Faculty details

Prof.Dhruva Kumar Singh

Designation: Visiting Professor

Department: Fuel, Minerals and Metallurgical Engineering

Email: dksingh[at]iitism[dot]ac[dot]in

Contact Number: 9869427464

Personal Page: Click Here

About Me: Dr. Dhruva Kumar Singh is a Visiting Faculty in the Department of Fuel, Minerals & Metallurgical Engineering. Prior to coming to IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, he was Head, Hydrometallurgy & Rare Earth Development Section, Materials Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Professor, Chemical Sciences, Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, Department of Atomic Energy. Dr. Singh, a gold medalist in M.Sc. (Chemistry) from Magadh University Bodh Gaya, joined Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, in 1991 after successful completion of one year Orientation Course in Nuclear Science, Engineering and Technology. He earned his Ph.D. from Mumbai University in 2001 and conducted Post-Doctoral Research (2002-2004) at The Florida State University, USA under world renowned nuclear scientist Prof. G.R. Choppin. Dr Singh is a recognized expert in rare earth resource processing and critical minerals, contributing over three decades at BARC to developing process flowsheets for critical, atomic and rare earths metals from primary and secondary sources. Till date Dr Singh has guided 3 M. Tech and 5 Ph.D students. Dr. Singh holds membership in several professional bodies including Indian Institute of Metals (IIM, Mumbai Chapter) and Rare Earths Association of India (REAI). With over 300 publications in peer-reviewed journals and national/international conferences and numerous invited lectures he contributed to various scientific committees including NITI Aayog constituted committee in the field of critical minerals and rare earths. For his creditable and noteworthy contributions in the development of technologies related to atomic, critical and rare earth metals and materials he has received many prestigious awards such as: • Metallurgist of the Year Award, Ministry of Steel, Govt. of India (2015) • IIM Hindustan Zinc Gold Medal (2019) • INS Medal for Strategic Materials Processing (2006) • VASVIK Award for Materials & Metallurgical Sciences and Technology (2022) • DAE Group Achievement Awards (2018 & 2020) • Lifetime Achievement Awards (2024): REAI, REMAC, ISAS

Research Interest: • Hydrometallurgy; Solvent extraction & Ion exchange • Membrane-based separations • Process flow sheet development for critical mineral and rare earth elements • Circular economy via e-waste and industry waste recycling • Pyrometallurgical processing of critical material and rare earths

Teaching

Critical Minerals, Nuclear Materials and Rare Earths

Academics

Position

Awards and Honors

  1. Gold Medal, M.Sc (Chemistry) (1989)
  2. INS Medal 2006 for contribution in the development of processes for strategic materials. (2006)
  3. Metallurgist of the Year Award 2015 by Ministry of Steel, Govt. of India for Rare Earths Recovery and Production. (2015)
  4. IIM Hindustan Zinc Gold Medal Award 2019 for contributions in non-ferrous metallurgical industries. (2019)
  5. DAE Group Achievement Award 2018 for preparation and supply of gadolinium nitrate hexa hydrate moderator poison for use in Kakrapara Atomic Power Plant-3. (2018)
  6. DAE Group Achievement Award 2020 for development of indigenous technology for production of Nd metal required for making NdFeB magnets in the country. (2020)
  7. VASVIK AWARD 2022 for Materials & Metallurgical Science & Technology.  (2022)
  8. Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 by Rare Earth Association of India (REAI) for seminal contributions in the field of rare earths R&D and lab to industrial scale technology demonstration. (2024) 
  9. Lifetime Achievement Award 2024 by REMAC 2024 for remarkable contributions in the Research and Development in the area of critically important rare earth elements & compounds required for establishing value supply chain in the country. (2024)
  10. Lifetime Achievement – Technical Award 2024 by Indian Society of Analytical Scientists (ISAS) for notable contributions in the field of science & technology of critical and rare earths materials. (2024)

Publications

Projects & Activities

Guidance

No. of students:
M.Tech: 3 Completed
PhD: 5 Completed; 3 Ongoing