(Rtd) Emeritus Professor, Department of Physics
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
Scientist and teacher. Founder of the Alternative Energy and Nanotechnology Laboratory (AENL) at IIT Madras, working on nanomaterials for clean energy and the environment.
I’m a scientist and a passionate teacher. In 2001 I founded the Alternative Energy and Nanotechnology Laboratory (AENL) in the Department of Physics at IIT Madras, where I have taught since 1993.
My work tries to balance fundamental studies with technology innovation in nanotechnology, mainly for energy and environmental applications. I have guided 55 PhD students, published more than 460 journal papers and filed over 60 patents. None of it came easily.
I have worked on the synthesis of high-quality carbon nanotubes, reduced graphene oxide and their composites, as well as metal oxide nanotubes, and on applying these nanomaterials to energy and the environment.
I work with startups, universities, research institutes and energy researchers who want to build synthesis facilities for carbon nanotubes, graphene and metal oxide nanotubes. With a strong scientific background in manufacturing nanocomposites and catalysts, I offer scientific and technical guidance on nanocatalysts and nanocomposites that meet international quality standards.
At IIT Madras we synthesise multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with a novel technique: catalytic decomposition of acetylene over alloy-hydride catalysts. The work extends to graphene, metal oxide nanotubes and solid-state hydrogen storage.
The proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is one of the most promising ways to convert the chemical energy of hydrogen into electricity reliably and efficiently. We develop nanostructured catalysts and electrodes for fuel cells, supercapacitors, batteries and sensors.
Conventional heat-transfer fluids conduct heat poorly, which limits how well heat exchangers, radiators, motors and generators can be cooled. Dispersing carbon nanomaterials in these fluids and lubricants raises their thermal conductivity.
Department of Physics, IIT Madras
Department of Physics, IIT Madras
Hydrogen absorption in alloys, carbon nanotubes and graphene; PEMFC and DMFC; supercapacitors; batteries; biomedical applications; water purification; nanofluids.
Department of Physics, IIT Madras
Hydrogen absorption in alloys, carbon nanotubes and nanomaterials; PEMFC and DMFC; supercapacitors; batteries; biomedical applications; water purification; nanofluids.
Department of Physics, IIT Madras
Hydrogen absorption in alloys; carbon nanotubes and nanomaterials for hydrogen storage.
Department of Physics, IIT Madras
Hydrogen absorption in alloys for hydrogen storage.
University of Geneva, Switzerland
Nuclear quadrupole resonance studies of 63Cu in copper(I) complexes.
Darmstadt, Germany
Hydrogen absorption in alloys.
Department of Physics, IIT Madras
Theoretical NQR studies of halogen nuclei in inorganic solids.
Fellow, Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Germany
Listed in Who’s Who in the World, 2009 edition
For collaborations, consulting on nanomaterial synthesis, or invitations to speak, write or call.
