Jamia Millia Research Scholar Rubina selected for Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF)

It is a matter of great pride for the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) that Ms Rubina, a PhD research scholar from the Department of Electrical Engineering has been selected for the coveted Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF) under the Direct Entry category for May-2021 drive.

JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar congratulated the scholar for this award and hoped she will justify the fellowship with quality research outcome.

Prof. Munna Khan, HOD, Department of Electrical Engineering said that she will receive a monthly fellowship of Rs 70, 000 for first two years, Rs 75,000 for 3rd year, Rs.80,000 for the 4th year and the 5th year respectively. In addition to this, the scholar is also eligible for a research grant of Rs. 2 lakhs per year (Rs 10 Lakhs for five years) under the scheme.

Ms Rubina’s research will be based on “Development of Smart Capacitive Sensors for Condition Monitoring of Electrical Apparatus in Smart Grids”. The main objective is to fabricate capacitive sensors with superior static and dynamic characteristics for real time online health monitoring of key electrical apparatus such as transformers, and gas insulated switchgears (GIS).

The capacitive sensors are extensively used for sensing applications but mostly parallel plate and planar interdigital capacitive sensors with nanostructure sensing films. Although nanostructure materials are nowadays widely used for sensing applications and the stability of the nanomaterials is an important issue for real time applications. Researchers mostly pay attention to the sensitivity which can be easily addressed with modern advanced IC devices but degradation of sensor performance due to stability is difficult to address by the ICs.

Ms Rubina, is pursuing PhD under the supervision of Prof. Tariqul Islam in the Electrical Engineering Department, JMI. She will work on “Design, Modelling and Fabrication of High Performance Capacitive Sensors for Non-contact Measurement of Some Important Parameters in Smart Grids”. The sensors for smart grids need to face adverse conditions such as high temperature corrosive environment with electromagnetic noise interference. The research work will pave a way for the development of novel capacitive sensors which will be cost effective, easy to install and fulfil the application needs.

Rubina thanked Prof. A. Q. Ansari, the coordinator PMRF scheme, HOD, Dean F/O Engg. & Technology, the supervisor and other members of the department who supported her for this achievement.

It is worth mentioning that under the Lateral Entry Scheme of the December 2020 drive, six research scholars of JMI were selected for PMRF. Five out of six are girl students.

The main motivation for this attractive fellowship scheme is to attract the best talent into research thereby realizing the vision of development through innovation. The scheme was announced in the Budget 2018-19.