Research

At nanoscale, matter behaves differently, depending sensitively on the size and shape. Soft on the other hand, stands for interactions at relatively longer length scale and the combination, Nano and Soft, essentially signifies the overall control on wide ranging material properties, be it electronic, optical, magnetic, thermal, mechanical or rheological. Thus, the research activities in the Centre are focussed on realizing nanomaterials through novel synthetic methods, manipulation and control of material properties and translating them to potential products by up-scaling and prototyping. The researchers at the Centre work in close collaboration to realize a comprehensive picture of the materials in addition to broadening the scope of the scientific activities. The collaboration extends to other scientific groups, in India and abroad, resulting in dissemination of knowledge and publication of important papers.

Research Highlights

• Synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles and doped films; fabrication of devices based on dilute magnetic semiconductors and magnetoresistive oxides
• Reduced graphene oxide and hybrids of graphene oxide with metal/metal oxide nanoparticles
• Fabrication of metal nanowire network based transparent electrodes
• Anisotropic growth of metal nanocrystals
• Induction of a novel rotator phase with least symmetry
• Elastically strong ferrogels
• Spiral spatiotemporal patterns in Langmuir monolayers
• Photochromic bent-core liquid crystals
• Influence of high polarizability and chaotropic nature on anchoring transition in monolayers
• Ferroelectric bio-molecules
• Nanoparticle organo-composites under high pressures
• Periodic Freedericksz Effect in a tilted layer system.

Inventions

• Fast optical device made of banana-shaped molecules
• Metal wire mesh-Graphene hybrid transparent electrodes
• Ultrafast humidity sensor for breath monitoring
• Organogel with high anisotropic electrical conductivity
• Accelerated fluorescence switching device

Research Grants

The Centre, in addition to the annual grants from DST, received extramural funding from SERB, Indo-Bulgarian Bilateral, DST-WOS (A) projects.

Industry Interaction

Scientists have collaborative R&D project activities engaging partners from industries like Tata Steel, Hindustan Petroleum as well as Bharat Electronics.