**Executive Summary**
The High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), DRDO, Pune, conducted a one-day short-term course titled “Modelling of Next Generation High Explosives (NeXT-2026)" on January 8, 2026. The program aimed to foster academic-industrial collaboration in the computational modeling and design of advanced high-energy materials. The course involved 150 delegates from academia, industry, and research establishments.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Course Overview:**
* A one-day short-term course, "Modelling of Next Generation High Explosives (NeXT-2026)", was held on January 8, 2026.
* The course served as an academic-industrial interface to discuss emerging paradigms in computational modeling and design of high-energy materials.
* **Participants:**
* Approximately 150 delegates from academia, industry, and research organizations (including DRDO, ISRO, IITs) participated.
* **Inaugural Session:**
* The inaugural session was graced by Prof. (Dr.) Prateek Kishore, Director General, ACE and Prof. Suresh Gosavi, Vice-Chancellor, Savitribai Phule University, Pune.
* Speakers emphasized the importance of high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, and predictive modeling in developing future energetic materials and enhancing their performance and safety.
* **Course Content:**
* The course included eight expert lectures from scientists, academics, and industry professionals.
* Topics covered molecular modeling, AI-assisted retrosynthesis, material behavior under extreme conditions, and vulnerability assessment.
* **Conclusion:**
* A panel discussion facilitated intellectual exchange and strategic brainstorming on collaborative research.
* The event reaffirmed HEMRL-DRDO's commitment to advancing research capabilities in high-energy materials science and technologies.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Academia, Industry, and Research Establishments (DRDO, ISRO, IITs)**
* **Impact**: The course provided a platform for these stakeholders to collaborate and share knowledge on the modeling and design of next-generation high explosives.
* **Action Required**: Utilize the knowledge and insights gained to contribute to the advancement of high-energy materials science and technologies, fostering future collaborations between DRDO, academia, and industry.
Key Entities Referenced
DRDO: Defence Research and Development Organisation, a research and development wing of the Ministry of Defence, India, involved in the course.
HEMRL: High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, a DRDO laboratory located in Pune that conducted the short-term course.
Pune: The city in India where HEMRL is located and the location of the short-term course.
Ministry of Defence
HEMRL, DRDO, PUNE CONDUCTED A ONE-DAY
SHORT TERM COURSE TITLED “MODELLING
OF NEXT GENERATION HIGH EXPLOSIVES
(NEXT-2026)”
प्रव तथ: 09 JAN 2026 8:22PM by PIB Mumbai
Pune : 9 January 2026
High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), DRDO, Pune conducted a one-
day short term course titled “Modelling of Next Generation High Explosives (NeXT-
2026)” on January 8, 2026. The program was conceived as focused academic-
industrial interface to deliberate upon emerging paradigms in the computational
modeling and design of advanced high-energy materials like explosives and allied
materials. About 150 delegates from academia, industry and research
establishments like DRDO, ISRO, IITs, etc. participated in the program.
The inaugural session was graced by the Chief guest, Prof. (Dr.) Prateek Kishore,
Director General, Armament & Combat Engineering (ACE) and Prof. Suresh Gosavi,
Vice-Chancellor, Savitribai Phule University, Pune. Prof. (Dr.) Prateek Kishore
highlighted the growing significance of high-performance computing, artificial
Intelligence and simulation-driven methodologies in enabling precision-oriented
development of future energetic materials. Dr. A P Dash, Director, HEMRL
emphasized the necessity of predictive modeling frameworks to enhance both
performance metrics and safety characteristics of next-generation explosive
formulations. Dr. M B Talawar, Technology Director, HEMRL briefed the aims and
objectives of the short term course.The course comprised eight expert lectures delivered by eminent scientists,
academicians and industry professionals, covering molecular modeling, AI-assisted
retrosynthesis, material behavior under extreme thermo-mechanical stimuli, and
vulnerability assessment of energetic systems. The program concluded with the
panel discussion that facilitated intellectual exchange and strategic brainstorming on
collaborative research between DRDO, academia and industry. The event reaffirmed
HEMRL-DRDO’s commitment to advancing research capabilities and shaping a robust
roadmap for future developments in high-energy materials science and
technologies.
PIB Pune | Ankush Chavan/ Priti Malandkar
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