Sivanandi Rajadurai

Sivanandi Rajadurai (born September 1, 1951), also known as Mylaudy Dr. S. Rajadurai is a scientist in the fields of catalysis, physical chemistry, and emission control focused on environmental protection. He is the chairman and founder of the Rajadurai Foundation.

Education

Rajadurai was born on September 1, 1951, to Sivanandi Nadar and Thayammal Nadachi, in Myladi, Tamil Nadu, an agricultural village in the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India. He completed his secondary education at Ringletaube High School in Mylaudy and then enrolled in Vivekananda College, Kanyakumari. Rajadurai graduated as valedictorian and was a public orator, reportedly placing first in over fifty regional competitions between 1969 and 1972. Rajadurai subsequently received the university gold medal for his postgraduate degree in chemistry at the Mar Ivanios College of the University of Kerala. He holds a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from the IIT and worked with J. C. Kuriacose. His doctoral thesis on catalytic converter development informed his future research on the development of solid oxide solutions for pollution abatement. While at the IIT, Rajadurai was also captain of the inter-collegiate weightlifting athletic team.

Career

1979–1985: India

Rajadurai held academic positions from 1979 to 1980 at American College, Madurai, and Loyola College, Chennai, from 1980 to 1985, concurrently serving as a Ph.D. supervisor for the University of Madras. He received the Loyola College Best Professor Award and Distinguished Research Professor Award in 1983. During this time, Rajadurai served as a UNESCO representative for India.

1985–2009: United States

In the United States, Rajadurai began his career at the University of Notre Dame and also worked in advanced laboratory settings across the nation. His associates included J. J. Carberry and C.B. Alcock, with whom he collaborated and developed non-noble metal catalysts and solid oxide solutions, including one developed to rival platinum for oxidation and reduction reactions. He developed organic free radical for polymerization-initiating reactions and studied photochemical and physical properties using single and dual laser.

Rajadurai transitioned to corporate business in 1990, holding senior scientist and executive positions. At Carus Chemicals, he was responsible for generating catalyst formulation processes and developed patents for ozone decomposition catalysts and powder coating techniques. Rajadurai directed Molecular Technology Corporation (MOTEC) in catalyst development, reactor designs, and analytical procedures, resulting in solutions for nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction systems applied in diesel and natural gas operated engines.

As a Research Leader at Cummins from 1990 to 1995, Rajadurai developed catalytic after-treatment systems for diesel engines and managed industrial-university catalytic research programs across the United States to investigate quantum chemical modelling for catalyst prediction and microwave-generated free radical injections for nitrogen oxide reduction. While at Tenneco, he established computational simulations for exhaust after treatment systems development for commercial, heavy duty specialty, and global emerging markets. His responsibilities included North American manufacturing of the ultra-thin wall substrate catalytic converter working with Corning Inc. and NGK.

Rajadurai received the Tenneco Innovation Award in 1998 for product and process innovation in developing a low noble metal catalytic converter, the Tenneco Automotive General Manager's Leadership Award in 1998, and the Tenneco Automotive Vision Award in 2000. He was elected as a Board of Director of the Manufacturers of Emission Control Association (MECA), Board of Director of US Fuel Cell Council, and Board of Director of Walker Exhaust India Private Limited in 2001.

As an executive at ArvinMeritor, Rajadurai directed the technology road map, annual operating plan and business strategy. Rajadurai was Vice President of ACS Industries from 2004 to 2009, in-charge of the strategic planning for product and technology development of wire mesh catalyst infrastructure. Rajadurai is an elected fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

2009–present: India

Rajadurai established a Research & Development centre in South India fo
Sharda Motor Industries Ltd
The centre's capabilities include design, development and validation of exhaust systems for emission control & Noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) control. He established relationships with research institutions and provided professional education to young engineers on industry challenges and opportunities, including those related to globalization, over capacity, economic uncertainties, and changing consumer demands.

He initiated a green technology centre to encourage research and education on environmental protection, addressing challenges such as acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion, rainforest deterioration, river contamination, sea level rise, accumulation of hazardous wastes, air pollution and overpopulation. He has been involved with the SRM Institute of Science and Technology formula racing team, developing exhaust systems for engine performance while maintaining sound levels below 110 dB.

Rajadurai is Chairman of the Rajadurai Foundation, which aims to advance academic scholarship, professional development, societal welfare, and environmental protection. He holds seminars and corporate partnerships as a visiting professor with SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Adhiparasakthi college of engineering, Karpagam University, SKR Engineering College, James Engineering College, Annai Vailankanni College of Engineering, Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET) University and Hindustan University.

Rajadurai has facilitated corporate partnerships with various universities and colleges. He served as a Chairman of Industry Institute Interaction Cell (IIIC) in 2011 and as a Member of Governing Council in 2012 at Annai Vailankanni College of Engineering. In 2018, he became a Member of the Research Advisory Board (National) and Board of Research at Hindustan Institute of Technology & Science. He was also a Board of Studies Member in 2018 and a Member of the Advisory Committee in 2019 at Bannari Amman Institute of Technology. Additionally, he is a Member of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and Institution Innovation Council (IIC) as of 2019 at the Academy of Maritime Education and Training ( AMET) University.

Achievements

Rajadurai received the SAE India Southern Section Lifetime Accomplishment Award in 2017 for his contribution to the automobile product and process innovation. He received the Dr. K.C.G. Verghese Excellence Award in 2017 from Hindustan Group of Institutions for his Research achievements. He received the Bharat Gaurav National Award for his work in teaching, research, and publications from IRDP Group of Journals in 2020.

Publications

Rajadurai's research areas include fundamental chemistry such as photochemistry and photo-physics, nanosecond kinetics of free radicals and transients, catalytic converter development, Emission control, computational simulations and applications, exhaust system development, environmental pollution & CO₂ control and program management. His findings have been presented in international scientific journals.

Scientific presentations

Rajadurai has presented research findings at International conferences such as the Diesel Engine-Efficiency and Emissions Research (DEER) Conference, the International Conference for Solar Conversion, the Fifth National Catalysis Symposium, the Society Automotive Engineers (SAE) Congress International Conference on Automotive Materials & Manufacturing, FISITA, the Asian PowerTrain Conference, and the GT Conference.

References

External links

SAE-India Collegiate Club inauguration at Annai Vailankanni College of EngineeringNKI Scholar

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rajadurai, Sivanandi
1951 births
Living people
Scientists from Chennai
People from Kanyakumari district
Indian development specialists