NANOSCIENCE RESEARCH CENTRE (NSRC)

DEPT. OF PHYSICS

NIRMALA COLLEGE, MUVATTUPUZHA

Milestones

·        Project Proposal Submitted to KSCSTE: 19 November 2009

·        Project Sanctioned by KSCSTE: 09 December 2011

·        NSRC Laboratory Established: January 2012

·        KSCSTE Project Started: 15 February 2012

Ongoing Projects

1.    Title: “Synthesis and applications of nanophase metal oxides” (Minor)

Funding Agency: UGC, New Delhi

Amount: Rs.1,49,000/-

Duration: 2011-2011

Principal Investigator: Dr. Thomas Varghese

2.    Title: “Synthesis, characterization and applications of nanocrystalline metal oxides” (Major)

Funding Agency: KSCSTE, Thiruvananthapuram

Amount: Rs.12,10,000/-

Duration: 2012-2015

Principal Investigator: Dr. Thomas Varghese

Co-investigators: Sunny Joseph and Dr. Jaseentha OP

Project Fellow: Priyanka KP

Objectives

NSRC has following objectives:

Ø Fabrication of nanocrystalline metal oxides using low temperature chemical synthesis routes

Ø Optimization of different synthesis routes

Ø Characterization of the as prepared samples to understand the crystal formation, crystalline nature, particle size, surface area, surface morphology etc.

Ø Study the effect of various dopants and additives on the crystalline nature & properties of nanometal oxides

Ø Investigation of thermal, optical, electrical, magnetic, electronic and biological properties

Ø Explore novel applications to solve problems like energy, health care, medical, environment etc.

Ø Study the effects of electron beam irradiation on nanophase metal oxides

Research Scholars:          

Ø Philip KA (Part Time), Associate Prof., Newman College, Thodupuzha

Ø Aloysius Sabu N (Part Time), Associate Prof., Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha

Ø Sunny Joseph (Part Time), Associate Professor and HOD, Dept. of Physics, Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha

Ø Sheena PA (Part Time)*, Associate Prof., MES College, Kodungalloor

Ø Priyanka KP (Full Time)*, Project Fellow, Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha

*Registration pending

Extension & Consultancy

NSRC undertakes minor research projects for M.Sc Physics and Chemistry students. There are 16 M.Sc Physics students and 4 M.Sc Chemistry students are joined for their project during the academic year 2012-13.

Ø Four M.Sc Physics students of Newman College, Thodupuzha

Ø Twelve M.Sc Physics students of Indira Gandhi College, Nellikuzhi, Kothamangalam

Ø Four M.Sc Chemistry students of Nirmala College, Muvattupuzha

Collaboration

Ø NSRC collaborated with the Department of Studies in Physics, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri-574199, Mangalore, Karnataka State( Dated)

Ø NSRC signed MOU with the Research Department of Maharajas College, Ernakualm, Kerala (Dated)

Equipments procured

Ø Distilled water plant

Ø Sensitive electronic balance

Ø Hot air oven

Ø Programmable muffle furnace

Ø Heating mantle

Ø Auto claves

Ø KBr pellatiser

Ø Magnetic stirrer

Ø Computers with internet facility

Ø Laser printer

Ø UV-Vis Spectrophotometer (Shimadzu Diffuse reflectance)

Manuscript Published/Accepted

v “Surface Modification of Nanotitania using High Energy Electron Beam”, International. J. Emerg. Tech. and Adv. Engg. 2 (11), 130-134 (2012)

v "Dielectic studies of nanocrystalline Manganese Tungstate", Advanced Nano Materials Applications (eds.), 91-96 (2012) (Bloomsbury Publishing India Pvt. Ltd.)

v ”Dielectric Properties and A.C. Conductivity of Nanocrystalline Titania”, J. Bas. and Appl. Phys. 2(4), February 2013 (Accepted)

v "Effect of high energy electron beam irradiation on the optical properties of nanocrystalline TiO2" Nanosystems: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics 4(2), March 2013 (Accepted)

Manuscript Presented
v “Magnetic properties of copper ferrite and cobalt ferrite nano particles    synthesized by sol-gel method”, Oral Presentation, International Conference on Material Science and Technology-ICMST 2012”, St. Thomas College, Pala, 10-14 June 2012

v "Dielectic studies of nanocrystalline Manganese Tungstate", International Conference MAM-12, Coimbatore, 21-25 November 2012.

v “Electrical Properties Of Bismuth Vanadate Nanoparticles”, Oral Presentation, 25^th Kerala Science Congress, Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, 29-31 January, 2013 (Accepted)