Amitabha Bhattacharyya obtained his PhD degree (1962) from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. His specialization was in mechanical engineering (machine tools) and production engineering. He was Professor, Jadavpur University and Director, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.

Academic and Research Achievements: Bhattacharyya did pioneering work in metal cutting involving analysis of chip formation, diffusion wear of cutting tools, and design of new geometry of cutting tools to increase productivity during high-speed machining. He developed a number of new drills, new designs of hobs, including split-edge drills, and a modified Kolesor high-production tool. He also developed a completely new indigenous design of EDM, USM and AJM machines. Bhattacharyya worked extensively on the static and dynamic rigidity of machine tool frames and developed new techniques for assessing performance of machine tools. He also developed and investigated the performance of new ceramics (TaN, Fr, Bz) and Glan ceramics for metal removal. He published 12 books / monographs.

Other Contributions: Bhattacharyya created the Department of Production Engineering in Jadavpur University. He edited Proceedings of two Conferences and was a Member of Editorial Board of Technovation.

Awards and Honours: Bhattacharyya was the recipient of Mouat Gold Medal of University of Calcutta (1963); President of India Gold Medal (1966); FIE Award; Sir RN Mukherjee Gold Medal (1966); KF Antia Memorial Prize of Institution of Engineers, India (1971); Chandra Prakash Memorial Prize; Sir Walter Pluckey Memorial Award; and SS Bhatnagar Prize (1971). He was a Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering; National Academy of Sciences (India), Allahabad; and Institution of Engineers, India (President, 1976-78). He was an elected Fellow of International Institution of Production Engineering Research, Paris; and a Member of American Society of Mechanical Engineering and Institution of Production Engineers (London).