School of Nano Science and Technology
National Institute of Technology,
Calicut, Kerala
Profile
SNST was established as an independent School at NITC in 2009
The
School
departments
functions
of
the
in
collaboration
institute
through
with
the
academic
other
courses,
interdisciplinary student research projects and collaborative
research with faculty members.
The school has ongoing collaborative research with prominent
universities and institutes at the international level.
The School of Nano Science and Technology (SNST) at National
Institute of Technology Calicut (NITC), India, fosters a scientific
community dedicated to higher learning and research in
Nanotechnology.
Academic Programs
Doctoral Degree Program
Candidates with Master’s degree in various streams of science and engineering can
perform research leading to Ph.D. degree at the School. The Doctoral research
scholars are Master’s degree holders in different Engineering branches, Materials
Science, Nanotechnology, Physics and Chemistry. Being an interdisciplinary School,
there is large flexibility in the background disciplines of the candidates. All selected
research scholars are entitled to fellowships from the Government of India.
Master of Technology Program
The Master of Technology (M.Tech.) program in Nanotechnology is designed to
impart state-of the art knowledge, and has an objective of training the students to
make them capable of addressing the challenges of the emerging technological
field of Nanotechnology. The program consists of two semesters of course work and
two semesters of project work. The study materials include subjects such as Physics of
Materials, Thermodynamics of Nanomaterials and Systems, Microscale and
Nanoscale Heat Transfer, Nanosized Structures, Experimental Techniques in
Nanotechnology,Computational Nanotechnology and MEMS. Laboratory courses
dealing with production, characterization and application of nanoparticles,
nanofluids and nanocomposits as well as giving exposure to discrete computational
analysis of nanoscale phenomena are also offered as part of the curriculum.
Laboratories and Facilities
 Nanotechnology Research Laboratory:
Focuses on Nanofluids, Thermal engineering applications, Thermophysical property
measurement, Carbon Nanotechnology.
 Nanoscience Research Laboratory:
Involved in research on Bio-sensors, Targeted drug delivery systems, Environmental
problems.
 Fuels and Combustion Research Laboratory:
Dedicated to research on the application of nanotechnology in fuels, leading to
efficient combustion and reduction of emission, Nano lubricants, Nanocoolants.
 Nano and Display Research Laboratory:
Carries out research in nanopatterning, Non-linear optics applications and Liquid
crystal Displays.
 Computational Nanotechnology Laboratory:
Focuses on discrete computational methods for the simulation and analysis of
nanoscale phenomena.
 The Microscopy Center
Microscopy Center houses a high resolutionScanning Electron Microscope and an
Atomic Force Microscope.
Nanotechnology Research Laboratory
Nanofluids and Engineering Applications
 Research involves studies on convection loops
with nanofluids, application of nanoparticles in
lubricating oils and refrigerents, measurement of
thermophysical
properties
of
nanofluids,
preparation of stabilized nanofluids and their
characterization,heat transfer phenomena in
nanofluids .
 Molecular dynamic simulation and multi-scale
modeling of thermal phenomena
 Optical measurements
 Microchannels and micro heat pipes,
Measurement of thermal
conductivity of nanofluids
Carbon Nanotube Synthesis
The research work is primarily focused on
optimizing the process of CVD synthesis, based on
the results of the theoretical model.
 Chemical kinetics modeling to predict the
deposition parameters,
 Molecular modeling to simulate the deposition
process of CNT.
Chemical Vapor Deposition
Of CNT
Nanoscience Research Laboratory
Development of Biosensors using Engineered Nano particulate Systems
 Research work is in progress to develop sensitive,
reproducible, selective and low cost biosensor
surfaces using different nanostructures like gold
nanoparticles, gold nanorods, silver nanoparticles and
carbon nanotubes.
A novel electrochemical sensor surface with
enhanced sensitivity for the detection of hydrogen
peroxide based on the layer-by-layer assembly of
mercapto propionic acid cyclic bisureas, gold
nanoparticle and Horseradish peroxidase has been
developed.
Gold nanoparticles
Targeted Drug Delivery
Tumor targeting strategies, to target tumors and
deliver therapeutics to specific locations in the
body, are being developed and investigated,
focusing on gold nanoparticle as vectors for drug
delivery.
3 different sized gold nanoparticles suitable for
drug delivery applications, ranging from 10-60 nm,
have been obtained .
Photocatalytic degradation of
a textile dye using titanium
oxide
nanoparticles
under
ultraviolet radiation
Fuels and Combustion Research Laboratory
Application of Catalytic Nanoparticles in Hydrocarbon Fuels
 The aim of the research is to obtain results that will
help in understanding the effect of nanoparticle
additives on Diesel and Biodiesel in improving the
energy conversion capability and reducing the level
of harmful emissions from the engine.
 The use of certain oxide catalysts in the
nanopowder form is found to enhance the
combustion
phenomenon,
while
considerably
reducing emissions.
 The extensive investigation involves preparation of
the catalytic nanoparticles by chemical and physical
synthesis methods, their characterization, blending
and stabilization in fuels, quantification of the modified
fuel in engines, fundamental analysis of the
combustion flames using optical measurements, study
on impact on engine parts, and toxicological effects
on the emissions.
Major Equipment : Dynamic Light Scattering system
Flame Pyrolysis of catalytic
nanoparticles
Dynamic Light Scattering system
Nano and Display Research Laboratory
Investigations on Micropatterning and Liquid Crystals
The key areas of work in the laboratory are:
 Berkovich nano-indentation on polymerCNT nanocomposites to study the stress
strain behavior of thin films.
 Miropatterning of transparent electrodes
using laser ablation for in-plane switching
liquid crystal displays
 Development of thermotropic liquid
crystals for non-linear optics.
 Investigations on pressure sensor based
Piezoresistive behaviour of Polysilicon
film on Si <100> for MEMS devices.
Polarized optical microscopy images of
different liquid crystals
Simulated results for stress analysis on the
diaphragm and fabricated array of bulk
micromachined diaphragms on silicon
Computational Nanotechnology Laboratory
Simulation of Nanoscale Phenomena
Our main area of work is to understand the
phenomenon occuring at nanoscale by
employing atomistic simulation techniques
like Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo.
This helps in the design and optimization of
functional systems at the molecular scale.
 Direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC)
analysis of solid rocket motor (SRM) exhaust
 Thermal modeling of carbon nanotube
based electronic devices
 Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation of gassurface interaction at nanoscale
 Molecular Dynamics simulation of transport
properties,
and
transport
through
nanostructures
 MD simulation of gas-surface interactions
MD simulation of Nanojets
MD simulation of gas-surface interactions
Scanning Probe Microscopy Centre
The centre is equipped with Park XE-100 Atomic Force
Microscopy (AFM).
Specifications:
• Decoupled XY & Z Scanners
• Scan range of XY-scanner: 5 μm and 100 μm
• Working distance of Z-scanner: 12 μm or 25 μm
• Sample size:Up to 100 mm × 100mm, 20 mm
thick, and up to 500 g
 Supported Modes
True Non-Contact Mode
Contact Mode
Force - distance Spectroscopy/F-d volume imaging
Phase imaging of True Non-Contact, FMM, MFM
Conductive AFM
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy
Magnetic Force Microscopy
Electric Force Microscopy
Scanning Thermal Microscopy
Nanolithography
Nanoindentation
Scanning Electron Microscopy centre
The centre is equipped with Hitachi SU6600 Variable
Pressure Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope
THE MAIN FEATURES OF SU 6600-FESEM
 Electron gun: Tungsten Schottky emission electron
source
 Resolution: 1.2 nm/30 kV, 3.0 nm/1 kV
 Probe current: 1pA~200nA
 Specimen chamber pressure : 10-4Pa (high
 vacuum), 10~300Pa (low vacuum)
 Specimen Size: Max 150 mm dia.×40 mm H
 Magnification: 500,000 x
 IMAGING TECHNIQUES







Secondary Electron Imaging (SE)
Backscattered Electron Imaging (BSE)
Environmental Secondary Electron Detector (ESED)
Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (Horiba, EMAX,
137 ev) For analysis, mapping & Point ID
The ESED mode allows the operator to change
Vacuum conditions in the sample chamber from high
vacuum to low vacuum.
Major Equipments/Facilities
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Dynamic Light Scattering System (DLS)
UV-VIS Spectrophotometer
Vacuum coating Apparatus
Chemical Vapour Deposition Apparatus (CVD)
Electrochemical Workstation
Rotek Fume exhaust hood
Trinocular Research Microscope
KD2 –Thermal Property Analyzer
Rheometer
Fluke Infrared Thermometers
Deep freezer, Centrifuge,Oven
Interferometric/Schliern set up
Funded Research Projects
Holographic Studies on Mini Channels for Optimal Thermal Design of
Microelectronic Systems”, Department of Science and Technology, Government of
India [20 lakhs] - Completed
Experimental studies on convective heat transfer performance of water-based
nanofluids in liquid loops, Board of Research in Nuclear Science, Government of India
[20 lakhs] - Completed
Design, development and optimization of miniature and micro heat pipes for
thermal management of avionic devices, Aerospace Research and Development
Board, Government of India [10 lakhs] - Ongoing
 Development and application of waterbased nanofluids as coolants for steel
industry, Tata Steel, India [20 lakhs] - Ongoing
 Investigations on the application of catalytic nanoparticles as diesel and
biodiesel additives: Funded by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation, Government of
India [120 lakhs] - Ongoing
Multifunctional Plasmonic Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites for Targeted Drug
Delivery: Synthesis, Evaluation and Toxicological Studies, Department of
Biotechnology, Government of India [45 lakhs] - Ongoing
Enhancement of the sensitivity of peptide nanotube based biosensors using metal
nanoclusters, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
[19.14 lakhs] - Ongoing
 DSMC Simulations of Solid Rocket Exhaust Plumes, Government of India, Aerospace
Research and Development Board, Government of India. [20 lakhs] - Ongoing
Recent Publications
Year
Journals
International
Conferences
National
International
National
2011 - 2012
8
--
8
--
2010 - 2011
5
--
6
1
2009 – 2010
3
--
6
1
Patents filed
1. Title of the patent applied : A system for determining Material
surface erosion caused by impingement of Nanofluids on pipes
carrying Nanofluids.
Inventors :
• Mr.Gibin George, NIT Calicut
• Mr.Shijo Thomas, Asst. Professor, SNST, NIT Calicut.
• Dr.C.B.Sobhan, Professor, SNST, NIT Calicut.
• Dr.Sajith.V, Asst. Professor, SNST, NIT Calicut.
• Mr.Hanas T, Asst. Professor, SNST, NIT Calicut.
• Mr.Krishna Sabareesh. R, TATA Steel Ltd, , Jamshedpur.
• Jamshedpur.Mr.Sumitesh Das, TATA Steel Ltd, Jamshedpur
.
Patents filed
2. Title of the patent applied : A process for determining Lubricant
composition in Vapour Compression Refrigeration System to
enhance the Coefficient of Performance.
Inventors :
• Mr.Gopinath, NIT Calicut
• Dr.Sajith.V, Asst. Professor, SNST, NIT Calicut.
• Mr.Shijo Thomas, Asst. Professor, SNST, NIT Calicut.
• Dr.C.B.Sobhan, Professor, SNST, NIT Calicut.
• Mr.Hanas T, Asst. Professor, SNST, NIT Calicut.
• Mr.Krishna Sabareesh. R, TATA Steel Ltd, , Jamshedpur.
• Jamshedpur.Mr.Sumitesh Das, TATA Steel Ltd, Jamshedpur
.
Faculty Development Programmes
1. "Trends and Techniques in Nanotechnology",
July 4-17, 2010
Sponsored by MHRD-AICTE
Coordinators:
Dr.C.B.Sobhan, Hanas T., Shijo Thomas
No: of Participants: 40
2. "Advanced Nanomaterials: Process, Characterisation and
Applications",
July 6-12, 2011
Sponsored by MHRD-AICTE
Coordinators:
Dr.N Sandhyarani, Dr. Soney Varghese
No: of Participants: 70
Faculty
C. B. Sobhan, Ph. D., Professor
Coordinator, Nanotechnology Research Laboratory
Ph. D. Mechanical Engineering (Heat Transfer), IIT Madras, India
Post Doctoral Research: Purdue University, USA
Visiting Fellowships/Visiting Faculty Positions: NTU Singapore, University of Wisconsin, USA,
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA, University of Colorado, USA, Georgia Institute of
Technology, USA
Research Areas: Microscale and Nanoscale Heat Transfer, Thermal Phenomena in Nanofluids,
Optical Measurements, Molecular Dynamics modeling, Carbon Nanotubes
N. Sandhyarani, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Coordinator, Nanoscience Research Laboratory
Ph. D. Chemistry (Nanomaterials), IIT Madras, India
Post Doctoral Research: University of Notre Dame, USA, Cornell University, USA
Visiting Fellowship : Pohang University of Science and Technology, South Korea
Research Areas: Surface Chemistry, Bio-nanotechnology, Nano-enabled Sensors, Targeted Drug
Delivery Systems
Sarith.P.Sathian, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Coordinator, Computational Nanotechnology Laboratory
Ph.D. Aerospace Engineering, IIT Madras, India
Visiting Fellowships:
RWTH, Germany, Russian Academy of Sciences
Research Areas:
Micro flows and nano flows, Rarefied gas flows, Multiscale modelilng
Faculty
Soney Varghese, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Coordinator, Nano and Display Research Laboratory
Ph.D. Chemistry (Nanofabrication) University of Eindhoven,The Netherlands
Research Areas:
Characterization, Nanopatterns, Liquid Crystal Display, Conducting Polymers
V. Sajith, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
Coordinator, Fuels and Combustion Laboratory
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering (Optical Measurements), NIT Calicut, India
Visiting Assignments:
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA
Research Areas:
Optical Measurements, Microchannel flows, Nanofluids, Nanotechnology in Combustion
and Fuels, IC Engines
T. Hanas, Assistant Professor
Ph.D. Materials Science (ongoing), NIT Calicut, India
Research Area
Polymer Nanocomposites
Shijo Thomas, Assistant Professor
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering (ongoing), NIT Calicut, India
Research Areas:
Heat Transfer in Nanofluids, Carbon Nanotube Synthesis
Contact us@
Dr.C.B. Sobhan
Head, School of Nano Science and Technology
E mail : csobhan@nitc.ac.in