Advanced Nanomaterials for Clean Energy and Health Applications
Three Indian students from Coimbatore Institute of Technology (CIT), India have been undergoing research training at HVL. Pavithrakumar Palanichamy, Selvakumar Pitchaiya and Vinoth Pandi Dharmalingam from the Department of Physics at the CIT, arrived on 21st of August 2019. They are conducting research at HVL under Professor Dhayalan Velauthapillai.
Masters students from the Energy Environment and Social Change programme at the International Summer School of the University of Oslo, visited HVL and the ANCEHA research group as part of the filed excursion. On the 11th of July 2019 17 masters students from 17 countries visited HVL. Prof Dhayalan Velauthapillai gave an introductory lecture on clean energy technologies and it was followed by presentations from the members of the ANCEHA research group. Following the presentations, the students were taken to the lab for demonstrations to display the innovative research work conducted by the ANCEHA at HVL. Students spent a half day with the research group and were happy with what they experienced during the day.
Fatemeh Heidari Gourji, the new member of the ANCEHA research group presented her masters thesis in the bi-monthly research group meeting on the 12th june 2019. He titiel of the thesis is ‘Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Nano-photocatalysts based on Graphene’. In her prersentation she said: Photocatalysis has the signature of a promising technology that has several applications in environmental systems such as air purification, water disinfection, hazardous waste remediation, and water purification. In addition, the basic research that underlies the application of this technology is promoting a new understanding of the complex heterogeneous photochemical process of metal oxide systems in different environments. The continuous exploration of new phases and materials as potentially improved photocatalysts will most likely provide exciting results in the coming years. However, a more integrated use of theoretical and advanced experimental techniques will be crucial for achieving a rapid and significant enhancement of the performance.
Dr. Yohi Shivatharsiny, Senior lecturer, Department of Chemistry, University of Jaffna, has visited HVL for up to two weeks from 6th to 19th June 2019. She assisted visiting Master students from University of Jaffna at HVL with Gas Chromatography (Shimadzu GC-2010) for hydrogen evolution analysis.
Fatemeh Heidari Gourji joined HVL on 4 June 2019 as a PhD Research Fellow. Fatemeh’s PhD research will focus to implement new Nano structures and optimizing processes to develop high efficient, environmentally stable perovskite solar cells. She has a background in synthesis of Nano-photocatalysts with the aim of wastewater treatment. She has worked with TiO2 and Nano porous sheets of graphene Oxide specifically. She will be supervised by Prof. Dhayalan Velauthapillai.
On 22nd May 2019 visiting research students from University of Jaffna presented their research ideas for the ANCEHA research group at HVL. Arumugam Pirashanthan presentation was titled ‘role of thiophene derivative dyes in enhancing the performance of hybrid titanium dioxide / polymer solar cells’. In his presentation he argued Molecular electronic materials such as dyes, conjugated polymers, and small molecules are gaining much interest for applications in Photovoltaics. In particular, polymer blend and dye synthesized (photo electrochemical) solar cells play a major role in the field of organic Photovoltaics. Hence he is working with hybrid titanium dioxide /polymer and dye sensitized solar cells.
Sivagowri Shanmugaratnam presented ‘Transition metal chalcogenide [MS2] embedded TiO2 nanocomposites for hydrogen production over extended solar irradiation’. She said her work will focus on studying the impact of incorporation of transition metal chalcogenide on the active TiO2 nano composites for hydrogen production over extended solar irradiation.
Kajana Thirunavukarasu presented under the title ‘Storage of solar energy by heterostructured Silver-Metal oxides-SnS2 Photocapacitors’. Her study focus on synthesized heterostructured materials in the form of nanocomposites, characterize them and investigate their solar energy storage efficiency.
Three Sri Lankan students have been undergoing research training at HVL. Arumugam Pirashanthan, Sivagowri Shanmugaratnam and Kajana Thirunavukarasu from the Department of Physics, University of Jaffna, arrived on 8th of May 2019. They are conducting research at HVL under Professor Dhayalan Velauthapillai.
MeeNilankco Theiventhran was granted a NIAS-SUPRA Nordic Scholarship by the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS) at University of Copenhagen. MeeNilankco had his research stay from 23rd April to 5th of May where he presented his research and participated in seminars and workshops related to Asia. His contribution was well received and acknowledged by NIAS.
Link: http://nias.ku.dk/news/new-supras-nias-45
Nanthini Nagarajah, joined HVL on 03rd April 2019 and is currently attached to the Mohn Centre for Innovation and Regional Development. She has a Master in Development Practice from the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. Her research on Energy Policy and Management is titled ‘Entanglement Matters: Renewable Energy Sector Governance in Sri Lanka’. She is supervised by Prof. Arnt Fløysand and Dhayalan Velauthapillai.
8th Expert’s talk under HRNCET & CBERC Projects
Material Characterization Techniques
by
Professor Gamini Rajapakse
Senior Professor of Chemistry and Coordinator of the MSc Course in Nanoscience
and Nanotechnology (PGIS), University of Peradeniya
Abstract of the talk: Applications of advanced Analytical Techniques is mandatory for Material Characterization in R&D activities pertinent to Materials Science and Nanotechnology. Researchers using these techniques should be mastered in theory of the technique, proper handling of the instrument, trouble shooting and interpretation of results obtained. This lecture is intended to cover analytical techniques including a Voyage through Microscopic Techniques: Optical Microscopy through Electron Microscopy, Surface Analytical Techniques such as X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Auger Electron Spectroscopy, Power X-Ray Diffraction, Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, UV-Visible Spectroscopy and Electro-analytical Techniques such as Linear Sweep and Cyclic Voltametries, DC Conductivity Measurement and AC Impedance Spectroscopy.
Venue: Mini-Auditorium, Department of Physics
Date & Time: March 21, 2019 (Thursday), 15:00 – 17:00
Target group: Researchers and Final year students of the Faculty of Science
9th Expert’s talk under HRNCET & CBERC Projects
How to write a scientific article?
by
Professor Gamini Rajapakse
Senior Professor of Chemistry and Coordinator of the MSc Course in Nanoscience
and Nanotechnology (PGIS), University of Peradeniya
Abstract of the talk: Conducting scientific and clinical research is only the beginning of the scholarship of discovery. In order for the results of research to be accessible to other professionals and to have a potential effect on the greater scientific community, results obtained must be written and published. Scientific reports must be error-free, concise yet sufficiently descriptive and adhered to the format required for publication. Reviewers consider the following five criteria to be the most important in decision making: 1) the importance, timeliness, relevance, and prevalence of the problem addressed; 2) the quality of the writing style (i.e., that it is well‐written, clear, straightforward, easy to follow, and logical); 3) the study design applied (i.e., that the design was appropriate, rigorous, and comprehensive); 4) the degree to which the literature review was thoughtful, focused, and up‐to‐date; and 5) the use of a sufficiently large sample in case of associated statistical analysis. Journal articles usually have a common structure comprising of Title, Author Details, Abstracts, Keywords, Introduction, Materials and Methods (Experimental), Results and Discussion, Conclusions, References and Associated Conflict of Interest Statement and Acknowledgement for Financial Support. A comprehensive literature survey and understanding the research question are to be done at the beginning. This could follow data analyses and when possible presenting in the form of clear and attractive figures and tables. Abstract should be a condensed form of the manuscript adhered to required word limit which can be written after completing other sections. It is always advisable to put reference DOI within the manuscript so that standard referencing system can be easily used. Conclusions should not be the summary of the article but clear conclusions that can be drawn from the results described in the manuscript. Required form of referencing is also mandatory.
* Brief profile of the speaker
Gamini Rajapakshe is a Senior Professor of Chemistry with diverse research interests in Nanotechnology. He holds BSc Hons (Chemistry, Peradeniya), Ph.D. (Imperial College) and DIC, FNASSL. He has Teaching experience as Undergraduate and Postgraduate Teacher for more than 30 years. He supervised several PhD and master degree theses/dissertations. He has, to his credit, over 100 indexed publications and over 200 publications and communications, in total, and written several Textbooks for GCE Advanced Level and for BSc Degree Level Chemistry curricula. His academic and research activities have been rewarded by awarding 15 National Awards for Excellence in Research, including CVCD award for the most Outstanding Senior Researcher in the field of Physical Sciences. He is a pioneer in establishing MSc Programme in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology and SLINTEC. He has also participated in the First Discussion on Establishing the Institute of (National) Fundamental Studies.