury Award (2019), “Project of the Year” runner-up (2020), and representation of India in Paris for “3D Model of Konark Sun Temple” (AAKRUTI 2022).

11 — FDPs & Workshops

As resource person & participant.

A condensed record of faculty development programmes delivered, organised, and attended.

Delivered as Resource Person

  • CFD Simulation of Aerospace & Heat Transfer Problems — AICTE ATAL FDP, CUTM (Jul 2021)
  • SIMULIA as a Tool for Structural & Thermal Analysis — AICTE ATAL FDP, CUTM (Nov 2021)
  • Simulation with 3D-Experience — SIMULIA — CUTM (Jul 2021)
  • Simulation & Validation — Centre for Computational Mathematics, CUTM (Sep 2020)
  • SIMULIA — Centre for Computational Mathematics, CUTM (May 2019)
  • Engineering Analysis using ANSYS — Mechanical & Civil faculty, CUTM (Jul 2017)
  • CFD using XFlow & ANSYS Fluent — 5-day workshop, CUTM (Mar 2023)
  • Simulation Learning with SIMULIA — 1-week workshop, CUTM (Mar 2023)
  • FEAST VSSC/ISRO Software — CUTM BBSR Campus (Oct 2018)
  • Design Thinking Workshop & NPD — Virtual Validation Seminar — CUTM (2020 & 2022)

Attended

  • Multi-Scale CFD: Fundamentals & Applications — NIT Jalandhar, TEQIP-III (Sep 2020)
  • Green Technology & Sustainability Engineering — NIT Jamshedpur, AICTE ATAL (Sep 2020)
  • Nanotechnology, Catalysis & Bio-Chemical Engineering (RANCBE) — VSSUT Burla (Sep 2020)
  • Water, Energy & Environment (WEE) — VSSUT Burla, TEQIP-III (Sep 2020)
  • SCILAB — An Open-Source Substitute for MATLAB — Sridevi WEC & Spoken Tutorial IIT-B (Jul 2020)
  • Advanced Manufacturing Enterprise on Digital Era — CUTM (Jun 2020)
  • Patents, Copyrights & Design Applications — CUTM (Jun 2021)
  • Vision 2025 @ Centurion — CUTM (Jun 2024)
  • Heat Transfer & Fluid Flow Modelling of Adsorption Systems — COMSOL Multiphysics — CUTM (May 2025)
  • Sustainable Engineering: Multidisciplinary Approaches — CUTM (Jun 2025)
12 — Academic Identity

Bibliometric profiles & peer review.

Google Scholar
Scopus Author ID
Web of Science Researcher ID
· · ·

Reviewer For

  • Thermal ScienceSCI indexed
  • Solar Energy (Elsevier) — SCI indexed
  • Proceedings IMechE Part A: Journal of Power and EnergySCI indexed
  • Journal of Mechanical Science and TechnologySCI indexed
  • International Journal of Exergy (Inderscience) — SCI & Scopus
  • International Journal of Renewable Energy Research (IJRER)Scopus indexed
  • Karbala International Journal of Modern Science (KIJMS)Scopus indexed

Memberships

  • International Association of Engineers (IAENG) — ID 238423
  • Institute for Engineering Research and Publications (IFERP) — ID Pm64823519

Courses Designed

  • Computer-Aided Engineering
  • Heat & Mass Transfer with FDM/FVM
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics Domain
  • Go-to-Market Domain
13 — Book Chapters

Contributions to edited volumes.

Project Management & Smart Electrical Systems

  • Design and Development by Using 3D Experience, CATIA — ISBN 9798587652200 · Amazon
  • Simulation and Validation Using SIMULIA — ISBN 9798587652200 · Amazon
  • Modeling and Simulation Using Dymola System Engineering — ISBN 9798587652200 · Amazon
  • Wire Harnessing for Automotive in 3D Experience Platform — ISBN 9798587652200 · Amazon
  • SIMULIA as a Tool for Structural Analysis — ISBN 9798587652200 · Amazon

Centurion, An Entrepreneurial University

  • Centre for Renewable Energy and Environment: Training Youth to Combat Climate Change — ISBN 978-81-949112-2-7 · Centurion University
14 — Contact

For collaboration, peer-review, or a quiet cup of tea.

Let’s build something with sunlight.
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Affiliation
Centurion University of Technology & Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha