Experts highlight the transformative power of carbon technologies at CACM‑2026

The transformative role of advanced carbon materials in water purification, affordable healthcare technologies and cutting‑edge research — ranging from carbon nano materials to porous carbons and graphene-based systems — is enabling breakthroughs in sustainability and strategic sectors, said IIT-Kanpur chair professor and former Department of Science and Technology (DST) Secretary Ashutosh Sharma on Wednesday.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the three‑day ‘Conference on Advanced Carbon Materials (CACM‑2026)’ at the BITS-Pilani, Hyderabad campus, he emphasised the need for interdisciplinary research, stronger industry–academia collaboration, and policy support to fully harness carbon technologies for national development.

Organised by the Indian Carbon Society, Hyderabad Chapter in association with the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI), the event — held under the theme “Transforming India with Sustainable Carbon Technologies” — brought together leading scientists, industry experts, policymakers and students to explore the growing potential of advanced carbon materials.

ARCI director R. Vijay highlighted the critical role of carbon in driving technological progress across sectors. Organising committee chairman P. K. Jain, convenor Sanjay R. Dhage and others also addressed the gathering. A short film titled Carbon’s Odyssey: From Flame to Frontier was screened at the ceremony. The release of a Book of Abstracts, along with a poster presentation and technology exhibition, marked the first day of the conference, according to a press release.