About Me
Dr. Thilagan K. is a dedicated researcher specializing in solar energy and desalination systems. With a Ph.D. from IIT Madras, his work focuses on innovative solutions for sustainable water purification using renewable energy. He has published extensively in high-impact journals and presented at international conferences. Dr. Thilagan is a member of prestigious organizations like the International Solar Energy Society and the Indian Desalination Association.
Education
Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
2018 - 2025Thesis: Experimental Investigation on Solar-Driven Multi-Effect Compact Sea Water Desalination System
M.S. (By Research)
CEG Guindy Campus, Anna University
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
2014 - 2017Thesis: Studies on Drying of Leafy Vegetables Using Modified Solar Evacuated Tube Collectors
B.E., Mechanical Engineering
Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering
Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu
2010 - 2014Employment History
Post Doctoral Researcher
Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras
Oct 2025 - PresentPost Doctoral Fellow
Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras
May 2025 - Sep 2025Senior Project Scientist
Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras
Mar 2025 - Apr 2025Project Officer
Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras
Apr 2023 - Dec 2024Project Officer
Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras
Nov 2017 - Mar 2020Project Associate
Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras
Aug 2017 - Oct 2017Project Associate
Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Madras
Sep 2016 - Apr 2017Publications
Journal Articles
K. Thilagan, S. Advaith, and A. Mani, "Simulation studies and experimental validation on solar multi effect desalination system," Solar Compass, vol. 13, pp. 100–110, Mar. 2025. DOI: 10.1016/j.solcom.2025.100110
M. Annamalai and K. Thilagan, "Experimental studies on solar multi-effect sea water desalination system," Solar Energy, vol. 259, pp. 246–256, Jul. 2023. DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2023.05.004
P. Raghu, K. Thilagan, M. Thirumoorthy, S. Lokachari, and N. Nallusamy, "Spray Characteristics of Diesel and Biodiesel in Direct Injection Diesel Engine," Advanced Materials Research, vol. 768, pp. 173–179, Sep. 2013. DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.768.173
Conference Proceedings
Prakash K., Thilagan K., Advaith S., and Srikrishna Sahu, "Thermodynamic and Performance analysis of an energy-efficient low-temperature grey water treatment system," in 8th International Conference on Polygeneration (ICP2025), 2025
Thilagan K., Advaith S., and Mani A., "Experimental Studies on Compact Desalination System," in 8th International Conference on Polygeneration (ICP2025), 2025
Thilagan K., Advaith S., and Mani A., "Simulation studies and experimental validation on solar multi-effect desalination system in Kanyakumari," in 8th National and 2nd International Conference on Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Chennai, India, 2024, pp. 1–9
Thilagan K., and Annamalai M., "Experimental studies on solar multi-effect desalination system," in ISES and IEA SHC International Conference on Solar Energy for Buildings and Industry, 2022, pp. 846–857. DOI: 10.18086/eurosun.2022.09.01
Thilagan K., and Annamalai M., "Falling Film Measurements using High Speed Camera and High Speed Infra-Red Camera," in ISES and IEA SHC International Conference on Solar Energy for Buildings and Industry, 2022, pp. 858–868. DOI: 10.18086/eurosun.2022.09.02
Thilagan K., and Mani A., "Heat and mass transfer studies on falling film over metal foam layered horizontal tubes in MED system using high speed and high speed infra-red cameras," in International Symposium on Compact Solar Desalination and Cold Storage Systems, Chennai, India, 2022
Thilagan K., Sivakumar R., and Saravanan R., "Energy analysis of thin layer drying of moringa leaf using solar evacuated finned tube collectors," in National Conference on Large Scale Multi-Disciplinary Systems of National Significance, Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, 2016
Thilagan K., Elaya Perumal A., and Saravanan R., "Energy analysis of thin layer drying of tomato using solar evacuated finned tube collectors," in 4th National Conference on Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, 2015
Raghu P., Thilagan K., Thirumoorthy M., Lokachari S., and Nallusamy N., "Spray Characteristics of Diesel and Biodiesel in Direct Injection Diesel Engine," in International Conference on Energy Efficient Technologies for Sustainability, St. Xavier's Catholic College of Engineering, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, India, Apr. 2013
Patent
Advaith S., Srikrishna Sahu, Prakash Koundinyan, Thilagan K. and Thileepan Panchatsaram, "A system and a method for energy-efficient low temperature greywater treatment," in IP No. 202641045609, 2026 [Filed]
Skills & Expertise
💻 Programming & Coding
🛠️ Software & Tools
🌐 Languages
🔬 Research Areas
Awards & Recognition
Early Stage Researcher
University Rovira I Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
March 2015Organizing Committee Member
Workshop on Natural Refrigerants for Sustainable Heating and Cooling, IIT Madras
February 2026Organizing Committee Member
Workshop on Natural Refrigerants-based HVAC&R Systems, IIT Madras
April 2025Organizing Committee Member
8th National and 2nd International Conference on Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, IIT Madras
March 2024News & Media Coverage
IIT-M's solar-powered unit aims at 10K litres of potable water per day
The Times of India, Chennai | June 2025
Discusses IIT Madras's solar-powered desalination unit targeting a capacity of 10,000 litres of potable water daily.
Read Article →IIT Madras has developed a solar-powered desalination system
IIT Madras LinkedIn | 2025
Highlights the development of a solar-powered desalination system that converts seawater into clean drinking water using only renewable energy.
Read Article →A Solar Multi-Effect Desalination Success!
IIT Madras Tech Talk | 2025
Features the success of a solar multi-effect desalination system developed at IIT Madras for producing fresh water.
Read Article →First plant to convert seawater into potable water using solar energy
Polimer News | 2021
Showcases the first solar-powered plant in India to convert seawater into potable water, developed by IIT Madras.
Watch Video →Solar Multi-effect Desalination Stand Alone System
InDA, Mumbai | February 2020
Details a stand-alone solar multi-effect desalination system developed for sustainable water production.
IIT-Madras sets up India's 1st solar-powered desalination plant
The Times of India, Chennai | March 2019
Reports on IIT Madras establishing India's first solar-powered desalination plant for clean water production.
Read Article →Get in Touch
Contact Information
Address
A-3/7 Cee Dee Yes Enclave, Taramani Link Road
Tansi Nagar, Velachery, Chennai
Tamil Nadu, India - 600042
Phone
+91-9445492154