The Hindu : Front Page : Engineer wins Rs. 55 lakh U.S. fellowship

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Friday, Aug 04, 2006

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Engineer wins Rs. 55 lakh U.S. fellowship

Kannal Achuthan

To work on tracking and minimising errors in path of non-linear systems such as missiles

CHENNAI: A city-based engineer, fresh out of college, has won a Rs. 55 lakh fellowship for a doctoral programme in the University of California, Riverside.

R. Arvind, who passed out of Sri Sairam Engineering College, West Tambaram, will join the research team at the university for four years, to work on `applied optimal estimation for non-linear systems.' He will work on tracking and minimising errors in the path of non-linear systems such as missiles.

"For example, in a war zone, you may want to block the high-speed missile sent by the enemy. You need pinpoint accuracy to find the path that the missile will take," explains the electronics and communication student.

Internet search

"I was very interested in tracking missile systems and my final year project was on reducing errors using a combination of inertial navigation systems with GPS. I searched the Internet and found that Prof. Jay A. Farrell of University of California was working on the subject."

His college teachers encouraged his work.

Arvind dreamt of joining Prof. Farrell's research team for his M.S. programme, but the university's offer exceeded his expectations. After looking at his final year project, Prof. Farrell invited him for a Ph.D course supported by the Dean's Distinguished Fellowship award of $1,21,597. The funds cover all his living expenses too.

Arvind, a resident of Pammal, will leave for the U.S. on August 18.

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