MATERIALS SCIENCE

Out of the three groups that conduct research on materials science, groups headed by Dr. Amita Chandra  and  Dr. S.A. Hashmi research primarily on solid state ionics.
    Although both the groups work on Conducting Polymer Composites, the group headed by  Dr. Amita Chandra focuses on those composites which can be used in gas sensors, while the group headed by Dr. S.A. Hashmi works on composites built for the purpose of manufacturing batteries, diodes and transformers.
    This research has been going on since the past ten years and the research team consists of about 10 members. Being an interdisciplinary field, this research requires a knowledge of both chemistry and physics - both classical and quantum.

    The actual process of research involves qualitative calculation of a structure suitable for making the electrolyte fit for the given purpose, its fabrication in the Material Characterization Lab, and analysis of it properties like conductivity, impedance, durability, voltage-current dependence under temperature variations etc.

NUCLEAR FUSION REACTIONS

    Headed by Dr. Avinash Khare, this group, conducts research in the field of plasma and nuclear physics. The group consists of four members. The group has been conducting research for the past seven years. The focal point of the group's research is the use of dusty plasma in nuclear fusion reactions. Plasma is a gas of charged particles. When some large particles of few microns are introduced into the plasma, they also get charged, thus forming a dust plasma.

    Apart from Theoretical research, the group also performs computational simulations to study fusion reactions. Taking into consideration the specificity of such study, it is not surprising to know that the group uses self made C++ programs, tailored for the purpose. The group uses raw data provided by IPR Gandhinagar and SINP Calcutta to further study fusion and the effectiveness of the various different fusion techniques.

    With an aim to make a "sun on earth," the group works towards developing newer, more effective ways to heat matter to the plasma state, which currently stands as one of the primary impedances to a fully functional and commercial fusion reactor.

SILICON RADIATION DETECTORS

Headed by Dr. Shyama Rath, this group is currently working on radiation detectors made of silicon. These detectors find use in cosmology, astronomy and other space exploration projects.

  The group has been working on the project for about a year. The group is divided into two streams – one which creates these devices from pre-existing models and one which tests them and collects data and analyses it.

   The motivation behind this project, as one of the group member states, is “gaining research experience”.

Colloidal physics

DR. MAMTA 

NEWLY STARTED WITH A GROUP OF 2 STUDENTS)

• Determining the upper-bound of Higgs mass based on trivial arguments.
• Physics beyond standard model (model able to explain the fundamental particles).
• Beyond energy scale up to which it is valid.
• String theory   unifying Gravitation to standard model.

high- energy physics and cosmology

DR.AMITABH MUKHERJEE

                                                      (Since 1990’s)

• Trained in theoretical high- energy physics and cosmology and is also involved in developing primary mathematics and middle science.
• A  part of Hosangabad(M.P.) Science Teaching  Programme, a innovative programme based on science teaching developed by students of M.P. covering 6,7,8, class students of around 1600 schools.
• 1978, govt. decided to extend this programme to all schools of M.P. and it had covered all schools in India by 2002.
• Trying to scrutinize that before anything is done it must be advocated in class at primary levels whether it would work or not.
• Other aim was to curb the fear of ,mathematics in students and in 2003, govt. of Delhi  decided to publish other books besides NCERT , his group did a impossible task of developing 11 books(like EVS till class 5, primary science from 6 to 12)  within a year.
• SCRT (defence colony), approached them for development of primary science.
• Part of a focused group of National Curriculum Field Work not developing the syllabus rather the position paper (learning from mathematics).
• Main editor for mathematics books and manuals for class 2-5 and believed in developing mathematics at local not the national level and making the mathematics meaningful.
• Now since he was trained for high energy physics and cosmology, he keeps intact to his field through M.Sc classes.

EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH ON MATERIAL SCIENCE

DR.AMITA CHANDRA  AND  DR. S. A. HASMI

                   (TEAM OF 5 MEMBERS WORKING FOR LAST 10 YEARS).

• SPECIALLY POLYMER (IONIZED POLYMERS) ELECTROLYTE COMPOSITES.
• FRACTAL GROWTH IN POLYMERS.
• IRON TRACK-BASED ELECTRONIC DEVICES (where high-energy particle is bombarded with a metal as a result destroying it, creating a space to dope other particles sp as to increase its properties, that may be physical or chemical).
• EXAMPLES:- GAS- SENSORS,DOUBLE-DIODES, TRANSFORMERS, SUPER CAPACITORS , BATTERIES etc.
• CORE PHYSICS INVOLVED IS SOLID STATE PHYSICS, ELECTRONICS AND PHYSICS.
• CHEMISTRY FOR FABRICATION AND QUANTUM MECHANICS FOR ANALYSIS.
• SEEING HOW THESE POLYMER ELECTROLYTE COMPOSITE BEHAVE AND FABRICATE THEM IN MATERIAL CHARACTERIZATION LAB.
• MEASURE THE CONDUCTIVITY OF CELLS DEVELOPED, IMPEDANCE, CYCLIC VOLTA METRIC (current-voltage dependence), OPEN CIRCUIT MEASUREMENT.
• MAINLY USE ION CONDUCTING LIQUIDS LIKE, GEL POLYMERS THAT HOLDS THE LIQUID PART INSIDE AND IONIC PART ON THE UPPER SIDE.
• PROLIFIC FOR THE COMMERCIAL WORLD.

Organic Electronics

Headed by Dr Amarjeet Kaur, this research group consists of 6 research students. The group is conducting research on Organic materials, their processing and their use in making electronic devices such as pn junction, schottky junction etc. This technology also finds use in next gen solar cells and in ethanol vapor detectors.

The materials that the group uses extensively are called conducting polymers, which are polymers which can conduct electricity.

The group synthesizes nano particles, and studies their characteristics, which is the first step in designing electronics out of them.