Centre for Functional Materials (CFM)
Alumni Webinar Series
Centre for Functional Materials Cordially invites you for the Alumni Webinar Series
2024
1. 29th February 2024 (Thursday),03.00PM - 04.00PM IST, Venue: MS Teams
Title: Hydroxide Perovskites as a Platform For Frustrated And Orbital-Entangled Magnetism
Mr. Kaushick Parui
PhD Scholar, Fakultät Physik, Technische Universität Dresden
- Venue
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- About the Speaker
Low-dimensional quantum spin systems realized in double hydroxide perovskites and natural minerals are of current interest due to their novel properties arising from interplay of quantum fluctuations and reduced dimensionality. In this talk, we will discuss in detail about quantum magnetism in CuSn(OH)6 shedding light on the crystal structure, magnetic structure, local order/disorder via low temperature neutron diffraction. We will also talk about the structure-magnetism interactions and understand the intrinsic interplay of electronic, spin, and orbital degrees of freedom arising from a complex balance of electron-electron correlations and spin-orbit coupling. At the end of the talk, participants will gain insights into the concepts of frustrated and orbital entangled magnetism through neutron spectroscopy.
Mr. Kaushick Parui (Alumni of MSc Physics, 2018-2020) PhD Scholar, Fakultät Physik, Technische Universität Dresden
2023
1. 29th November 2023 (Wednesday),03.00 PM IST, Venue: MS Team
Title: Preserving Enhanced Magnetic Properties in BiFeO3 - based Multiferroic Thin Films during Microfabrication of Advanced Magnetic Nano Devices
Mr. Soumyaranjan Ratha
PhD Scholar, Research Assistant, Department ofMater: l~~kita University, Japan
- Venue
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- About the Speaker
This study focuses on enhancing the magnetic properties of Bismuth Ferrite (BFO) based multiferroic thin films to meet the increasing energy demands in magnetic devices like writing head of racetrack memory, writing element of spatial optical modulator and reading head of hard disk drive. After achieving exceptional magnetic characteristics in BFO-based thin films, our research delves into their practical applicability, specifically investigating suitable etching conditions to minimize magnetic damage during microfabrication processes.
Mr. Soumyaranjan Ratha Mr. Soumyaranjan Ratha have completed his MSc Physics from VIT, Vellore in 2020 and currently pursuing his PhD at Akita University, Japan. His core area of research is thin film based magnetic memory devices. He is also a recipient of prestigious JSPS MEXT fellowship to continue his research. He has published more than 5 research articles in reputed international journals
2. 10th February (Friday) 2023, Venue: MS Team
Title: Effects of synthesis techniques and sintering temperature on BCTBST cera mies
Dr. Pavithra. C
(Alumnus of Ph.D. in Physics 2019 Batch)
Head & Assistant Professor/ Dept. of Physics, Marudhar Kesari .lain College for Women. Vaniyambadi, Thirupathur.
- Venue
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- About the Speaker
Morphology and properties of ceramics are first attributes of synthesis techniques and sitering temperature. In order to understand the effect of synthesis techniques and sintering temperature 0.55(Ba0.9Ca0. l)Ti03-0.45Ba(Sn0.2'fi0.8)03(BCT-BST) is. ynthesized by solid state reaction (SSR), sol-gel method and molten-salt methods. The cubic crystal tructure of all the synthesized BCT-BST i confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction analysis. Densification temperature varies between 1250°C and 1400 °C depending on the synthesis technique. The morphology and particle size of each of BCT-BST is studied using scanning electrnn microscope. Particle size is found to be in the range of 32nm to 60nm. Dielectric studies on each of BCT-BST are carried out as a function of temperaiure and frequency. The morphotropic phase boundary is noticed at 71 °C and a high dielectric con tant of 18000 noticed for sol gel synthesized BCT-BST. A soft ferroelectric hysteresis curve is exhibited 6y each ofBCT-BST.
Dr. C Pavithra
Awards
* Got the research fellowship from VIT for 4 years from 2014 to 2018.
* Got the research award in 2018 from VIT, Vellorein recognition of the contribution to research through publication in peer reviewed journals.
* Education Excellence Award in ESN Publication
* Best Researcher Award in ESN Publication
* Best Presentation in Muthurangam Govt. Arts College & Rathinam College of Arts and Science. 2022
1. 29th August 2022 (Monday) Venue: MS Team
Title: Twisting Curved π Aromatics
Dr. Senthil Kumar Kabali
(Alumnus of Ph.D., (Inspire Fellow) 2011-2017)
Department of Chemistry, Durham University, Durham DH1 3LE, UK
- Venue
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- About the Speaker
Conjugated macrocycles have attracted considerable attention due to their unique electronic and optical properties, which make them interesting candidates for application in molecular and organic electronic devices or photo switches.1 The [n]cycloparaphenylenes ([n]CPPs), macrocycles built from benzene rings linked at the para positions end-to-end, illustrate the challenges faced when targeting highly strained molecules. A cycloparaphenylene-based molecular lemniscate (CPPL), the lemniscular analogue of [16]cycloparaphenylene was synthesized of a radially conjugated π-electron system with a double half-twist. The structural design of the CPPL provides a unique opportunity to observe the effect of curvature variations on the electronic structure in isolation from other influences. The electronic properties of this new system differ from those of the parent [16]CPP ring, showing absorption and emission features more characteristic of smaller cycloparaphenylenes. The twisted nanohoop of CPPL can be resolved into configurationally stable enantiomers, which are found to produce circularly polarized luminescence (CPL).2 More generally, the approach to curvature control presented in this work enables reduction of electronic bandgaps while retaining large conjugation lengths in nanohoop systems. Also, Raman optical activity (ROA) and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) have been detected, in a single Raman experiment, for enantiomers of a CPPL stabilized by a bicarbazole unit.3
Dr. Senthil Kumar Kabali Dr. Senthil Kumar Kabali, (Alumnus of Ph.D., (Inspire Fellow) 2011-2017) Education: B.Sc., 2007, Presidency College M.Sc., 2010, University of Madras
Ph.D., (Inspire Fellow) 2011-2017, Vellore Institute of Technology-Vellore. Title: Luminescent and Non-Linear Optical Properties of Ferrocene Containing Transition Metal Complexes and Chromophores
Postdoctoral Work: Marie Curie Fellowship: September 2020-Till date University of Durham, United Kingdom. Topic: Defective Charged Nanographenes and its Redox Behaviours 2017-2019, University of Wroclaw, Poland Topic: Synthetic and Physical Properties of Strained π-Aromatics2. 23rd June 2022 (Thursday) at 2.00pm - 3.00pm , Venue: MS Team
Title: Recent advances in plasmonic sensor-based fiber optic probes for biological sensors
Dr. Aruna Gandhi MS, M.Sc., Ph.D.,
(Alumnus of Ph.D., (Physics) in 2016 Batch)
Post-Doctoral Fellow/Research Associate – Peking University, China.
- Venue
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- About the Speaker
Diagnostic tools have been the need of the hour owing to the several threatful diseases in human society. With the appreciable increase in the incidences of risk factors, there is a great need for a tool that can be quick and reliable with high accuracy in detecting infected bioagents in the biological samples. The fiber-based biosensor can serve as a low-cost, efficient device for day-to-day applications. Fiber optic plasmonic sensors use an optical field to measure the biological agents. Due to their unique sensing performances, fiber optic plasmonic sensors turn out to be potential alternatives to conventional fiber optic sensors. Fiber optic plasmonic sensors use optical transduction mechanisms to enhance sensitivity and resolution. The transduction mechanisms of fiber optic plasmonic sensors with different geometrical structures and the photonic properties of the geometries enhance the sensitivity of the sensors. The studies of optical properties with a combination of suitable materials for testing the biosamples allow for diagnosing diseases in the medical field.
Dr. Aruna Gandhi Dr. Aruna Gandhi MS, M.Sc., Ph.D., (Alumnus of Ph.D., (Physics) in 2016 Batch) Post-Doctoral Fellow/Research Associate - Peking University China.
3. 18th April 2022 (Monday) at 011:30 am - 12:30 pm, Venue: MS Team
Title: Applications of Different Types of Optical waveguides
Dr. Ritapa Bhattacharjee
(Alumnus of Ph.D., (Physics) in 2015 Batch)
Post-Doctoral Fellow – City University of London, United Kingdom.
- Venue
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- About the Speaker
Optical waveguides provide a non-destructive technique to find different types of testing and detection application in several fields. The designing of optical waveguides plays a key role to determine their operation. Some common optical waveguides are optical fibers, rigid bulk waveguides, slot waveguides, etc. It is possible to regulate the effective refractive index of light by changing the size, shape, and material of a particular waveguide. The change in effective refractive index passing through the waveguide due to the presence or absence of a particular sensing environment is measured for sensing applications. Optical waveguides have various uses in dispersion engineering, harmonic generation, ultrafast optics, etc. Here application of photonic quasi-crystal fibers for second harmonic generation and the application of slot waveguides as the sensor will be mainly focused on. Further, it will be shown how the geometry and material of a particular waveguide affect the effective refractive index and power of light passing through the waveguide and thus affects the required application.
Dr. Ritapa Bhattacharjee
Dr. Ritapa Bhattacharjee has obtained her Ph.D. from VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, India in Physics (Photonics). Her specialization is designing different types of optical waveguides such as photonic crystal fiber, photonic quasi-crystal fiber, slot waveguides, some other types of special optical fibers, etc., and different applications of waveguides such as second harmonic generation, dispersion control, sensing, etc. She has received the prestigious Erasmus Mundus Postdoctoral Mobility Fellowship (INTACT project grant) and perused her postdoctoral work at the City University of London, London, United Kingdom.
She also has experience in teaching as an Assistant Professor (Senior Grade) in Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. She has experience in working with different reputed research institutes on different types of projects, namely, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata, S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, Indian Centre for Space Physics, Kolkata. She also worked as a CSIR Research Associate in Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India.
She has several publications in various International refereed journals and many national and international conferences. She is a regular reviewer of IEEE Photonics Journal, Optics Letters of Optica publications (Previously known as Optical Society of America), MDI publications, and also some national conferences.
4. 10th February 2022 at 2.00 PM -3.00 PM, Venue: MS Team
Title: Erasmus Mundus Master: exploring European Culture, Universities and Large Scale Facilities
Sreelakshmi Kottarappilly Balachandran
(Alumnus of M.Sc. (Physics) student in 2020 Batch)
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree
Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany (ongoing)
- Venue
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- About the Speaker
MaMaSELF+ is a two-year international Master course in Materials Science fully taught in English, delivering multiple master’s degree, and recognized as European formation of excellence in this field since 2007. The consortium includes 6 primary European Universities in the field of Materials sciences, Engineering Physics and Chemistry in France, Germany, Italy, and Poland. The joint program covers fundamentals of Materials: structure and dynamics of condensed matter, and chemical, mechanical and physical properties of materials. One specific aim of the MaMaSELF program is to emphasize on the application of "Large scale facilities" for the characterization and development of materials.
The program structure consists of 3 semesters of lectures and a 4thsemester dedicated to a Master-thesis / internship in highly recognized European Universities.
Sreelakshmi Kottarappilly Balachandran
(Alumnus of M.Sc. (Physics) student in 2020 Batch) Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany (ongoing)
2021
1. 26th February 2021 (Friday) at 01:30 pm - 2:30 pm, Venue: MS Team
Title: Getting a closer look on nanoparticles through pair distribution function (PDF)
Dr. Harikrishnan V
Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Chemistry & Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)
Aarhus University, Denmark
- Venue
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- About the Speaker
Since the turn of the century, there has been a clear advancement and discovery of new functional materials for advanced applications like e.g energy technologies and many other fields. It is very important to understand the relation between atomic structure and properties of these materials. The atomic arrangement in a material may also change when we drastically reduce it to nanosize. This is evident when we reduce the size of metallic nanoparticles when going below 5nm. It is often believed that the nanosized particles would have the same structure with that of the bulk. This is characterized with the help of X-Ray diffraction (reciprocal space) where we typically confirm the structure of the material. However, there may be some difference between the bulk and local structure of the material. In the latter case, analysis of the direct lattice would be beneficial as well. Extended X-Ray absorption spectroscopy (EXAFS) could be employed to analyze the local structure. However, the structural information obtained from the EXAFS can be only corresponding tothe first few coordination shells. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)is another widely used technique to understand the atomic structure of the nanoparticles. However, highly disordered materials can be difficult to characterize and it is limited to number of particles analyzed at a time. This is where pair distribution function (PDF) comes in handy tool to sort out the difference between the bulk and local structure of a material. A PDF is a Fourier transform of total scattering data and represents the distribution of all interatomic distances in a material. The main advantage about PDF is that it never discriminates between Bragg scattering and diffuse scattering. A PDF includes information about crystalline, nanostructured, disordered or fully amorphous of a material.
Dr. Harikrishnan V
Working as post doctoral fellow in iNANO and department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark for two years. He completed his PhD from Vellore Institute of Technology in 2018 under the guidance of Prof. R. Ezhil Vizhi. During his PhD he had been working on Spark Plasma Sintering of ferrite magnets for the compaction process. Currently he has been working on synchrotron X-Ray diffraction, pair distribution function analysis and magnetic materials.
2. 28th April 2021 (Wednesday) at 3.00 - 4.00 pm, Venue: MS Team
Title: Magnetic interactions of R3+ and Fe3+ ions in rare-earth ferrite oxide (RFeO3) single crystals
Dr. Ramki Chakaravarthy
Postdoctoral Fellow, International center of Quantum and Molecular Structures (ICQMS)
Department of Physics, Shanghai University, China
- Venue
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- About the Speaker
In the emerging field of spintronic, novel properties with unprecedented control of magnetism is prerequisite, in that rare-earth ferrite oxide (RFeO3) materials are very good example for explaining the temperature and/or magnetic field induced spin-reorientation, magnetic reversal and multiferroric properties. In RFeO3, a weak ferromagnetism (FM) originates from the slightly canted antiferromagnetism (AFM) in the Fe-sublattices (at relatively higher temperature) while R-sublattice ordered antiferromagnetically (at low temperature). Here, a delicate exchange interplay between R 4-f and Fe 3-d electrons in the complex oxides which results in an interesting magnetic behaviors are observed and they are strongly dependent on external agents like applied field, temperature and pressure etc. I will start with some basic information about the perovskite oxides, difficulty and challenging in growing a good quality RFeO3 single crystal using Optical Floating Zone (OFZ) followed by the magnetic interactions of R3+ and Fe3+ ions in RFeO3 single crystals and the underlying principles for the observed properties are discussed in details.
Dr. Ramki Chakaravarthy
Dr. Ramki Chakaravarthy working as Postdoctoral fellow in International center of Quantum and Molecular Structures (ICQMS), and Department of Physics, Shanghai University, China. He obtained his PhD from Department of Physics, Vellore Institute of Technology in 2019 under the guidance of Prof. R. Ezhil Vizhi. During his PhD, he has worked in the DST-SERB funded project on growth aspects and property studies of nonlinear optical (NLO) single crystals. Currently, he is working in the field of high temperature crystal growth, rare-earth ferrite oxide (RFeO3) single crystals using Optical Floating Zone (OFZ).
Email:ramkee@shu.edu.cn; ramkee18@gmail.com3. 30th June 2021 (Wednesday) at 4.00 pm, Venue: MS Team
Title: Translational Materials Research
Dr. Govindarajan Suresh
Senior Scientist
Cellivate Technologies Singapore
- Venue
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- About the Speaker
Materials have made enormous impacts in the human lives ever since the stone age. Notably, the recent macro, micro and nanoforms of materials have shown diverse physiochemical properties. For instance, a tailored ferromagnet at nano size loses its hard magnetic properties and becomes super paramagnet, which can act as a potential drug carrier. Patients with implanted peritoneal dialysis catheter suffer due to biofouling and bacterial infection. Nevertheless, a simple technique using micron-thick antibacterial coating can potentially ease their agony and reduce the rate of bacterial infection. Aging develops saggy eyes, which ultimately affects one's confidence. To get rid of this, we have developed a cost-effective 3D printed mask. It is my great privilege to share my experience as a technopreneur which I hope will pave a way to budding scientists.
Dr. Govindarajan Suresh
Dr. Govindarajan Suresh graduated Bachelor and Master degrees in Physics from Bharathidasan University, Tirchirappalli, Tamil Nadu and PhD from School of Advanced Sciences, VIT University. Suresh has more than 10 years of research experience in multiple domains, such as Materials Science, Biochemistry, Cell Biology and Microbiology. He was formally an assistant professor at PARK College of Engineering and Technology, Coimbatore, India. Later he moved to Singapore, and he worked on numerous scientific projects at the Singapore General Hospital and at the National University of Singapore. In 2019, Suresh span off a company based on one of the technologies he worked on. After a brief stint in his own Startup, he joined Cellivate Technologies Singapore as a Senior Scientist where he works on developing novel technologies for cellular agriculture.
4. 30th August 2021 (Monday) at 11:30 am - 12:30 pm, Venue: MS Team
Title: Magnetic properties of high-qualified (Bi1-xLax)(Fe,Co)O3 multiferroic thin films by using a pulsed DC reactive sputtering method and demonstration of magnetization reversal by electric field
Dr. M. Kuppan
Research Engineer
Materials Research Center, Technology & Intellectual property HQ, TDK Corporation, Tokyo, Japan
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- About the Speaker
Magnetic reversal using an electric field is a promising and future technology for multifunctional devices due to its lower power consumption. Multiferroic materials with magneto-electric effect, which simultaneously exhibit spontaneous polarization and magnetization, have been receiving greater attention. In these days, fabrication of the highly qualified (Bi1-xBax)FeO3 (BBFO) films with ferromagnetism and ferroelectricity by using a pulsed DC reactive sputtering technique and also demonstration of the magnetization reversal by electric field were succeeded. However, the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and the coercivity of the BBFO films were not sufficient for high performance magnetic device application. I have newly tried the fabrication of highly qualified La-doped BiFeO3 based films by using reactive pulsed DC sputtering method.
Dr. M. Kuppan
Dr. M. Kuppan working as a Research engineer at TDK Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. He worked as a Post Doctorate Research Fellow in Akita University, Japan during 2017-2019.He obtained his PhD from Department of Physics, Vellore Institute of Technology in 2015 under the guidance of Prof.S Kaleemulla. He has published 25 research article in international journals and attended several national, international conferences and workshops. His research focuses are the development of multiferroics thin films for various device applications.
5. 28th October 2021 (Thursday) at 03:30 pm - 04:30 pm, Venue: MS Team
Title: Synthesis of Nano-Bioceramics for Biomedical Applications
Dr. Sarath Chandra Veerla
Nanomaterials for Photovoltaic and Biomaterials Laboratory (NPBL),
Godavari Institute of Engineering and Technology (A), Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh, 533296, India
- Venue
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Biomaterials are synthetic materials used to replace part of a living system or to function in contact with living tissue. Bio ceramic based materials have played a prominent role in repairing and regenerating the tissues in the human body. Calcium phosphate, mainly hydroxyapatite (nHAp), has been used for over three decades in clinical applications, such as hip, bone, and dental replacements. Synthesis of magnetic nano-bioceramics, which could be used for controlled drug delivery and hyperthermia application. The magnetic properties of nHAp doped with different magnetic ions, such as Fe3+, Co2+ and Ag+/Fe2+ ions, nHAp nanocomposites have studied with potential to deliver the drug wit multi-stage at specific-site could be used to treat malignant tumor without any bacterial side effect. In addition, HAp sorbent could be used effectively to remove the fluoride ions and also it has better efficiency to re-use the n-HAp material for removal of fluorine ions from drinking water. Further, the effect of swift heavy Si5+ ion irradiation on nanosize Fe-HAp has better antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus which could be useful in treatment of bone and joint infections. In conclusion, metal doped HAp could assist bone growth, fracture healing and treat the cancer cells due to its excellent magnetic properties and drug releasing properties.
Dr. Sarath Chandra Veerla
Dr. Sarath Chandra Veerla since 2019, is working as Associate Professor at Department of Physics, Godavari Institute of Technology (A), Rajamahendravaram, Andhra Pradesh. In past he worked as Research Professor at Chungnam National University, Dajeon, South Korea and also worked at Chosun University, Gwangju, South Korea. Also, he worked as Research Associate-II at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. And also, he worked as a Post-Doctoral Fellow for one year during September 2013 - June 2014 at Department of Applied Science and Technology – DISAT, Politecnico di Torino, Italy within the program of Erasmus Mundus funded by European Commission. He was a National Doctoral Fellow of All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Government of India, and he was a Senior Research Fellow of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Government of India. He has submitted his thesis entitled on “Investigations on Metal Ions Doped Nano Crystalline Hydroxyapatite” for the Ph.D. degree was awarded on August 2013. He completed his M.Sc.,(Physics) from Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore in 2007.
6. 24th December 2021 (Friday) at 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, Venue: MS Team
Title: Research Friendly Software for Review and Bibliography
Dr. Deepannita Chakraborty
Department of Physics, Dr.N.G.P. Arts and Science College, Coimbatore.
- Venue
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- About the Speaker
Research mainly comprises of four parts (i) Reviewing literature, (ii) Experimentation (iii) Analyzing the results from different characterization and (iv) Citing the literature. Among the four parts, reviewing the literature, analysis of results and citing the literature consumes most of the time to complete your research work. Before two decades, the analysis of research and citing the literature were much more tedious than now. Nowadays there a several software which had simplified the reviewing and analysis part to some extent. Some of the most significant software used for finding articles related to your research are google scholar and research gate. The best part of these are they are free of cost. For analyzing purpose, several software for different characterization techniques have been developed. Among them, the foremost significant software is origin, Fityk, Match, Powdercell etc. Due to short time, I have planned my talk to be specific about the use of google scholar, research gate and Endnote.
Dr. Deepannita Chakraborty
Dr. Deepannita Chakraborty (Alumnus of Ph.D in 2019), Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Dr.N.G.P. Arts and Science College, Coimbatore. 
