Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) Varanasi (abbreviated IIT (BHU) Varanasi or simply IIT BHU) is a public engineering institution located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. Founded in 1919 as the Banaras Engineering College, it became the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University in 1968. It was designated an Indian Institute of Technology in 2012. IIT (BHU) Varanasi has 14 departments and 3 inter-disciplinary schools.

I welcome you all to the international conference 'Beyond Fossil Fuels: The Future of Alternative Technology (B:FAT-2020)'. This conference is in the context of the development of alternative energy technologies and new energy challenges imposed by portable electronics revolution coupled with the development of rechargeable lithium batteries. The conference is going to provide a unique opportunity to the participants gathering from various part of the world to make a sincere effort towards the development of zero-emission technologies. I hope that the conference will provide an opportunity to exchange knowledge, vision and motivation for the development of efficient renewal technologies that can provide a better future for the world.