Avisekh graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), India, where he built a strong foundation in mechanical systems, design, and manufacturing. Following his graduation, he worked for four years in the waste management sector Ramky Enviro Engineer’s Ltd., serving in the operation and maintenance (O&M) department of a large municipal waste handling operation. This period gave him deep insight into the challenges of waste segregation, equipment reliability, throughput optimization, and regulatory compliance in real-world environments.
During his time in the field, he managed complex systems that included mechanical sorting lines, composting units, bio-digesters, and other waste treatment infrastructure. He oversaw daily plant operations, collaborated with technical and municipal teams, and contributed to strategic decisions around asset maintenance and process improvements. This experience shaped his practical understanding of how waste systems operate on the ground – knowledge that continues to inform his academic and applied research today.

Currently at NCSU, Avisekh is working on a U.S. Department of Energy (DoE)-funded research project focused on developing a smart conveyor-based waste characterization system. His research involves the integration of visual and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) cameras, automation technologies, and artificial intelligence to enable real-time identification and sorting of recyclable materials. As part of this project, he is leading the effort to scale down a 56-ton AI-driven Material Recovery Facility (MRF) into a compact 1-ton modular facility, incorporating robotic sorting arms, optimized conveyors, and smart control logic – a model that holds strong potential for commercialization in smaller municipalities and private sector waste operations.

Avisekh’s technical toolkit spans SolidWorks, CATIA, Ansys (for design and structural analysis), Python and MATLAB (for simulation and data analysis), and Simio (for discrete-event system modeling). His unique ability to transition seamlessly between conceptual system design and practical field implementation makes him particularly effective in bridging R&D and deployment.

As an emerging expert in sustainable waste system design and intelligent recycling technologies, he brings a rare combination of field-tested operations experience and research-driven innovation. His background makes him especially suited to advise startups focused on developing smart waste processing solutions, circular economy models, or resource recovery technologies. His guidance can help ensure that products or systems are not only technically sound but also aligned with real-world constraints, user needs, and operational realities.

Whether in a strategic advisory role or as a technical collaborator, Avisekh Kumar Tripathy offers a grounded yet forward – looking perspective essential for building the next generation of environmentally sustainable waste management solutions.