Announcement:

Nanotechnology is poised to be the next big disruption in technology. To be at the forefront of this development, some of the most highly qualified engineers are constantly researching and developing new technologies.

The Centre for Nano-Technology (CNT) was set up in 2011 inspired by the potential of Nanoscience and Technology as the technologies of the future. This multi-disciplinary centre which convenes Physical, Chemical and Mechanical Sciences conducts focused research on cutting-edge technologies in addition to imparting knowledge to students. Graduates of NIE’s M.Tech. in Nanotechnology have been pursuing their PhD across the globe, particularly in cities such as Hong Kong, Taiwan, Germany, France and Italy.

Objectives

  • Develop infrastructure to support research on the fundamental aspects of nanotechnology for students and teachers of Science and Engineering as well as to promote application-oriented R&D projects among students
  • Provide effective education and training to students, researchers and professionals as part of human resources development
  • Develop interdisciplinary culture for research in Nanoscience, Engineering and Technology
  • Share the facilities with other scientists and researchers in the region
  • Forge linkages and achieve synergy between the educational and research institutions and industry
  • Promote international collaborative research work

Facilities

CNT is well equipped with the latest facilities to support research on cutting-edge technology. The equipment available here are:
  • Desktop X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD) instrumentation, Bruker, Germany
  • XE 70 Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Park Systems, South Korea
  • Desktop Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Phenom, the Netherlands
  • DC, RF, Magnetron Sputtering and Thermal Evaporation System
  • UV-VIS Spectrometer
  • Electrochemical Analyzer
  • Spin Coater
  • Solar Simulator
  • Muffle Furnace
  • Annealing Vacuum Furnace
  • Digital Weighing Balance
  • Magnetic Stirrer with Hot Plate
  • Handy pH meter

Achievements

  • The Centre got established after receiving the funding of Rs. 1.86 Crore from the DST, Government of India, and of Rs. 60 lakhs from VGST, Government of Karnataka.
  • Several projects have been successfully completed, including 37 Master theses under the aegis of the Centre over the last five years, with the scientific aspect of research being conducted in India as well as abroad.
  • The Centre had also organised two International level symposia in collaboration with McMaster University, Canada in 2013 and 2016.
  • Currently, CNT is working on a project in collaboration with DFRL, Mysore and RRCAT Indore (sponsored by SERB and UGC - DAE). Rs. 40 lakhs projects have been running at present including the funding from RRCAT, SERB etc.
  • Apart from this, the faculty associated with the Centre also delivers technical talks across the State/Interstates to create awareness on Nano-Science and Nano-Technology among students of other colleges and Institutes.
  • Currently, there are 3 students pursuing PhD and 1 student working as a JRF under UGC-DAE-sponsored project.

Projects

Several high-impact projects were successfully completed by the Centre since its inception with some still in progress.

  • Characterization of Composite Materials and Application of Nano materials for Sustainable Energy – DST Nanomission (INR 186 lakhs, 2010-2014)
  • Development of CIGS-based Nano materials for Photovoltaics – VGST (INR 60 lakhs, 2012-2015)
  • SPiCE/(SSP-UG) project – VGST (INR 30K, 2013 – 2014)
  • Fabrication and Optimisation of Nano-structured TBC for Turbine Blades using Taguchi Design -UGC (INR 50k, 2015-2016)
  • Perovskite thin films degradation studies – UGC-DAE (INR 9 lakhs, 2017-20120)
  • Synthesis and characterisation of Perovskite solar cells – KBITS (INR 3 lakhs, 2017 – 2020)
  • Travel grant to perform measurements in Japan, 2018 – DST (INR 2.5 lakhs, June 2018)
  • Metal oxide thin films and applications – UGC-DAE (INR 45K, 2018-2021)
  • Diblock Copolymer and encapsulation of Vitamin A (TARE programme) – SERB (INR 15 lakhs, 2019-2022)

Areas of Research

Over the years, the Centre has concentrated its efforts on research in different aspects of Nanomaterials, with emphasis on Photovoltaics, Sensors and Thermoresistive Coatings. Specific areas of research include:

contact

Dr. Siddharth Joshi Head, Centre for Nanotechnology
Email: sjoshi@nie.ac.in
Phone No: 0821-4004930