Jammu, July 19: In a significant boost to the research ecosystem at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has sanctioned a ₹28 lakh Research Promotion Scheme (RPS) project to the School of Mechanical Engineering. The project, titled "3D Printed Functionally Graded Lattice Structures for Enhanced Energy Absorption and Acoustics for Automotive Applications" will be led by Dr. Ankush Raina, as the Principal Investigator, with Dr. Mir Irfan ul Haq serving as the Co-Principal Investigator. The project will be executed in collaboration with IIT Ropar, NIT Kurukshetra, and an industry partner, bringing together expertise from academia and industry. The project aims to leverage the potential of advanced 3D printing technologies to develop innovative solutions for the automotive sector, with a focus on improving safety, reducing noise, and promoting lightweight, sustainable designs. The collaborative initiative is expected to contribute to the advancement of additive manufacturing research while creating opportunities for technology development and industry engagement. Congratulating the research team, Prof. Pragati Kumar, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, SMVDU, said that securing a nationally competitive AICTE research grant is a proud moment for the University. He commended the efforts of the team for their dedication to high-quality research and for bringing prestigious external funding to SMVDU. Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Ankush Raina thanked AICTE for its support and acknowledged the constant encouragement and guidance provided by the University administration. He noted that the project would not only advance research in additive manufacturing but also provide valuable opportunities for students and young researchers to work on cutting-edge technologies with real-world applications. The successful sanction of the project marks another important milestone in SMVDU's journey towards becoming a hub of research excellence and innovation, by focusing on the contemporary engineering challenges while contributing to national priorities in technology, sustainability, and industrial development.