Dr. K. Bhanu Sankara Rao, Pratt & Whitney Chair Professor at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) is selected for the Dr. Kondal Rao Memorial Award. He was felicitated by Dr. Dashrath, Director Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Dr. S.K. Jha, Chairman and Managing Director, MIDHANI and Dr. Jaiteerth Joshi, Project Director, DRDL and Chairman, Indian Society for Non-destructive Testing (ISNT) Hyderabad Chapter at the Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) Auditorium, Hyderabad

Dr. K. Bhanu Sankara Rao
On this occasion Dr. Bhanu Sankara Rao delivered an illuminating lecture on the “Indigenous Development of Ferritic-Martensitic Steels and Fabrication Technologies for Fusion Reactor (ITER) which was live telecasted where 400 people have listened on-line.
Dr. K. Bhanu Sankara Rao joined University of Hyderabad on invitation in 2009, and served as Professor and Dean during 2009-2012. Under his guidance, the School of Engineering Sciences and Technology (SEST) was established with excellent credentials for post graduate education and research in Materials Engineering, Manufacturing Process Development and Nano Science and Technology. He advocated on carrying out direct basic research work leading to application in industry. Very recently, he has been associated with the faculty and students of SEST in developing Friction Stir Welding technology for the Indian RAFM steel. All his research contributions were towards achieving self-reliance in the production of components for critical applications.
About Dr. K. Bhanu Sankara Rao:
Dr. Bhanu Sankara Rao is a dedicated researcher and is internationally known expert in the development of high temperature materials, their fabrication technologies and assessment of their Physical and Mechanical Metallurgy. Dr. Rao provided excellent R&D support in metallurgy for the development of Fast Breeder Reactor technology in India while working in DAE at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, Kalpakkam during 1977-2009. Dr. Rao has made significant and outstanding research contributions towards development of structural, core and steam generator materials of interest to fast breeder reactors and has also been associated with the development of reduced activation ferritic-martensitic steels for the Indian Test Blanket module of International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) being built in France.
Dr. Bhanu Sankara Rao has been a consistent performer in creating world class research in frontier areas of materials engineering and technology. He received Platinum Medal (the highest award) from Indian Institute of Metals in 2016, National Metallurgist award from Ministry of Steel in 2012 in Research and Academia category, Best Metallurgist Award from Ministry of Steel in 1995, G.D. Birla Gold Medal from the Indian Institute of Metals in 2004, Binani Gold Medal (1991), SAIL Gold Medal (2000, 2004) from the Indian Institute of Metals. He was bestowed with NASA APPRECIATION AWARD of USA for his meritorious accomplishments towards solving several critical problems related to aerospace materials in 1994. He received several awards from Indian Institute of Welding and Materials Research society of India.
About Dr. Nidamarty Kondal Rao:
Dr. Nidamarty Kondal Rao was instrumental in setting up of the Nuclear Fabrication Facilities at Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) Hyderabad and was its first Chief Executive from 1975 through the date of his retirement in 1984. The diversified innovations and pioneering contributions of Dr. Rao helped India to be self-reliant in the field of nuclear power. Indian Society for Non-Destructive Testing (ISNT) organises Dr. Kondal Rao Memorial Lecture on 15th July every year and honour one of the eminent persons in the Science and Technology field. ISNT Hyderabad Chapter has bestowed Dr. N. Kondal Rao Memorial Award on Dr. Bhanu Sankara Rao, Pratt and Whitney Chair at School of Engineering Sciences and Technology, University of Hyderabad, for the year 2020.