Globally renowned as the “antenna scientist,” this Indian invented the world’s smallest planar UWB antenna and OAM antenna, which revolutionized the field of wireless communication. This story is about Professor Srikanta Pal, the “Telescope Troubleshooter”.
He was born on December 2, 1967, in Bankura, India. He was really good at his studies, and he even got National scholarships for doing well in exams in 1983 and 1985.
He went to the National Institute of Technology, Warangal, where he studied and got his Bachelor of Technology degree in 1990 with top grades. Then, he went to Jadavpur University, Calcutta, where he got a Master of Engineering degree in 1992 and was the top student in his class.
Dr. Srikanta Pal went to The Oxford University in the UK for his D.Phil. degree in 2003. His research was so good that he got not one, but two merit awards for it.
Dr. Srikanta Pal has made significant contributions to the field of radio astronomy and has gained global recognition for his work. He played a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency of the world’s third-largest telescope, enabling astronomers to capture lunar signals effectively.
Because of this, the University of Birmingham in the UK honored him with the title of honorary research fellow for 2012-2014.
This wasn’t the first big thing Srikanta Pal did. In 2009, he made a device that helped the Green Bank Telescope in the USA see things better too.
Then, in 2017, he made a special antenna that made the internet work much faster and without annoying pauses. This kind of antenna is really important for the future because it can handle the new signals that will come with things like 5G and 6G.
Notably, senior scientists at the Indian Space Research Organization and Defense Research and Development Organization have expressed keen interest in this newly designed antenna.
Beyond his practical contributions, he has actively collaborated with PhD students on important projects, such as the development of the world’s smallest planar UWB antenna for short-range, high-speed communications.
Furthermore, he has published numerous research articles, including topics like Microstructure Control in the Growth of Large Area Tl-2212 Thin Films (IEEE Transactions Applied Superconductivity) and Tunable HTS Microstrip Filters for Microwave Electronics (IEE Electronics Letters).
Dr. Srikanta Pal is a true inspiration for the younger generation.
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