LSBU highlights potential of nature-inspired innovation in India
An academic from London South Bank University’s (LSBU) School of Engineering and Design is leading the campaign to inspire the next generation of engineers in India through a series of talks that explored how nature can shape cutting-edge solutions to global challenges.
Saurav Goel, professor of manufacturing, spoke to students, academics and industry leaders in Kolkata and Jamshedpur as part of the British Council GREAT Talks tour.
His sessions explored how natural structures ranging from lotus leaves to cicada wings are shaping innovations in healthcare and other sectors.
The talks focused on nature-inspired surfaces useful for medical implants, a breakthrough area of research led by Professor Goel and his team. These surfaces mimic self-cleaning and bacterial-killing properties, potentially combating one of healthcare’s biggest challenges: eradicating bacterial infection in implants that often lead to painful episodes of repeat surgeries.
Showcasing British research excellence
The British Council chose Professor Goel as one of only a handful of UK academics to participate in the prestigious GREAT Talks series, which aims to strengthen educational ties and showcase British research excellence. For LSBU, the tour also reinforced its commitment to international collaboration and its strong links with India — one of the University’s largest international student communities.
During the tour, Professor Goel visited six schools and three universities, including La Martiniere for Girls in Kolkata and Little Flower School in Jamshedpur, both known for their excellence. Students engaged enthusiastically, asking imaginative questions about future technologies and sustainability.
One standout question explored whether nature-inspired methods could enable plants to communicate like Wi-Fi signals in remote areas. Professor Goel described the experience as ‘super engaging’, adding that the depth of talent was remarkable: “It was inspiring to see how curious and creative these young minds are. Some of their questions showed real potential for future innovation,” he said.
“Harnessing ideas from nature allows us to address real-world challenges in healthcare and beyond. Sharing this vision with students in India was a privilege.”
Building bridges for future collaboration
The visit also included a talk at the renowned Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, India’s first IIT and home to Centre of Excellence in Advanced Manufacturing Technology, who announced on LinkedIn: “We were delighted to host Professor Goel at our Centre of Excellence. His multidisciplinary research on bioinspired manufacturing and surface engineering was engaging and inspiring for our scholars. We look forward to further collaboration in these domains.”
Following a successful week of events, it is hoped that the tour will be the start of further collaborations between LSBU and British Council India, as well as with the schools, universities and institutes Professor Goel visited including the likes of Jadavpur University, Calcutta University, IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and IIT Kharagpur.
“It was fantastic to experience at first hand Professor Goel’s expertise, passion and networks for advanced manufacturing, which is a priority in India-UK bilateral relations and sits at the heart of Vision 2035 agreed between our two countries,” said Dr Debanjan Chakrabarti, Director British Council, East and Northeast India.
“The GREAT Talks series is about connecting brilliant minds across borders. Professor Goel’s sessions demonstrated the creativity and impact of UK research, inspiring students in India to see engineering as a discipline that can solve global challenges,” he added.
By sharing LSBU’s research and vision for engineering as a creative, problem-solving discipline, the GREAT Talks tour has opened new pathways for collaboration and inspired young minds to see science through the lens of nature. LSBU looks forward to building on these connections to shape a sustainable future for global engineering.