Dr. Kumar Sonu: Senior Project Engineer at Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India

Dr. Kumar Sonu is a dedicated researcher, educator, and innovator in energy, environmental, and civil engineering, with a strong focus on sustainable solutions for wastewater management and bioenergy generation. Over the past decade, he has developed cutting-edge microbial fuel cell technologies, authored numerous publications, contributed to patents, and provided leadership in academic administration, bridging the gap between research innovation and practical applications for environmental sustainability.

Online Profiles

Google Scholar Profile

Dr. Kumar Sonu has achieved a total of 589 citations, with 583 citations since 2020, reflecting a highly productive and influential recent research period. His h-index of 14 demonstrates that at least 14 of his publications have been cited 14 times or more, indicating consistent academic impact, while his i10-index of 20 shows that 20 of his papers have received 10 or more citations. These metrics highlight the significance and relevance of his contributions, particularly in microbial fuel cells, sustainable wastewater treatment, and bioenergy research.

Education

He earned a PhD in Civil Engineering from Manipal University Jaipur (2021), an M.Tech in Energy & Environmental Engineering from VIT Vellore (2016, First Class Distinction), and a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belgaum (2013, First Class Distinction). His multidisciplinary academic foundation equips him to integrate principles from mechanical, civil, and environmental engineering in addressing energy and sustainability challenges.

Research Focus

Dr. Sonu’s research primarily explores microbial fuel cells, bioelectricity generation, sustainable wastewater treatment, and the upcycling of industrial, agricultural, and municipal waste. His work emphasizes cost-effective, scalable technologies for environmental remediation while simultaneously producing renewable energy, aiming to develop sustainable solutions for both industrial and community-level applications.

Experience

He has extensive experience in academia, research, and industry. He served as Associate Professor and Head of Department at Kashi Institute of Technology, Varanasi, and Senior Project Engineer at IIT Kanpur, overseeing teaching, research, and project administration. In industry, he worked as Assistant Manager at Shree Ram Transport Finance Company Ltd., managing operations and strategic planning. His roles have honed both technical expertise and leadership abilities.

Research Timeline & Activities

Since 2016, Dr. Sonu has actively contributed to advancing microbial fuel cell technologies, with 41 journal publications, 13 conference presentations, three patents, and several book chapters. He has led a DST-funded project on community-based RO plant reject management, participated in international workshops, and supervised student research. His work demonstrates a steady trajectory of innovation, knowledge dissemination, and practical application of engineering research.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Sonu’s achievements include leadership positions such as IIC-President, Dean R&D, and PMKVY Coordinator, recognition for innovation and patent contributions, and peer-review responsibilities for high-impact journals like Chemosphere and Bioresource Technology. He is widely acknowledged for his contributions to research, academic leadership, and promotion of sustainable technologies.

Top Noted Publication

One of his most influential works is “Water hyacinth-assisted Microbial Fuel Cells: A Review on Prospects for Bioenergy and Wastewater Treatment” (Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy, 2025, accepted). This publication highlights his expertise in integrating bioengineering solutions with sustainable energy technologies, demonstrating global relevance in environmental remediation and renewable energy research.

  • Microbial biofilms for environmental bioremediation of heavy metals: a review

    • Authors: Z Syed, M Sogani, J Rajvanshi, K Sonu

    • Journal: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 195(9), 5693–5711, 2023

    • Citations: 59

  • Enhanced decolorization and treatment of textile dye wastewater through adsorption on acid modified corncob derived biochar

    • Authors: K Sonu, M Sogani, Z Syed, A Dongre, G Sharma

    • Journal: ChemistrySelect, 5(39), 12287–12297, 2020

    • Citations: 57

  • Perceiving biobased plastics as an alternative and innovative solution to combat plastic pollution for a circular economy

    • Authors: J Rajvanshi, M Sogani, A Kumar, S Arora, Z Syed, K Sonu, NS Gupta, …

    • Journal: Science of The Total Environment, 874, 162441, 2023

    • Citations: 56

  • Bioelectrochemical systems for environmental remediation of estrogens: a review and way forward

    • Authors: Z Syed, M Sogani, A Dongre, A Kumar, K Sonu, G Sharma, AB Gupta

    • Journal: Science of The Total Environment, 780, 146544, 2021

    • Citations: 50

  • Integrated Constructed Wetland‐Microbial Fuel Cell using Biochar as Wetland Matrix: Influence on Power Generation and Textile Wastewater Treatment

    • Authors: K Sonu, M Sogani, Z Syed

    • Journal: ChemistrySelect, 6(32), 8323–8328, 2021

    • Citations: 39

Kumar Sonu, Engineering, Best Innovator Award