New Delhi, July 15, 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi successfully organized the 3rd Global Forum and International Conference on Industrial Plasma Processes and Diagnostics (IPPD 2026) from 1–3 July 2026. Jointly organized by the Department of Energy Science and Engineering (DESE) and the Department of Physics, the conference brought together eminent scientists, academicians, industry leaders, research scholars, and students from India and abroad. Building on the success of IPPD 2024 and IPPD 2025, the event further strengthened India's growing leadership in plasma science and technology and reaffirmed IIT Delhi's commitment to interdisciplinary research for societal benefit.

The conference was conceived and successfully convened by Prof. Bibhuti Bhusan Sahu, Department of Energy Science and Engineering, IIT Delhi. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Prof. Rangan Banerjee, Director, IIT Delhi, who emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary research and technological innovation in addressing global challenges related to clean energy, environmental sustainability, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing. Welcoming the delegates, Prof. Bibhuti Bhusan Sahu, Convener of IPPD 2026, highlighted the conference's vision of inspiring young researchers, strengthening academia–industry collaboration, and advancing plasma science for societal applications. Prof. Ramesh Narayanan, Chairperson of IPPD 2026 and Head of DESE, reiterated the Institute's commitment to developing plasma based technologies that improve lives through research excellence and innovation.

A central theme of IPPD 2026 was the growing importance of plasma—the fourth state of matter—in modern society. While plasma naturally exists in the Sun, stars, and lightning, engineered plasmas have become indispensable in everyday life. Today, plasma enables semiconductor chip manufacturing, solar cells, LED displays, sterilization of medical instruments, plasma medicine, water and wastewater treatment, food preservation, agriculture, textile processing, pollution control, hydrogen production, carbon dioxide conversion, advanced coatings, aerospace technologies, and nuclear fusion research. The conference highlighted plasma as a key enabling technology for clean energy, sustainable manufacturing, environmental protection, and improved public health.

The scientific programme featured four plenary lectures, ten keynote lectures, invited talks, industry sessions, student oral presentations, poster presentations, and panel discussions covering laboratory plasmas, plasma diagnostics, fusion science, semiconductor processing, plasma medicine, agriculture, advanced materials, environmental technologies, and industrial plasma applications.

The conference opened with the inaugural plenary lecture by Prof. Anthony Bruce (Tony) Murphy (CSIRO, Australia), "Plasma Applications Using Hydrogen for CO₂ Emission Reduction," highlighting plasma-assisted hydrogen technologies for reducing industrial carbon emissions and enabling sustainable energy systems.

One of the most inspiring highlights was the keynote lecture by Prof. Ram Prakash (IIT Jodhpur), "Plasma Science and Technology for Transitioning the World from a State of FEAR to FAIR." He presented a visionary perspective on how plasma science can transform global challenges into opportunities through cleaner energy, sustainable agriculture, advanced healthcare, environmentally friendly manufacturing, and inclusive technological development. His powerful message of transforming society "From FEAR to FAIR" received widespread appreciation and became one of the defining themes of IPPD 2026.

The conference also featured distinguished plenary lectures by Prof. Eun Ha Choi (Kwangwoon University, South Korea) on plasma for quantum agriculture and environmental sciences, Prof. Tapobrata Som (Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar) on applications of plasma across scientific disciplines, and Prof. Gerard Oscar Rodrigues (Inter-University Accelerator Centre, New Delhi) on global advances in plasma science and fusion energy. Keynote lectures by internationally renowned experts showcased recent developments in fusion plasma, semiconductor technologies, plasma medicine, advanced coatings, nanomaterials, atmospheric plasmas, hydrogen technologies, and industrial plasma processing.

Strong industry participation was another major highlight of IPPD 2026. Dedicated industry sessions facilitated meaningful interactions between researchers and industrial experts, promoting technology transfer and strengthening academia–industry partnerships. Young researchers from premier institutions across the country presented their work through oral and poster sessions, with outstanding presentations receiving awards during the valedictory ceremony.

A memorable feature of the conference was the special felicitation of Prof. A. Ganguli in recognition of his exceptional and pioneering contributions to plasma science and technology. Participants honoured his decades of scientific excellence, visionary leadership, and lasting impact on the global plasma research community.

Concluding the conference, Prof. Bibhuti Bhusan Sahu, Convener of IPPD 2026, thanked the distinguished speakers, delegates, industry partners, sponsors, organizing committee members, volunteers, and participants for making the event a grand success. He emphasized that IPPD 2026 had created a vibrant platform for scientific exchange, international collaboration, and technology development, while reinforcing the transformative role of plasma science in addressing challenges related to clean energy, environmental sustainability, healthcare, agriculture, semiconductor technologies, and advanced manufacturing.

With the successful conclusion of IPPD 2026, IIT Delhi has once again reinforced its position as one of India's leading centres for plasma science and engineering. The conference showcased world-class scientific advancements while strengthening the vision of "Plasma Pravah (प्रवाह): Legacy and Society Initiative," promoting the translation of plasma research into technologies that contribute to a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable, and technologically empowered society.