Sustainability is all about solving problems that can improve supply chains, optimize  processes, and use AI to make better decisions that have a positive impact on our planet.

Akhil Dilipkumar, our next pathbreaker, works as Research Intern at Bry-Air, an organization that has been at the forefront of dehumidification and industrial air treatment technologies.

Akhil talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about his PhD research that looked at using special materials at a very  tiny (molecular) level, that can “trap” CO₂ from gases.

For students, failure is normal: don’t stop because of it  Start early: do small projects, explore. Most importantly: You don’t need to have  everything figured out right now.  

Akhil, Your background  ?

I grew up in India in a family that valued education and  curiosity. From a young age, I was always interested  in understanding how things work, especially in  chemical science.  

In school, I enjoyed subjects like physics, chemistry, and  math. I also liked solving problems and thinking creatively.  Along with studies, I took part in activities that helped me  build confidence and teamwork.  

My parents supported me, but they didn’t force me into a  specific career. Instead, they encouraged me to explore  and think independently. Looking back, my early curiosity  about science and real-world problems played a big role  in shaping my career.  

What did you do for graduation/post graduation?  

I pursued my graduation in chemical engineering, where  I focused on designing and building systems work in the  real world.  

Later, I continued with higher studies, where I specialized  in areas like sustainability, materials, and processes for  carbon capture. This helped me go deeper into solving  real-world problems, especially in areas like energy and  sustainability. 

I also completed my PhD in Chemical Engineering from  National University of Singapore (NUS). 

What led you to an offbeat, unconventional and unique carer in chemical engineering?

I was influenced by the idea that science can solve real world problems like climate change, with a focus on energy and food systems.  

Some professors and mentors played a big role. They  showed me how research and industry can create real impact.  

During my studies, I realized that many global problems like pollution and energy consumption need smart, scientific solutions.  

One key turning point was when I started working on real  projects and internships. That’s when I understood that I enjoy solving complex problems and building solutions.  

I’ve always been very curious about how things work,  especially in science. Even during my school days, I was  fascinated by scientists and research, which made me quite sure early on that I wanted to pursue a PhD. I liked the idea of going deep into a problem and creating new knowledge, not just studying what already exists. 

I chose Singapore mainly for two reasons. First, it’s close to  India, so travel and staying connected with family is much easier. Second, the academic system is globally well respected, and the environment is structured but not too culturally different, which made the transition smoother. 

I initially enrolled as a Master’s student, and later converted  it into a direct PhD track (a 2+2 structure). The conversion wasn’t automatic, it required clearing two key milestones: a  Comprehensive Qualifying Exam (CQE) and an Oral  Qualifying Exam (OQE). Along with that, I had to  demonstrate strong research progress in the early stages  and receive good support and evaluation from my supervisor. 

So overall, it was a mix of early clarity, the right  environment, and proving myself through consistent work in  the initial years. 

How did you plan your career path? 

Honestly, there was no perfect plan, but there was a clear approach. I did not focus on the results but on  the process. Discipline and consistency is the key.  

I focused on learning skills that are useful for the future  like problem-solving, data analysis, and understanding systems.  

I started with internships where I learned practical  skills. Each experience helped me understand what  I liked and what I didn’t.

Yes, there was a gap of about a year between my BTech  and starting my PhD, mainly due to COVID-related travel  restrictions. I used that time productively by enrolling in several online courses (for example, on platforms like  Coursera) to strengthen my skills, especially in areas like  data science and sustainability. I also worked on writing a  few review papers, which helped me improve my research  and scientific writing skills. 

During my undergraduate studies, I was already involved  in applied research. One of my key projects was on developing AI-based models for dye degradation using  image processing. This gave me early exposure to  combining engineering with real-world environmental  problems. 

Regarding funding, my PhD was supported through a  scholarship, which typically covers tuition and provides a  stipend. This support is usually based on academic  performance, research potential, and the fit with the  research program. 

I also explored internships and research-oriented work  during my studies, which helped me understand how  theoretical knowledge can be applied to practical  challenges. 

I chose to do a PhD to go deeper into research and innovation. My PhD focuses on solving one big real-world problem: climate change. 

A major cause of climate change is the release of carbon  dioxide (CO₂) from industries like power plants and  factories. So the question I worked on is: How can we  capture this CO₂ before it goes into the atmosphere? 

My research looks at using special materials called porous materials. You can think of them like sponges at a very  tiny (molecular) level, they can “trap” CO₂ from gases. But just having a material is not enough. The real  challenge is: 

Can we design a process that works efficiently?

Can it be scaled up to work in real factories?

Can it be retrofitted, meaning added to existing  industrial plants without rebuilding everything?

So my work is a combination of: 

• Designing and selecting the right materials

• Building models to understand how they work

• Creating processes that industries can actually use 

The goal is not just theory, but to develop solutions that  can be realistically implemented to reduce emissions and  help fight climate change.

I spoke to people in the field, asked questions, and stayed  curious. Networking helped me learn faster.  

How did you get your first break?  

My first break came through a combination of preparation  and opportunity.  

I worked hard on building my skills, and when an  opportunity came (like an internship or project), I was  ready.  

The key was: don’t wait to be perfect, start early and  learn on the go. Just keep trying and work hard but in a  smart way.  

What were some of the challenges you faced? How  did you address them?  

Challenge 1: Not knowing the “right path”  

I was sometimes confused about what to choose. I  explored different options and learned by doing  

Challenge 2: Competition  

Many talented people in the same field. I focused on  building unique skills and consistency  

Challenge 3: Handling failure or rejection  

Not every opportunity worked out. I treated failures as  learning experiences and kept moving forward  

Where do you work now?

Currently, I work as a researcher and consultant  collaborating with institutions and companies to expand  my networking portfolio.  

Bry-Air is basically a company that focuses on controlling  air, especially removing moisture from it. It might sound  simple, but in many industries, moisture is actually a big  problem. 

For example, if you’re making medicines, electronics, or  even batteries, even a small amount of moisture can damage the product or reduce its quality. So companies  need very controlled environments to manufacture properly. 

What Bry-Air does is design and manufacture systems like  dehumidifiers and air treatment units that help maintain the  right humidity and air conditions. 

Their customers are mainly industries like pharmaceuticals,  food processing, electronics, and now increasingly battery  manufacturing basically places where quality and safety  depend heavily on controlled environments. 

What problems do you solve?  

The core problem they solve is pretty straightforward: they  prevent moisture-related issues. Without proper air control,  products can fail, spoil, or even become unsafe. So Bry-Air  helps industries run reliably by making sure the  environment they operate in is exactly what they need.

How does your work benefit society?

I work on solving problems related to sustainability, and  energy systems like improving supply chains, optimizing  processes, and using AI to make better decisions.  

My work is a direct application of chemical engineering and my PhD work. 

For example, one problem I’ve worked on is optimizing  systems where we separate or capture gases like CO₂ from industrial streams. In chemical engineering, this  comes under separation processes, but in my work, I take  it a step further by building models to make these systems  more efficient. 

I use principles like mass transfer and thermodynamics  (from chemical engineering), and combine them with data driven approaches or AI to optimize how the system  operates like deciding the best operating conditions or  improving overall efficiency. 

Another example is in supply chains especially in areas like agriculture or energy where I model the entire process  (from production to delivery) and identify where losses or  inefficiencies happen. Then I use optimization techniques  to improve performance. 

So yes, it’s very much rooted in chemical engineering  fundamentals, but extended into real-world systems using  tools like modelling, simulation, and AI.

Skills needed:  

-Problem-solving  

-Analytical thinking  

-Basic coding/data skills  

-Communication  

I learned these through college, projects, and online  courses.  

Typical day:  

No two days are the same! But waking up early is  something I do not compromise.  

What I love about my job:  

My work helps in making systems more efficient and  sustainable, for example:  

-Better pollution capture systems  

-Cleaner energy solutions  

This can help improve the environment and people’s lives. 

A memorable project?  

One project that is close to me is working on solutions  that connect agriculture and technology where we try to  improve how food is grown and delivered. 

It felt meaningful because it directly impacts farmers and  society.  

Your advice to students ? 

-Be curious: ask why and how  

-Don’t be afraid to try different things  

-Focus on learning skills, not just marks  

-Failure is normal: don’t stop because of it  

-Start early: do small projects, explore 

-Most importantly: You don’t need to have  everything figured out right now.  

Future plans ? 

I want to continue working on solving large-scale  real-world problems, especially in sustainability,  and energy.  

I also want to build solutions that can create impact not  just in one place, but globally.