Dr.Suraj Soman

Dr.Suraj Soman
Professional Experience
  • 2018 - till date, Scientist, Photosciences and Photonics Section, Chemical Sciences & Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), India.
  • 2014 - 2018, DST-INSPIRE Faculty, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), India.
  • 2011 - 2014, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University (MSU), MI, USA [under guidance of Prof. Thomas W. Hamann].
  • 2008 - 2011, Graduate Research Assistant, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland.

Industrial Experience

  • The Dow Chemical Co.
  • The Dow Chemical Co.
  • SolarPrint, Ireland
Technology Transfer

Technology Transfer

Title: DSSC Module fabrication process in parallel interconnection including the range of equipment’s (screen printers, five head robotic system, furnace, dye coating system and hole drilling robot), optimization and standardization protocols

Period during which developed : 2017-2020
Date of Transfer : 31st October 2019
Organization/Industry to which licensed : Elixir Technologies, Bangalore

Products/Prototypes Developed

  • DSC integrated Self-Powered Temperature Sensor/Clock
  • DSC integrated Self-Powered Perfume Dispenser
  • DSC powered LED reading lamp
  • DSC coupled electrochromic system
  • DSC powered calculator
Publications

Publications (after joining CSIR-NIIST)

2019

  • Triple bond rigidified anthracene-triphenylamine sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells
    M. Yoosuf, S. C. Pradhana, Suraj Soman,* K. R. Gopidas*
    Solar Energy, 188, 2019, 55.
  • Variation of the donor and acceptor in D-A-π-A based cyanopyridine dyes and its effect on dye sensitized solar cells
    B Hemavathi, V Jayadev, Praveen C Ramamurthy, Ranjith Krishna Pai, Narayanan Unni KN, TN Ahipa, Suraj Soman,* Geetha Balakrishna*
    New Journal of Chemistry, 43, 2019, 15673.
  • Indolo[3,2-b]indole donor-based D-π-A dyes for DSCs: investigating the role of π-spacers towards recombination
    P. V. Santhini, Jayadev V., Sourava C. Pradhan, Sivasankaran Lingamoorthy, Nitha P. R., Chaithanya M. V., Rakesh K. Mishra, Narayanan Unni K. N., Jubi John and Suraj Soman*
    New J. Chem.,
    43, 2019, 862.

2018

  • Resurgence of DSCs with copper electrolyte: a detailed investigation of interfacial charge dynamics with cobalt and iodine based electrolytes
    Sourava C Pradhan, Anders Hagfeldt, Suraj Soman*
    Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 6, 2018, 22204.
  • A detailed evaluation of charge recombination dynamics in dye solar cells based on starburst triphenylamine dyes
    Manikkedath V Vinayak, Muhammed Yoosuf, Sourava C Pradhan, Thyagarajan M Lakshmykanth, Suraj Soman,* Karical R Gopidas
    Sustainable Energy & Fuels, 2, 2018, 303.
  • Probing Recombination Mechanism and Realization of Marcus Normal Region Behavior in DSSCs Employing Cobalt Electrolytes and Triphenylamine Dyes
    Suraj Soman,* Sourava C Pradhan, Muhammed Yoosuf, Manikkedath V Vinayak, Sivasankaran Lingamoorthy, Karical R Gopidas
    The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 122, 2018, 14113.
  • Intramolecular Exciton-Coupled Squaraine Dyes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
    Takeshi Maeda, Tay V Nguyen, Yuki Kuwano, Xixi Chen, Kyohei Miyanaga, Hiroyuki Nakazumi, Shigeyuki Yagi, Suraj Soman, Ayyappanpillai Ajayaghosh*
    The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 122, 2018, 21745.
  • Aggregation induced light harvesting of molecularly engineered D-A-π-A carbazole dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells
    B Hemavathi, V Jayadev, Sourava C Pradhan, G Gokul, Kusuma Jagadish, GK Chandrashekara, Praveen C Ramamurthy, Ranjith Krishna Pai, KN Narayanan Unni, TN Ahipa, Suraj Soman,* R Geetha Balakrishna*
    Solar Energy, 174, 2018, 1085.
  • Enhancement of the photovoltaic performance in D3A porphyrin-based DSCs by incorporating an electron withdrawing triazole spacer
    V. Nikolaou, A. Charisiadis, S. Chalkiadaki, I. Alexandropoulos, S. C. Pradhan, Suraj Soman,* M. K. Panda,* A. G. Coutsolelos*
    Polyhedron, 140, 2018, 9.

2017

  • Fine tuning compact ZnO blocking layers for enhanced photovoltaic performance in ZnO based DSSC: a detailed insight using β recombination, EIS, OCVD and IMVS techniques
    S. Swetha, Suraj Soman,* S. C. Pradhan, K. N. Narayanan Unni,* B. N. Nair, U. S. Hareesh*
    New J. Chem., 41, 2017, 1007.
  • Synthesis and isotope effects on the excited state properties of N-N bound [Ir(polypyridyl)2Cl2]PF6 complexes
    Suraj Soman, Hamid M. Younis, Wesley R. Browne, Johannes G. Vos and Mary T. Pryce*
    Eur. J. Inorg. Chem., 47, 2017, 5598.
  • Stibnite sensitized hollow cubic TiO2 photoelectrodes for organic-inorganic heterojunction solar cells
    Ganapathy Veerappana, Kan Zhang, Suraj Soman, Nansra Heo, Jong Hyeok Park*
    Solar Energy, 157, 2017, 434.

2016

  • Modulating FRET in Organic-Inorganic Nanohybrids and its Application for Photovoltaics/in Light Harvesting Applications
    A. Gopi, S. Lingamoorthy, Suraj Soman,* K. Yoosaf,* R. Haridas, Suresh Das*
    J. Phys. Chem. C., 120, 2016, 26569.
  • Understanding Structure-Property Correlation of Metal Free Organic Dyes using Interfacial Electron Transfer Measurements
    J. S. Panicker, B. Balan,* Suraj Soman,* V. C. Nair
    Solar Energy, 139, 2016, 547.
  • Thiophene-Bithiazole Based Metal-Free Dye as DSSC Sensitizer: Effect of Co-Adsorbents on Photovoltaic Efficiency
    J. S Panicker, B. Balan*, Suraj Soman*, V. C. Nair
    J. Chem. Sci., 128, 2016, 101.
  • Effect of Recombination and Binding Properties on The Performance of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells Based on Propeller Shaped Triphenylamine Dyes with Multiple Binding Groups
    M. V. Vinayak, T. M. Lakshmykanth, M. Yoosuf, Suraj Soman,* K. R. Gopidas*
    Solar Energy, 124, 2016, 227.

2015

  • Strategies for Optimizing the Performance of Carbazole Thiophene Appended Unsymmetrical Squaraine Dyes For Dye Sensitized Solar Cells
    Suraj Soman,* M. A. Rahim, S. Lingamoorthy, C. H. Suresh, Suresh Das*
    Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 17, 2015, 23095.
  • Molecular Systems for Solar H2: Path to a Renewable Future
    Suraj Soman*
    Comments Inorg. Chem., 35, 2015, 82.

Publications before joining CSIR-NIIST (PhD & post-doc)

  • Cyclometalated Sensitizers for DSSCs Employing Cobalt Redox Shuttles
    Suraj Soman, Y. Xie, T. W. Hamann*
    Polyhedron, 82, 2014, 139. (Accepted in special issue for Michael Grätzel)
  • New Synthetic Pathways to the Preparation of Near-Blue Emitting Heteroleptic Ir(III)N6 Coordinated Compounds with Microsecond Lifetimes
    Suraj Soman, J. C. Manton, J. L. Inglis, W. R. Browne, L. De Cola, J. G. Vos,* M. T. Pryce*
    Chem. Commun., 50, 2014, 6461. (Listed as top ten highest downloaded papers in 2014)
  • Wavelength Dependent Photocatalytic H2 Generation Using Iridium-Pt/Pd Complexes
    Suraj Soman, G. S. Bindra, A. Paul, M. Schulz, D. Dini, C. Long, M. T. Pryce,* J. G. Vos*
    Dalton Trans., 41, 2012, 12678.
  • The Role of Bridging Ligand in Hydrogen Generation by Photocatalytic Ru/Pd Assemblies
    G. S. Bindra, M. Schulz, A. Paul, Suraj Soman, J. L. Inglis, W. R. Browne, M. G. Pfeffer, S. Rau, B. J. MacLean, M. T. Pryce,* J. G. Vos*
    Dalton Trans., 41, 2012, 13050.
  • The Effect of Peripheral Bipyridine Ligands on the Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production Activity of Ru/Pd Catalysts
    G. S. Bindra, M. Schulz, A. Paul, Suraj Soman, R. Groarke, J. Inglis, M. T. Pryce, W. R. Browne, S. Rau, B. J. Maclean, J. G. Vos*
    Dalton Trans., 40, 2011, 10812.
  • Reinvestigating 2,5-Di(pyridin-2-yl)pyrazine Ruthenium Complexes: Selective Deuteration and Raman Spectroscopy as Tools to Probe Ground and Excited-State Electronic Structure in Homo- and Heterobimetallic Complexes
    M. Schulz, J. Hirschmann, A. Draksharapu, G. Singh Bindra, Suraj Soman, A. Paul, R. Groarke, M. T. Pryce, S. Rau, W. R. Browne, J. G. Vos*
    Dalton Trans., 40, 2011, 10545.
  • Photoinduced ligand isomerization in a pyrazine-containing ruthenium polypyridyl complex
    S. Horn, H. M. Y. Ahmed, H. P Hughes, Suraj Soman, W. R. Browne and J. G. Vos*
    Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 9, 2010, 985.

Books Published

  • Gokul G., Pradhan S.C., Soman S. (2019) Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells as Potential Candidate for Indoor/Diffused Light Harvesting Applications: From BIPV to Self-powered IoTs. In: Tyagi H., Agarwal A., Chakraborty P., Powar S. (eds) Advances in Solar Energy Research. Energy, Environment, and Sustainability. Springer, Singapore

Technical Reports

  • New Approaches for the Generation of Hydrogen from Water Using Visible Light, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Europe, STRIVE, 2013, ISBN: 978-1-84095-506-4.
  • Building Comprehensive Networks to Address the Sustainable Energy Challenge with Focus on Rural India. ACS Energy Lett. 2017, 2, 2449−2451. [Report made as part of the workshop on Translating Clean Energy Research to Rural India was recently held at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER Pune), Pune, India, September 4−8, 2017, which was jointly organized by the University of Edinburgh, U.K. and IISER Pune]

Patents

  • Thermoresponsive Molecules for Controlled heat and Light Transmission Windows and Applications Thereof, Filed on December 18, 2019, Names of other inventors: Ayyappanpillai Ajayaghosh, Satyajit Das, Suraj Soman, Adersh Asok, Sreejith Shankar Pooppanal
Alumni
  1. Mr. Sabu S. Devan
  2. Mr. Gokul G. [HMT Machine Tools Ltd, Kochi]
Academic Qualification
  • Ph.D. in Chemistry (2008-2011) from Department of Chemistry, Dublin City University (DCU), Dublin, Ireland
    Thesis Title: Novel iridium complexes for photocatalytic hydrogen generation from water using sunlight
    Thesis Supervisors: Prof. Han Vos and Prof. Mary T. Pryce
  • M.Sc. in Chemistry (2006-2008) from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India with First Rank and Gold Medal from University (91.3%)
  • B.Sc. in Chemistry (Main) with Physics and Mathematics as subsidiary subjects (2003-2006) from Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala with First Rank and Gold Medal from University (99.4%)
Group
Lingamoorthy Mr. Lingamoorthy Sivasankaran (Co-guide)
Guide: Dr. A. Ajayaghosh
CSIR-Senior Research Fellow (SRF)
Email: logoling[at]gmail.com
Research Area: Synthesis of Carbazole & Phenothiazine based Organic Dyes, Device Fabrication and Characterization
Sourava Mr. Sourava Chandra Pradhan
Project Assistant
Email: souv89[at]gmail.com
Research Area: Device Engineering (Modules), Development of Perturbation Techniques, Copper Electrolytes-Zombies, DCDs
Jayadev Mr. Jayadev V (Co-Guide)
Guide: Dr. Narayanan Unni K. N.
Project Assistant
Email: jayadev[at]niist.res.in
Research Area: Device Physics of metal free dyes, Cobalt Electrolytes, Mass-transport studies
Anooja Mrs. Anooja J
CSIR-Senior Research Fellow (SRF)
Email: anooja1993[at]gmail.com
Research Area: Semiconductor Modification, Device Fabrication and interfacial device dynamics
Sruthi Ms. Sruthi M. M.
UGC-Junior Research Fellow (JRF)
Email: sruthimm9[at]gmail.com
Research Area: Design and development of new Cu electrolytes, synthesis of thiocyanate free Ru dyes, Device Fabrication & Characterization
Jebin Mrs. Ramees Jebin P.
CSIR-Junior Research Fellow (JRF)
Email: rjebip[at]gmail.com
Research Area: Synthesis of novel Triphenylamine Dyes, Device fabrication and characterization
Nisha Ms. Nisha Anna Philip
Project Assistant (DST Inspire Student)
Email: nishaannaphilip[at]gmail.com
Research Area: Device Dynamics and investigation of recombination in new generation Cu electrolyte based DSCs

 

Research Interest

Research Interest

Dr. Suraj’s interdisciplinary research group focus on to establish structure-function relationships by understanding and advancing the fundamental knowledge rooted in Chemistry, Physics, Material Science and Engineering through multidisciplinary and collaborative partnerships leading to performance enhancements in next generation nature inspired disruptive molecular photovoltaic technologies: Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs) and Perovskite Solar Cells (PSCs).

Projects

Completed Projects After Joining CSIR-NIIST

  • Title: Indigenous Development of Semi-Automatic Equipment’s for Large Area Dye-Sensitized Solar Module Fabrication
    Duration and Cost: June 2017 to May 2020 [221 Lakhs]
    Role: Co-Principal investigator and Activity Leader for Dye Solar Module Development
    Sponsoring Agency: DST-SERI
  • Title: Solar Hydrogen: An alternate avenue employing dye-sensitized devices
    Duration and Cost: May 2014 to May 2019 [87 Lakhs]
    Role: Principal investigator
    Sponsoring Agency: DST-INSPIRE Faculty Award
  • Title: Novel approaches for solar energy conversion (NWP54) under Technologies and Products for Solar Energy Utilization through Networks (TAP-SUN)
    Duration: 2011 to 2016
    Role: Member
    Sponsoring Agency: CSIR

Projects Under Implementation

  • Title: Design and Development of Efficient, Stable and Cost Effective Organic Dyes and its application in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
    Duration and Cost: June 2019 to May 2022 [120 Lakhs]
    Role: Co-Principal investigator
    Sponsoring Agency: DST-SERB

Sanctioned Projects

  • Title: Engineering flexible dye-sensitized & perovskite solar cells/modules for self-powered wearable/portable electronics
    Duration: July 2020, 3 Years [134 Lakhs]
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Sponsoring Agency: CSIR-Mission Project
  • Title: Indigenous Fabrication of a Spray Pyrolysis System and Process for TCO Deposition for Optoelectronic Applications
    Date Sanctioned, Duration and Cost: July 2020, 2 Years [186 Lakhs]
    Role: Principal Investigator
    Sponsoring Agency: CSIR-FTT Project
  • Title: Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Nanomaterials for Non-Conventional Energy Technologies
    Duration: May 2020 [434 Lakhs]
    Role: Co-Principal Investigator
    Sponsoring Agency: DST-NanoMission Project
  • Title: Add on facility for fabrication and testing of dye-sensitized solar cells/modules
    Date Sanctioned, Duration and Cost: September 2019 [250 Lakhs]
    Role: Co-Principal investigator
    Sponsoring Agency: CSIR-Facility Creation
Research Areas

Research activities in our group comes under the umbrella of Renewable Energy and falls in two major verticals of Solar Photovoltaics and Solar Fuels aligning with the various missions of Government of India (Make in India, Smart City Mission, Digital India, Skill India etc.) and also line up with ´Atmanirbhar Bharat´ making India a self-reliant nation in the field of Photovoltaics through import substitution measures.

I. Dye-sensitized Solar Cells/Modules:
In the area of DSCs our activities spans into both basic and technology focused applied research as detailed below with re-aligned focus and objectives based on end-user requirements

(A) Basic Research

  1. Dye: Design and development of new organic dyes and thiocyanate free dyes that efficiently prevents recombination, compatible with alternate redox shuttles, stable, efficient and having spectral match with artificial/indoor lights realizing higher efficiencies in presence of CFL and LED lights (>25%). We are also working on dyes with variable colours for BIPV applications.
  2. Alternate Electrolytes: Synthesis of new cobalt and copper based electrolytes which are unreactive to silver grid lines in modules and is capable of achieving voltage above 1V from single junction device replacing conventional iodide/triiodide redox shuttles.
  3. Engineered Semiconductor Materials: With better scattering properties enabling higher performance in full sun and low light without compromising transparency for designs which are unique for BIPV DSSC façade applications.
  4. Polymer Conductive Electrodes: Cost-effective polymer electrodes such as PEDOT, metallized polymers, carbon/graphene based system etc. that are compatible with alternate electrolytes.
  5. Device Engineering: Modifications done in device architecture to suit to new molecules and material requirement’s. Currently involved in innovative device designs such as Zombies, Direct Contact Devices, Spacer Free Devices and Hole Free Devices.
  6. Indoor Photovoltaics: Optimization of indoor light measuring and characterization techniques partnering with EPFL, Switzerland and technical support from Dyenamo, Sweden.
  7. Device Physics: Optimization of a range of advanced electrical and optical perturbation techniques such as EIS, IMPS, IMVS, OCVD, charge extraction, current transients, PIA, Toolbox techniques etc. which gives an adept knowledge of performance limiting processes at various interface in DSCs.

(B) Applied Research

  1. Design and development of fabrication equipment’s for photovoltaics partnering with industry.
  2. Process optimization and fabrication of dye solar modules in various architectures.
  3. Integration of dye solar master-plates with energy harvesting and management backbone to realize self-powered gadgets.
  4. Development of spray pyrolysis machine for Conductive Coatings along with optimization of sols and process.
  5. Engineering Flexible Dye-sensitized Cells/Modules.
  6. Custom Modified Modules for BIPV Applications.

II. Perovskite Solar Cells/Modules:
A better understanding of the mechanism of photocurrent generation and subsequent optimization of cell fabrication techniques could render perovskite photovoltaics the champion among thin film photovoltaic technologies. In this regard our interdisciplinary team focusses on developing new blocking and scaffolding materials, and fabrication of highly efficient perovskite solar cells based on standard and newly made materials with metal contact and metal free scalable architectures leading to efficient, stable and scalable PSCs in both smaller and larger substrates. We are currently exploring the following aspects in PSC research.

  • Optimization of efficient devices in n-i-p and p-i-n architectures
  • HTL based and HTL free devices
  • Printable Perovskite cells/modules using carbon materials
  • Advanced characterization to probe the device dynamics employing perturbation techniques

III. Molecular Photocatalysis (Solar Fuels)

(A) Metal complexes for catalytic hydrogen generation and water oxidation

Efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity is not the complete answer to the impending energy crisis - we need to be able to store and transport energy. In this regard, many have championed the hydrogen economy as a clean fuel, but hydrogen is currently derived from methane and other petroleum-based products. Currently with our expertise on potential transition metal complex catalysts we are designing molecular and heterogeneous photocatalysts and electrocatalysts based on transition metal complexes, such as Ru, Co, Cu and Fe complexes that are capable of extracting hydrogen from water using sunlight as the energy source. We are particularly interested in gaining mechanistic information surrounding the complicated reaction landscape of water splitting, and to apply this information to commercially viable catalysts.

(B) Photocatalytic fuel generation with dye-sensitized water splitting devices

Molecular photocatalysis in solution will be extended to devices by immobilizing the molecular water reduction/oxidation catalyst on respective anode and cathode electrodes and designing devices for electrochemical and photo-electrochemical water splitting. Here, we want to build up on the reasonably well understood principles of dye-sensitized TiO2 (as used in dye-sensitized solar cells) and incorporate transition metal catalysts producing H2 from water (instead of producing electricity). We focus on developing solar H2 evolution systems that operates under visible light irradiation in water at room temperature.

IV. Phosphorescent Metal Complexes for OLED Applications
Research on organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), has been focused on devices composed of thin films containing organic/organometallic molecules that directly convert electricity to light. Heavy metal organometallic complexes have gained tremendous research interest for fabricating highly efficient phosphorescent OLEDs. These phosphorescent emitters are mainly derived from the family of the third-row transition metal (IrIII, ReI, OsII and PtII) complexes. With the rapidly growing market for OLED technology and its potential to revolutionize display technologies, we will be focusing on the development of new and novel iridium based structurally engineered metal complexes for lighting application.

Profile

Dr. Suraj’s scientific quest started from school days itself by winning awards at State and National Level School Science Fairs. An alumnus and gold medalist of Mahatma Gandhi University securing First Rank (99.4%) for his Bachelors and Masters in Chemistry (91.3%), Dr. Suraj obtained his Ph.D. from Dublin City University, Ireland followed by post-doctoral tenure at Michigan State University, USA. He was also fortunate to associate with few industries like SolarPrint Ireland, JCAP and Dow during his scientific career. He is a recipient of many prestigious awards including CSIR Young Scientist Award (2020), R. L. Thakur Young Scientist Award (2019), Best Emerging Young Scientist Award (2019), Kerala State Young Scientist Award (2018), BRICS Young Scientist Award (2017), International Strategic Cooperation Award (2015), DST-Inspire Faculty Award (2014), Indira Gandhi National Fellowship (2006), KVPY Fellowship (2004) etc. With his research he aims to increase the contribution of solar energy to the global energy mix by: (i) development of indigenous solar photovoltaic technologies for converting sunlight to electricity; and (ii) developing metal-based catalysts to efficiently store solar energy into clean hydrogen fuels.

Dr. Suraj started his independent research career as DST-Inspire Faculty at CSIR-NIIST on May 2014 and later on continued as Scientist at Chemical Sciences and Technology Division from October 2018 onwards. His prime research focus at NIIST is to address basic science issues related to new molecules, materials and methods for photovoltaics, in particular for Dye-sensitized Solar Cells (DSCs), which being the most efficient technology for harnessing indoor/artificial/diffused lights and the best available technology for semi-transparent coloured facades for BIPV applications. His group is involved in systematic variations of components and interrogating the performance limiting parameters with help of a range of home-made perturbation techniques. The general lessons learned from this exercise is ultimately used to develop design rules for next generation DSCs comprised of molecules and materials which are capable of overcoming the kinetic and energetic constraints of current generation photovoltaics. CSIR-NIIST has been making healthy strides in the area of renewable energy. Dr. Suraj’s team is focused on developing creative and out-of-the-box approaches utilizing the knowledge generated in laboratory to solve fundamental scientific problems and systematic transformation of this knowledge to demonstrate technologically relevant products to market in near future.

Dr. Suraj played the leadership role in setting up India’s first truly indigenous module fabrication line for dye-sensitized solar modules partnering with industry supported by DST-SERI initiative, which was commissioned at CSIR-NIIST in October 2018 and was licensed to Elixir Technologies, Bangalore on November 2019 for further commercialization. He is spearheading indigenous equipment development for 3rd generation photovoltaics through systematic industry-academia collaborations in a way to exploit these technologies for the future.

Invited Talks

Invited Lectures (India)

  • Delivered invited webinar for National College, Bandra, Mumbai on June 15, 2020.
  • Delivered invited webinar at MEDHA webinar series 2020 organized by Devaswom Board College, Thalayolaparambu, Kottayam, Kerala on May 20, 2020.
  • Delivered invited talk at Swadeshi Science Congress at CPCRI, Kasaragod on February 27, 2020.
  • Delivered invited talk at ICEM Conference on February 02, 2020.
  • Delivered invited talk at Government College, Kodenchery, Calicut as part of National Seminar on December 31, 2019.
  • Invited speaker at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Coimbatore, on Dec 16, 2019, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at Thangal Kunju Musaliar College of Engineering, Kollam, on Dec 14, 2019, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker as part of Ceramic Society Award Lecture at CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, on Dec 12, 2019.
  • Invited speaker at ICAFM Conference, CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, on Dec 10, 2019.
  • Invited speaker at Calicut University, on Dec 06, 2019, as part of Faculty Development Programme.
  • Invited speaker at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom, on Nov 22, 2019, as part of Jigyasa Programme.
  • Invited speaker at Government Brennan College, Thalassery, on Nov 18, 2019, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, on Oct 17, 2019, as part of Indo-Swiss Conference at CSIR-NIIST.
  • Invited speaker at JNC Conference, Kovalam, on Oct 01, 2019, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at Sri Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering, Pappanamcode, on Apr 27, 2019, as part of National Seminar by IEEE.
  • Invited speaker at IIT, Delhi, on Feb 21, 2019, as part of DST Clean Energy Initiative Global Summit.
  • Invited speaker at IIT, Kanpur, on Feb 20, 2019.
  • Invited speaker at IISc, Bangalore, on Feb 13, 2019, as part of MRSI Conference.
  • Invited speaker at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Cochin, on Jan 03, 2019, as part of IconMAT Conference.
  • Invited speaker at Union Christian College, Aluva, on Mar 02, 2018, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at Sacred Heart College, Thevara, on Jan 16, 2018, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at Government College, Calicut, on Dec 14, 2017, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at St. Teresa's College, Erankulam, on Dec 08, 2017, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at Nattakom Government College, on Oct 06, 2017, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram, on Sep 20, 2017, as part of EAS8 Conference.
  • Invited speaker at IISER Pune, on Sep 03, 2017, as part of Indo-UK Newton Bhaba Workshop.
  • Keynote Speaker as part of National technology Day, C-DAC, Thiruvananthapuram, on May 04, 2017.
  • Invited speaker at Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai, on Mar 28, 2017, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at University College, Thiruvananthapuram, on Mar 14, 2017, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at Nirmala College, Moovattupuzha, on Feb 27, 2017, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at CSIR-NPL, Delhi, on Dec 08, 2016, as part of IISF.
  • Invited speaker at NSS College for Women, Karamana, on Dec 16, 2015, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at Kochi Metro Rail Ltd. (KMRL), on Jun 02, 2015.
  • Invited speaker at Amal Jyoti Engineering College, Kanjirapally, on Apr 25, 2015, as part of Faculty Recharge Programme.
  • Invited speaker at Bishop Kurialacherry College, Amalagiri, Kottayam, on Jan 23, 2015, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram, on Nov 17, 2014, as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at St. Thomas College, Palai, on Oct 08, 2014 as part of National Seminar.
  • Invited speaker at Bishop Abraham Memorial College, Thurithicadu, on Sep 03, 2014, as part of National Seminar.

Invited Lectures (International)

  • Keynote speaker at Dyenamo thematic web workshops on DSSC using Cu-based redox mediators, 22 April 2020.
  • Invited as Keynote speaker at 2nd "DSSC Strikes Back" conference at Uppsala University Sweden, in October, 2019.
  • Invited speaker & Collaborative Research at École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, on Oct 20, 2017.
  • Invited speaker & Collaborative Research at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden, on Oct 18, 2017.
  • Keynote speaker at 1st "DSSC Strikes Back" conference at Uppsala University Sweden, on Oct 15, 2017.
  • Invited speaker at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China, on Jul 11, 2017, As part of BRICS Young Scientist Award Delegate.
  • Invited speaker at Imperial College, London, UK, on Jul 04, 2016.
  • Invited speaker at Swansea University, Wales, UK, on Jun 25, 2016.
  • Invited speaker at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, on Jun 26, 2015.
  • Invited speaker at University College Dublin, Ireland, on Jun 21, 2015.
  • Invited speaker at Dublin City University, Ireland, on Jun 07, 2015, As part of ISCA Award from SFI for collaborative research.
  • Invited speaker at University of Dallas, on Mar 16, 2014.
  • Invited speaker at University of Texas, Austin, on Mar 15, 2014.
  • Invited speaker at University of Notre Dame, on Jan 22, 2014.
  • Invited speaker at Purdue University, IN, USA, on Sep 07, 2013.
  • Invited speaker at Michigan State University, MI, USA, on Mar 03, 2013.
  • Invited speaker to present paper at MIT, Boston, USA, on Jul 01, 2011.
  • Invited speaker to present paper at University College Dublin, Ireland, on May 16, 2011.
  • Invited speaker to present paper at Dublin City University, Ireland on Apr 15, 2010.
Honors and Awards

Awards and Honours

A. National

  • CSIR Young Scientist Award for the year 2020 in Chemical Sciences, for developing semi-automatic equipment’s and process for dye-sensitized solar module fabrication and for the research involving alternate copper and cobalt electrolytes
  • R L Thakur Memorial Award for young scientists by Indian Ceramic Society 2019
  • Best Emerging Young Scientist Award by JNCASR, Bangalore 2019
  • Kerala State Young Scientist Award for the Year 2018
  • Selected for the BRICS Young Scientist Award by DST (Department of Science & Technology), India and MOST (Ministry of Science & Technology), China in 2017. Represented India as part of the Indian delegate team in 2nd BRICS Young Scientist Forum from July 11-15th at Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
  • Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Assistant Professorship in the Faculty of Chemical Sciences - 2015
  • Awarded with DST-INSPIRE Faculty Award in 2014 to develop new renewable energy technologies for solar fuel production and solar electricity
  • Qualified CSIR-NET in June 2008
  • First Rank and Gold Medal for Master’s Degree in Chemistry (Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India) by scoring 91.3% marks, 2008
  • First Rank and Gold Medal for Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry (Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India) scoring 99.4% marks (National Record Score for Chemistry), 2006
  • Awarded ″Rajiv Gandhi Science Talent Research Fellow″ for the year 2006 by Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore (JNCASR), India
  • Received the Prestigious ″Indira Gandhi Award″ for University First Rank Holder scoring highest mark for chemistry (bachelors) (99.4%) (2006-08)
  • Received KVPY Fellowship to carry out summer research project in 2005
  • Participated in National Science Olympiad in Bangalore (1998)
  • Zonal School Science Fair First Prize (1997) and State School Science Fair Second Prize (1997)

B. International

  • International Strategic Cooperation Award (ISCA) 2014 from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) for collaborative research work Dublin City University.
  • Received the meritorious Department of Energy (DOE), USA funding to work on development of new dyes and electrolytes under Thomas W. Hamann at Michigan State University, USA, 2011.
  • Received the meritorious research award from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), European Union on the project ″The design of new photocatalytic systems for the generation of hydrogen from H2O using solar energy″ at Dublin City University with Prof. Han Vos and Prof. Mary T. Pryce as Mentors in 2009.
  • Received prestigious Marie Curie Fellowship to work with Prof. Enrico Dalcanale, University of Parma, Italy in 2008.