14th and 15th December 2026 | Shillong, Meghalaya, India
3rd International Workshop on Cold Plasma and Pulse Power Technologies for Food, Health and Agriculture
COFHA 2026 brings together scientists, engineers, academicians and young researchers working in cold plasma and pulse power technologies. The workshop explores applications in food safety, agriculture, health, sterilization and environmental sustainability. The event features invited lectures, oral and poster presentations, networking opportunities and discussions on emerging plasma technologies.
Workshop Key Themes
Topics
- Cold Plasma in Agriculture
- Food Safety and Preservation
- Biomedical Plasma Applications
- Pulse Power Technologies
- Plasma Sterilization
- Environmental Applications
- Plasma Chemistry, Physics and Associated Low Temperature Plasma Applications
- Plasma Diagnostics and Devices (PDD)
- Other relevant plasmas
Timeline and fees
Important Dates
Registration Fee
International Delegates: USD 220
Indian Delegates: INR 3500
The workshop will include invited talks, oral presentations, poster sessions, networking opportunities and discussions on emerging cold plasma technologies. Awards will be given for the best oral and poster presentations.
In collaboration with NECTAR and PSSI
About the Workshop
The 3rd International Workshop on Cold-plasma and pulse power technologies for Food, Health and Agriculture (COFHA-2026) will be organized by NECTAR, an autonomous institute under DST, Government of India, in association with The Plasma Science Society of India (PSSI), during 14th-15th December 2026.
This workshop will provide a common platform for interaction among scientists, engineers and young researchers working in the area of Cold Plasma Technologies particularly for food, health and agriculture. The two-day international workshop will consist of invited talks from expert scientists as well as presentations by participants in oral and poster sessions.
Atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium cold plasmas and related pulse power technologies have cutting-edge uses in biology, medicine, food, agriculture and the environment. Such plasmas can help eliminate spores, biofilms, bacteria, yeasts, molds and other hazardous microbes without high gas temperatures.
Cold plasmas have significant potential for growing plants, preserving food quality and safety, and enabling bio-decontamination and sterilization of surfaces, water, air, food and living tissues.
About NECTAR
North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) is an autonomous institute established in 2012 under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, with headquarters at Shillong, Meghalaya.
NECTAR harnesses and leverages niche frontier technologies available with central scientific departments and institutions for the development of the eight states of the North Eastern Region, including applications in biodiversity, watershed management, telemedicine, horticulture, infrastructure planning, tele-schooling, employment generation and skill development.
About PSSI
The Plasma Science Society of India (PSSI) is a professional scientific organization established in 1978, with its registered office at the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad, aimed at promoting and advancing plasma science and technology in India.
PSSI serves as a national platform for scientists, engineers, researchers and students from academia, industry and government institutions to collaborate and exchange knowledge in plasma physics, including theoretical and experimental research.
Sponsorship Package
Sponsorship Details
Abstract submission and registration
Templates and Registration Forms
Use the following resources extracted from the provided site export. Abstract submission starts on 15 July 2026 and closes on 25 September 2026.
Speakers and workshop leadership
COFHA INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM
Prof. Koichi Takaki
Iwate University, Japan
Chair
Prof. Kazunori Koga
Kyushu University, Japan
Vice Chair
Prof. Eric Robert
CNRS/GREMI/Universite d'Orleans, France
Vice Chair
WORKSHOP COORDINATORS
Convenor
Dr. Arun Kumar Sarma
DG, NECTAR
Co-Convenor
Mr. Mukesh Mathur
Scientist F, NECTAR
Co-Convenor
Mr. Rajendra Jena
CGO, NECTAR
Committee
International Advisory Committee
Prof. P. I. John, Ex-Professor and Head, FCIPT-IPR, India
Prof. Abhijeet Sen, Emeritus Professor IPR, Gandhinagar, India
Mr. Pravin Shirse, Country President India, Oerlikon Balzers India
Prof. Rajdeep Singh Rawat, National Technological University, Singapore
Dr. Tapas Ganguli, Director, IPR, Gandhinagar
Prof. Roman Schrittwieser, University of Innsbruck
Prof. Kazunori Koga, Kyushu University, Japan
Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, ANRF
Prof. Hiromasa Tanaka, Nagoya University, Japan
Dr. Georgi Trenchev, Antwerp University, Belgium
Dr. Fabrice Gourbilleau, Research Director, CNRS France
Dr. Paul Scheier, University of Innsbruck
Dr. Nozomi Takeuchi, School of Engineering, Institute of Science Tokyo
Prof. Toshiyuki Kawasaki, Nishinippon Institute of Technology, Japan
Prof. Eric Robert, CNRS/GREMI/Universite d'Orleans, France
Prof. Eun Ha Choi, Director, PBRC, Kwangwoon University, Seoul
Prof. Joanna Pawlat, Lublin University of Technology, Poland
Dr. Codrina Ionita-Schrittwieser, University of Innsbruck
Dr. Raju Khanal, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Prof. Amita Das, IIT Delhi
Dr. Katsuyuki Takahashi, Associate Professor, Iwate University
Prof. Vandana Miller, M.D., Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA
Prof. Dan-Gheorghe Dimitriu, University of Iasi (UAIC), Romania
Dr. Johannes Gruenwald, University of Graz, Austria
Prof. Yun-Chien Cheng, NYCU, Taiwan
Prof. Ishikawa Kenji, Nagoya University, Japan
Prof. Michael Keidar, George Washington University, USA
Prof. Koichi Takaki, Iwate University, Japan
Prof. Zdenko Machala, Comenius University Bratislava, Slovakia
Dr. Pradoong Suanpoot, Maejo University Phrae Campus, Thailand
Prof. Ram Prakash, IIT Jodhpur, Coordinator, COFHA International Consortium
Prof. Pankaj Attri, Associate Professor, Kyushu University, Co-coordinator, COFHA International Consortium
Prof. Nagendra Kumar Kaushik, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, South Korea, Co-coordinator, COFHA International Consortium
National and Organizing Committee Members
Mr. Sunil Kumar, IFS, Addl. Sec. & AI Head, DST, Govt. of India
Patron
Prof. Ashok K. Das, OSHEC, Bhubaneshwar
Dr. Sudhir Kumar Nema, FCIPT-IPR, Gandhinagar
Dr. S. R. Mohanty, Professor-G, Director, CPP-IPR
Prof. B. K. Saikia, CPP-IPR, Guwahati
Prof. Ramesh Narayanan, IIT Delhi
Dr. Konga Gopikrishna, Scientist F, AI Division, DST, Govt. of India
Dr. Usha Dixit, Scientist-F, DST, Govt. of India
Venkat Ramani, Director, Aditya High Vacuum Private Limited (AHV), Ahmedabad
Prof. K. S. Ganesh Prasad, IAR, Gandhinagar
Dr. Alphonsa Joseph, FCIPT-IPR, Gandhinagar
Prof. Sudeep Bhattacharjee, IIT Kanpur
Dr. Joydeep Ghosh, IPR Gandhinagar
Prof. Suraj Kumar Sinha, Central University Pondicherry
Dr. Paritosh Chaudhuri, Dean (R&D), IPR
Prof. Arup Ratan Pal, IASST, Guwahati
Prof. Nilakshi Das, Tezpur University
Dr. Satyananda Kar, IIT Delhi
Mr. Narasimham PVSL, Chairman, Teewave Technologies
Dr. S. Ghorui, BARC, Mumbai
Prof. Prabhat Ranjan, CEO and Co-founder, ASPL Fusion
Venue and travel
NECTAR Office Address
Nearest International Airport
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU), Guwahati, Assam.
Arrive at Guwahati Airport and use the government-approved prepaid taxi counter outside the arrivals gate.
Ground Transport
Shared Sumo/Traveller: Approx. INR 400-600 per seat; travel time about 3-4 hours.
Private Exclusive Cab: Approx. INR 2,500-3,500; travel time about 3-4 hours.
Route Tip
The route passes through the scenic Meghalaya state highway and the lush hills of Umiam Lake (Barapani). Road conditions can be hilly and winding; participants prone to motion sickness may carry medication and sit in the front seat.
Host state and nearby attractions
About Meghalaya
Meghalaya is located in the North-East of India and is a land of pristine landscapes and natural beauty. With an average annual rainfall of 1,150 cm, it is known for receiving the highest amount of rainfall in the country, with Mawsynram being the wettest place on earth.
The state is famous for living root bridges, virgin forests, breathtaking waterfalls, clear rivers and a network of caves. It has two National Parks and three Wildlife Sanctuaries and offers adventure tourism opportunities including mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking, trekking and water sports.
Meghalaya is home to the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos. The people predominantly follow a matrilineal system where lineage and inheritance are passed through daughters, particularly the youngest of the family.
Shillong
Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is popularly known as the Scotland of the East. It sits in the scenic Khasi Hills at an average altitude of about 1,500 metres above sea level and is known for pleasant weather, music culture, educational institutions, handicrafts and warm hospitality.
Food and cuisine: Jadoh, Dohneiiong, Dohkhlieh, Tungrymbai, Pumaloi, Nakham Bitchi, Pudoh, Minil Songa, bamboo shoot preparations, smoked meat dishes, Khasi-style pork curry, momos, thukpa, Pukhlein, Sakin Gata, local pickles and organic honey.
Attractions: Shillong Peak, Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, Ward's Lake, Don Bosco Museum, Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Laitlum Canyons, Lady Hydari Park, Police Bazaar, Golf Course Shillong, Spread Eagle Falls, Air Force Museum and Mawphlang Sacred Grove.
Sohra (Cherrapunji)
Sohra, popularly known as Cherrapunji, is located about 55 km from Shillong and is among the wettest places on Earth. It is blessed with rolling green hills, mist-covered valleys, waterfalls, caves and living root bridges.
Highlights: Nohkalikai Falls, Mawsmai Cave, Seven Sisters Falls, Double Decker Living Root Bridge, Arwah Cave, Dainthlen Falls, Mawkdok Dympep Valley Viewpoint, Wei Sawdong Falls and Krem Phyllut Cave.
Dawki
Dawki is a picturesque border town in Meghalaya located about 80 km from Shillong near the India-Bangladesh international border. It is famous for the transparent waters of the Umngot River, boating activities and scenic natural beauty.
Highlights: Umngot River, Dawki Suspension Bridge, Shnongpdeng, India-Bangladesh Border Viewpoint, Jaflong Viewpoint, Borhill Falls, river camping, fishing, local cuisine and scenic drives through the rolling hills of Meghalaya.
पृष्ठ आखरी अपडेट : 06-07-2026 - 16:32
