Meet Rahul Vishwakarma, Senior Member of IEEE, who currently serves as a Data Scientist at Octopyd (Crowdsourced hiring marketplace platform), and the Founder of Yimo (AI-based solutions dedicated to eradicating bots and identifying generative AI-based profiles within social network platforms). Previously, he held the position of Senior Software Engineer at Dell Technologies, where he made significant contributions to Data Protection solutions and the implementation of Data Domain with SAP HANA. His dedication is further evidenced by his 51 issued U.S. patents and 20 filed in machine learning, data storage, persistent memory, DNA storage, and blockchain (#9 in Long Beach, CA).

Where did your inspiration to become an inventor come from? 

During high school, Rahul Deo Vishwakarma’s passion for innovation and technological advancement was ignited. As he delved into biographies of renowned scientists and inventors at his local library, their stories of innovation and impact resonated deeply with him. Inspired by their perseverance and ingenuity, he embarked on a career that would push the boundaries of human knowledge and capability. His journey is a testament to the power of passion and the transformative potential of a single individual’s dedication to their craft.

Out of your many inventions, which invention are you most proud of? 

Among my array of inventions, I hold a particular sense of pride for my creation titled “Storing digital data in storage devices using smart contract and blockchain technology,” as evidenced by its issuance under U.S. Patent 11,928,091 on March 12, 2024. This invention represents a culmination of both my academic pursuits and professional endeavors. During my undergraduate studies in 2009, I worked on my thesis, “High-Density Data Storage in DNA Using an Efficient Message Encoding Scheme.” While working on this project, I harbored a latent desire to explore further and implement its underlying principles. Little did I anticipate that, over a decade later, I would witness the fruition of this aspiration through the issuance of a patent that extended and enhanced the concepts explored in my thesis. This journey underscores the importance of perseverance and revisiting past endeavors. It exemplifies that innovation knows no temporal bounds and that revisiting earlier problem statements with a fresh perspective can lead to novel solutions. My experience with this invention has reinforced my belief in the significance of continuous learning and the potential for enduring impact through sustained dedication to one’s craft.

What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive? 

My typical day involves research, experimentation, collaboration, and strategic planning. I begin by setting clear objectives and conducting research and experiments to explore new ideas. Collaboration with peers and experts is essential for refining inventions. Regular breaks ensure sustained productivity, allowing for reflection and rejuvenation. 

How do you bring your ideas to life? 

Bringing my ideas to fruition entails a methodical approach, prioritizing organic ideation and thoughtful problem-solving. Rather than imposing pressure to generate ideas, I allow them to evolve naturally. When tackling a problem statement, I adopt a mindset of starting from scratch and leveraging my existing knowledge to devise innovative solutions.  I believe in allowing ideas to simmer and mature over time. After initially engaging with a problem, I give it space to settle before revisiting it with a fresh perspective. Often, this process yields unexpected insights and enables the formulation of practical solutions.  Moreover, I draw inspiration from diverse sources, including Indian scriptures, which I have found to offer valuable insights and perspectives. This multidisciplinary approach enriches my ideation process and enhances the creativity of my solutions.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an inventor?

Maintaining consistency and discipline in focusing on one problem statement at a time. By adhering to this approach, I ensure thorough exploration and analysis of each challenge. Additionally, setting clear objectives, regardless of immediate results, fosters purpose and direction in my work, facilitating the formulation of innovative solutions. This disciplined approach drives progress and productivity in my inventive pursuits.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

My advice to my younger self as an inventor would be to embrace failure as a crucial aspect of the journey towards success. I stress the importance of maintaining a resilient mindset, viewing setbacks as opportunities for learning and growth rather than obstacles. I emphasize the significance of collaboration and seeking out diverse perspectives to foster innovation.

Tell us something true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

In my experience, the most significant inventions emerge from collaborative ecosystems where knowledge exchange and cross-disciplinary partnerships flourish. I advocate for a shift towards fostering such collaborative environments to maximize the potential for meaningful innovation and address complex societal challenges.

As an inventor, what is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?

As an inventor, I repeatedly do and highly recommend to others to cultivate a relentless curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning. Innovation thrives on the exploration of new ideas, technologies, and methodologies. I encourage everyone, regardless of their field or profession, to embrace curiosity as a driving force for personal and professional growth. Whether it involves reading voraciously, experimenting fearlessly, or engaging in meaningful conversations with experts and peers, pursuing knowledge is essential for unlocking new possibilities and realizing one’s full potential as an inventor and human being.

What strategy has helped you grow as an inventor? Please explain how.

Embracing failure as a crucial part of my journey has been instrumental in my growth as an inventor. Rather than being discouraged by setbacks, I’ve seen them as valuable learning opportunities. This shift in mindset has allowed me to approach challenges with resilience and determination, ultimately leading to more tremendous success in my inventive pursuits.

What is one failure you had as an inventor, and how did you overcome it?

One significant failure I experienced as an inventor was related to a risk-scoring method I developed for data storage capacity. The idea didn’t gain traction during discussions with colleagues because I struggled to communicate its potential effectively. Reflecting on this failure, I realized that my presentation needed more clarity and a compelling narrative. To overcome this setback, I simplified the concept and focused on articulating the idea clearly and concisely. By emphasizing the problem-solving process and illustrating the practical applications of the method, I garnered greater interest and support from my colleagues. This revised approach ultimately led to the idea being refined, patented, and successfully implemented.

This experience taught me the importance of effective communication in the inventive process. I now advocate for straightforwardly presenting ideas, ensuring they are accessible and understandable to a diverse audience.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why? (personal or professional)

The best $100 I recently spent was on purchasing books. Investing in reading material holds immense importance for both personal and professional growth. Moreover, reading stimulates critical thinking and fosters creativity. It challenges us to question assumptions, analyze complex concepts, and form opinions. Through engagement with thought-provoking literature, we develop the ability to think independently and approach problems from multiple angles.

What is the one book that you recommend that our inventor community should read and why?

I would recommend the book “Secret of the Veda” by Sri Aurobindo for the inventor community due to its profound insights into ancient Vedic wisdom and its relevance to modern innovation. Through exploring the spiritual and symbolic meanings within the Vedic hymns, the book offers valuable guidance on tapping into creativity and harnessing the power of intuition and insight. By challenging conventional notions of innovation and encouraging a deeper connection with the source of creativity, “Secret of the Veda” provides inventors with a unique perspective to unlock their creative potential and drive meaningful contributions to the field of innovation.

What is your favorite quote?

“The scientist has a lot of experience with ignorance and doubt and uncertainty, and this experience is of very great importance, I think. When a scientist doesn’t know the answer to a problem, he is ignorant. When he has a hunch as to what the result is, he is uncertain. And when he is pretty darn sure of what the result is going to be, he is in some doubt. We have found it of paramount importance that in order to progress we must recognize the ignorance and leave room for doubt. Scientific knowledge is a body of statements of varying degrees of certainty– some most unsure, some nearly sure, none absolutely certain. ” – Richard Feynman

The quote underscores embracing uncertainty and doubt as catalysts for exploration and learning. Inventors must be comfortable with not knowing all the answers and be willing to navigate through uncertainty to uncover new insights and solutions. Feynman’s words remind us that these experiences are not hindrances but integral parts of the creative process.

The post IDiyas Q&A: Meet Rahul Vishwakarma, Senior Member of IEEE with 51+ Granted Patents! appeared first on IDiyas.