Department of Chemistry National Institute of Technology Calicut

Department of Chemistry National Institute of Technology Calicut

Department • The Department of Chemistry stands for excellence in chemical education and research. • It has a strong record of achievement in chemical science and technology research with the support of a dynamic team consisting of teaching staff, nonteaching staff, project fellows and inspired research students.

Department…. • The areas covered under the department’s teaching include fundamental chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry and the related technological extensions.

VISION AND MISSION • Vision of the department: High quality performance in chemical education and training • Mission of the department: To contribute quality education in chemical science and technology in compliance with the vision and mission of NITC.

FACULTY AND THEIR AREAS OF SPECIALIZATION

Faculty • • • Dr C. Arun ( Bio-inorganic Chemistry) Dr G. Unnikrishnan (Polymer Science and Technology) Dr Lakshmi C. (Bio-organic Chemistry) Dr Lisa Sreejith (Physical Chemistry) Dr Parameswaran P. ( Theoretical Chemistry) Dr Sujith A. ( Membrane Chemistry and Technology) Dr Suni Vasudevan( Bio-inorganic Chemistry) • • (Adhoc Faculty) Dr Anuj A. Varghese (High Energy Materials) • •

LIST OF Ph. D. PROGRAMMES COMPLETED

Sl. No. Title Name of research scholar Supervisor Status 1. Transport characteristics of natural rubber/ ethylene vinyl acetate blends Dr. A. Sujith G. Unnikrishnan Degree awarded by NITC in 2006; Post-doc at AIST, Japan; Now faculty member of NITC 2. Development and characterization of styrene butadiene rubber/ ethylene vinyl acetate blends Dr. C. K. Radhakrishnan G. Unnikrishnan Degree awarded By NITC in 2006; Currently Head, Dept of Chemistry, M. A. M. O. College, Calicut 3. Studies on short sisal/ coir hybrid fibre reinforced natural rubber composites Ms. A. P. Haseena G. Unnikrishnan Degree awarded By NITC in 2006 ; Currently Scientist at GE, Bangalore 4. Development and characterization of styrene butadiene rubber/ ethylene propylene rubber blends Dr. Muraleedharan Nair G. Unnikrishnan Degree awarded by M. G. University, Kottayam in 2006; Currently Asst. Director, CFSC, Industries Dept. , Govt. of Kerala

5. Studies on EVA composites Dr. Priya Dasan K. G. Unnikrishnan Degree awarded by Calicut University in 2006, Currently Asst. Professor, VIT, Vellore 6. Investigation on styrene butadiene rubber/ acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blends Dr. Habeeb Rahiman G. Unnikrishnan Degree awarded By NITC in 2007 ; Currently Training Specialist, Higher Institute for Plastic Fabrication, KSA. 7. Development of silicone rubber/ ethylene vinyl acetate blends for biomedical applications Dr. B. Ganesh G. Unnikrishnan Degree awarded by NITC in 2008; Postdoc at Chalmers University, Sweden 8. Sorption and diffusion of organic penetrants through SBR/EVA blends Dr. Padmini M. G. Unnikrishnan Degree awarded by Calicut University in 2007; Currently Principal, Govt. Arts & Science College, Calicut 9. Nylon-6/ NBR composites Dr Rajesh C. G. Unnikrishnan Degree awarded by Calicut University in 2008; Currently Principal –in. Charge, Higher Secondary School, Calicut

10. Sisal fibre reinforced polyester resin composites Dr. P. A. Sreekumar G. Unnikrishnan Degree awarded By NITC in 2008; Currently faculty at King Fahad University, KSA 11. Sorption and diffusion characteristics of natural rubber/ acrylonitrile butadiene rubber blends Dr. Prajitha Kumari G. Unnikrishnan Degree awarded in 2009; Prepares for a post-doc at Lunghwa University, Taiwan 12 Physico- chemical studies on protein surfactant interactions in aqueous medium Dr. Jinu George Lisa Sreejith Degree awarded in 2009; Faculty at Sacred Heart College, Thewara 13. Thermotunable fluids and soft nano gels from surfactant organized assemblies Dr. Sudheesh P Lisa Sreejith Degree awarded in 2009; Faculty at Karunya University, Cimbatore 14. Development of aluminium and magnesium alloy based metal matrix composites Dr J. S. Suresh Babu G. Unnikrishnan With Prof. K P Nair, MED, NITC Degree awarded in 2009; Currently postdoc at Pusan National University, South Korea

15. Influence of mode of vulcanization and reinforcement on the physical properties of EPDM/ EVA blends Ms. Shyla George G. Unnikrishnan Degree awarded in 2010, Lecturer, Nirmalagiri College, Koothuparambu 16. A study on pesticide migration in soil- waterplant environment using isotopically labelled potassium phosphonate Mr Anil Kumar G. Unnikrishnan With Dr K. Vasu, CWRDM, Defense over. , Technical Officer in pharmaceutical firm, Bangalore 17. Modification of the properties of SBR latex by the addition of chitin nanoparticles Mr P. Aneesh G. Unnikrishnan Defense over Thermotunable fluids and soft nano gels from surfactant organized assemblies Dr. Sudheesh. P Dr. Lisa Sreejith

MAJOR AREAS OF RESEARCH

• • • • Biomaterials Polymer nano composites Surface Chemistry Multiphase Polymer Systems, Nano composites Development of Polymer Products Transport Process through Membranes Soft Materials Liquid Crystal displays Nanostructured Materials Bio-organic Chemistry Theoretical and Computational Chemistry Bio-inorganic Chemistry Bioactive Metal Complexes

MAJOR FACILITIES

• UV Visible Spectrometer • Flame Photometer • Nephlo turbidity • Refractometer • Spectroflurometer • Iodine droper • Dipolemeter • Analytical Balance • UTM • Deep freezer • • • Densimeter Potentiometer Conductometer p. H meter Colorimeter Polarimeter Ultrasonicator MFI Brookefield DV-II + Viscometer • Muffle furnace

PUBLICATIONS • • Dr Dr C. Arun G. Unnikrishnan Lakshmi C. Lisa Sreejith Parameswaran P. Sujith A Suni Vasudevan - 10 65 9 47 7 6 7

PATENTS • Dr. Lisa Sreejith and Dr. Sudheesh. P, Soft Materials Research Laboratory, Department filed an Indian Patent Application No. 2501/CHE/2009 on Oct. 13, 2009 vide Ref. no. 4976/SVS/SN/471/2009. • Dr. Lisa sreejith and Jinu George , Preparation of PVA/PEG/nanochitin Hydrogel for biomedical applications (pending with TIFAC, DST New Delhi.

Details of research projects undertaken / ongoing (during last 10 years)

SL. NO. TITLE ROLE AGENCY 1. Development and characterization of high performance polymer blends for engineering applications Principal Investigator CREC 2. Transport characteristics of natural rubber/ ethylene vinyl acetate blends , , MHRD 3. Pervaporation of organic solvent mixtures through styrene butadiene rubber/ ethylene vinyl acetate blend membranes , , CSIR 4. Development of artificial appliances from low temperature thermoplastics for use in rehabilitation medicine , , DST 5. Black reinforced polypropylene: Effects of nature and loading of filler on the mechanical properties , , Kerala STEC

6. Glass fibre reinforced nitrile rubber composites , , Kerala STEC 7. Investigation on the electrical properties of Indian cashew nut shell liquid , , Kerala STEC 8. Establishment of technical interface center for KVIC Investigator (Chemical) KVIC 9. Development and characterization of metal matrix composites based on aluminium Co-investigator Kerala STEC 10 Isotopic investigation of Kozhikode urban and rural area with reference to surface water and ground water hydrology Co-investigator DST 11. Development of SR/EPDM blends for the fabrication of orthotic appliances Principal Investigator Sanctioned by UGC

12. Development of nanocomposites Principal from EVA chitin and natural fibres Investigator (India); with Prof. Jim Guthrie of University of Leeds UKIERL, British Council 13. Multiferroic polymer nanocomposite structures for spintronic memory devices Inter NIT Project Investigator (With Dr Hemalatha, NIT Trichy)

EXTERNAL FUNDED PROJECTS 1 Title : Temperature Dependent Optical Switch from Organized Assemblies Funding Agency: UGC-DAE-CSR, Anupuram node, IGCAR, Kalpakkam Amount in lakhs: 10 Status: Ongoing 2 Title : Mesophase Formation and Characterisation of Organised Assemblies Funding Agency: Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment GOVERNMENT OF KERALA Amount in lakhs: 5 Status: Ongoing 3 Title : Development of profluorophase scaffolds to probe peptide aggregation & conformational transition Funding Agency: DST-FAST Track Project Amount in lakhs: 20. 7 Status: Ongoing

4. Title : Synthesis and grafting of thermo responsive hydrogels on nanoporous polymer membranes by electron beam irradiation for implantable drug delivery systems [BRNS] Funding Agency: BRNS Amount in lakhs: 16 Status: Ongoing 5. Title : ‘Development of chitosan reinforced polymer nanocomposites’ Funding Agency: DST-FAST Track Project Amount in lakhs: 19. 9 Status: Ongoing

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

• 1. Dr. G. Unnikrishnan – – – _ _ – • 2. Dr. A. Sujith UGC Research Fellowship (1992) Prof. Shankarlal Memorial National Award [IIT Kharagpur] (1994) IPCL Award (1994) Young Scientist Award, Indian Science Congress (1996) Best Research Paper Award, NITC (2005 - 2006) Best Performer (Among Faculty) Award , NITC (2009 -2010) Best Young Teacher Award NITC 2010

Student Placement records • The first M Sc (Tech) [Polymer Science & Technology] batch completed degree during 2010 -2011. Out of nine registered, 4 of them pursue Ph. D programme. 5 of them got placed in industries such as Synthite, BASF, and Asian Paints.

CONFERENCES / WORKSHOPS CONDUCTED DURING LAST 5 YEARS

• International Conference -2009 Polymcon ’ 09 – Polymers Changing Frontiers’ – 9 th – 11 th January 2009 Co-ordinator – Dr. G. Unnikrishnan Organized by NIT Calicut in association with Leeds University, UK • International Conference – 2010 ‘Functional Polymers’ – 28 th – 30 th January 2011 Co-ordinator – Dr. G. Unnikrishnan Organized by NIT Calicut in association with Leeds University, UK

• Faculty Development Programme – 2011 ‘Current Trends in Organometallic Chemistry’ – 4 th – 8 th July 2011 Co-ordinator – Dr. Parameswaran Pattiyil and Dr. Suni Vasudevan Organised by NIT Calicut and sponsored by MHRD • National Conference – 2011 ‘Development of Chemistry through Ages’ – 4 th – 6 th August 2011 Co-ordinator – Dr. Lisa Sreejith Organised by NIT Calicut

Academic programmes • M Sc ( Tech) - Six semester programme • Ph D - All major chemistry disciplines • B Tech - S 1 and S 3 • M Tech - MST (Mech. Engg. Dept)

Courses • The department offers a variety of courses for the B Tech, M Tech and M Sc (Tech) and Ph D students.

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