In the realm of sustainable innovation, few names shine as brightly as Ashok Gadgil. Born on November 15, 1950, in Mumbai, India, Gadgil has dedicated his life to leveraging science and technology for the betterment of humanity.
Currently holding the Andrew and Virginia Rudd Family Foundation Distinguished Chair and Professor of Safe Water and Sanitation at the University of California, Berkeley, Gadgil is a luminary in the fields of heat transfer, fluid dynamics, and technology design for development.
Education and Career of Ashok Gadgil
Ashok Gadgil’s journey is marked by a deep commitment to addressing global challenges. Armed with a physics degree from the University of Mumbai and subsequent academic pursuits, including an M.Sc.
from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, Gadgil’s academic foundation became the springboard for a career defined by purpose.
Returning to Berkeley after five years with a non-profit organization in India, Gadgil’s impact resonated in classrooms and research labs. He served as the director of the Energy and Environmental Technologies Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, leaving an indelible mark on the institution from 2009 to 2015.
Research and Publications
Ashok Gadgil’s research spans diverse domains, with a primary focus on energy efficiency and its implementation in developing countries. His extensive body of work includes over 213 papers, cited over 3,805 times, reflecting the depth and breadth of his contributions.
Elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2013, Gadgil’s commitment to engineering solutions for potable water and energy in developing countries is exemplary.
A quote from Ashok Gadgil encapsulates his approach: “Every time there is a wicked problem, we should look for what are the wrong-headed incentives that keep it in place… You need to understand the feedback loops that are often complex and interacting that allow a wicked problem to persist. You need to find a way to cut the Gordian knot.”
Innovative Technologies
Ashok Gadgil’s impact is tangible in the form of transformative technologies. His UV Waterworks, utilizing UV light for affordable water disinfection, has provided safe drinking water for 26-29 million people in India and Africa. Recognized with the Discover Award in 1996, it stands as a testament to Gadgil’s ingenuity.
The Berkeley-Darfur Stove, a low-cost sheet-metal stove, addresses fuelwood scarcity in Darfur, protecting women from potential harm while foraging for fuel. Gadgil’s commitment extends to ElectroChemical Arsenic Removal (ECAR), a groundbreaking technology purifying water above WHO standards at a minimal cost.
Documentaries and Awards
Gadgil’s contributions extend beyond the academic realm, featuring in documentaries such as “Flow: For Love of Water” and “Me and Isaac Newton.” His extensive list of awards, including the 2023 United States National Medal of Technology and Innovation, reflects his standing as a pioneering force in sustainable innovation.
Also Read: Subra Suresh: Architect of Tomorrow’s Scientific Landscape