Man Mohan Sharma | |
|---|---|
 Sharma (in the middle) at the convocation ofDr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University. | |
| Born | (1937-05-01)1 May 1937 (age 88) |
| Alma mater | Institute of Chemical Technology Cambridge University |
| Awards | •Padma Vibhushan (2001) •Padma Bhushan (1987) •Leverhulme Medal (1996) •Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (1973) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemical Engineering |
| Institutions | Institute of Chemical Technology |
Man Mohan Sharma (born 1 May 1937) is an Indianchemical engineer.[1] He was educated at Jodhpur,Mumbai, andCambridge. At age 27, he was appointed Professor of Chemical Engineering in theInstitute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai.[2] He later went on to become the Director ofUDCT, the first chemical engineering professor to do so from UDCT.
In 1990, he became the first Indian engineer to be elected as a Fellow ofRoyal Society, UK. He was awarded thePadma Bhushan (1987) and thePadma Vibhushan (2001) by thePresident of India.[3] he has also been awarded theLeverhulme Medal of the Royal Society, theS.S. Bhatnagar Prize in Engineering Sciences (1973), FICCI Award (1981), the Vishwakarma medal of theIndian National Science Academy (1985), G.M. Modi Award (1991), Meghnad Saha Medal (1994), and an honorary Doctor of Science degree fromIndian Institute of Technology, Delhi (2001).[2]
Sharma obtained Bachelor of Chemical Engineering (1958) fromUDCT and subsequently MSc (Tech) in 1960. He obtained PhD (Chemical Engineering) (1964) atCambridge University withPeter Danckwerts. In 1964, he returned to India as Professor at the University of Bombay, and later became Director of the University Department of Chemical Technology (UDCT) (now theInstitute of Chemical Technology).[4] He served as Professor for 33 years at UDCT, along with 8 years as Director of this institute.[1]
Sharma made contributions to chemical engineering science and technology. His studies on Bronsted based catalysis in CO2 hydration (published in the Transactions of Faraday Society) and subsequently kinetics of COS absorption in aqueous amines and alkanolamines brought out linear free energy relationship between CO2 and COS absorption in solutions of amines and alkanolamines. He has contributed extensively on the role of microphases in multiple reactions which he pioneered. He also became an independent Editor of Chemical Engineering Science at a young age. He taught different subjects in chemical engineering and encouraged his doctoral students, from the very beginning, to publish independently their work in renowned journals.
Under his stewardship, UDCT was granted autonomy by theUGC and the Institute increased the number of PhD graduates.[1]
In June 2025, a biographical book titledDivine Scientist[5] was published, chronicling thelife and contributions of Professor Man Mohan Sharma.[6] The book, authored by Anita Patil and published bySundaram Digital Publication House, highlights Prof. Sharma's academic journey, pioneering research inchemical engineering, and his role in shaping scientific education in India.[7][8][9] The biography was launched at theInstitute of Chemical Technology (ICT),Mumbai, where he served as Director for many years.[10][11][5]
The book has also been translated into Marathi by Soniya Khare, expanding its accessibility to regional readers.[12]
Sharma is a recipient of a number of prestigious academic honours and awards including the 1977 Moulton Medal of theInstitution of Chemical Engineers,[13] and is himself commemorated in theM M Sharma Medal awarded by the same institution for outstanding research contributions.[14]
He won theLeverhulme Medal of theRoyal Society "for his work on the dynamics of multi-phase chemical reactions in industrial processes". He was awarded thePadma Vibhushan (in 2001), andPadma Bhushan (in 1987) by the President of India.[15] He was INSA President (1989–90).[15] He is a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, Honorary Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad, Fellow of the Royal Society, London. Subsequently, he was elected HonoraryFellow by theRoyal Academy of Engineering[16] and is Foreign Associate of the USNational Academy of Engineering.
He has been honoured by several universities including IITs by honorary doctorates.[citation needed]
In 2025, Sharma's biography written by Anita Patil, titled The Divine Scientist, was released in English andMarathi (Gurunam Guruhu).[7] During this book launch ceremony, his former studentMukesh Ambani announced an unrestricted gift of₹151crore (equivalent toUS$16.7 million) to the Institute of Chemical Technology to honor Sharma.[17][8][18]
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