Nanomaterials continue to fascinate researchers all over the world with their unique properties and novel characteristics, which find them wide applications in various fields. Synthesis of nanocrystalline materials and their characterization forms the core of research work at our group. We use high energy ball milling as primary method to produce nanocrystalline powders, while X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used for their detailed characterization. Recently our focus has been on nanomaterials with greater technological relevance such as nano thermo-electric materials, nanocrystalline soft-magnetic alloys and nano composites.

Nano thermoelectric materials - The search for newer and cleaner alternative energy sources are the need of the present day. Waste heat recovery and conversion of it into useful energy is the basis of thermoelectric materials. The efficiency of such materials is characterized by Thermoelectric figure of merit ZT=S²s/k where S=Seebeck Coefficient, s= Electrical Conductivity, k=Thermal Conductivity where k=k_e + k_l; k_e due to electronic conduction and  k_l due to lattice vibrations. Read More