Page 7 - CFM-Annual Newsletter 2021

Recent advances in Nanotechnology for energy, environment, and health

Prof. Subramanian Tamil Selvan, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, February 24
th
Prof. Subramanian Tamil Selvan explained the emerging Nanotechnology paradigm
for various applications ranging from energy, environment to biomedical health

sciences. Nanoparticles (NPs) endowing optical (surface plasmon resonance, e.g., Au
NP; fluorescence, e.g., quantum dots, upconversion NP), magnetic (e.g., iron oxide
NP), and mechanical (e.g., composites such as graphene and carbon nanotubes)

properties help design chemical/ electrochemical sensors for the environment (e.g.,
food safety, pollutants removal), electrodes in energy (batteries, solar cells), and
biosensors or drug carriers in the biomedical sector. This talk mainly focuses on our recent synthesizing

multifunctional NPs and their potentials for cancer bio-sensing, bio-imaging, and therapeutic
applications. In addition, the webinar gave the prospects of nanomedicine in neurodegenerative diseases
(e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's).

Metal -Semiconductor interfaces for beyond Moore applications

Prof. Tamalika Banerjee, University of Groningen, Netherlands, March 31
st
Prof. Tamalika Banerjee from the University of Groningen, Netherlands, delivered a
talk on the metal/semiconductor interface as a canonical interface crucial to the
development of spintronics. After a brief introduction to the critical phenomena in
spintronics, she discussed the charge and spin transport across such interfaces using

an unconventional semiconductor. Remarkably, we find applications for such devices
in new computing strategies. For example, computing inspired by the human brain

requires a massively parallel architecture of low-power consuming elements of which
the internal state can be changed. Non-volatile memory devices like memristors are explained based on
Schottky contacts on Nb-doped SrTiO3 memristive components. The main scope of findings is relevant
beyond Moore applications, where a simultaneous integration of memory and logic functionalities in the

same device is a prerequisite.

Exploring spin and lattice dynamics in laser-excited solids

Dr. Sakshath Sadashivaiah, Helmholtz Institute Jena, Germany, April 30
th
Dr. Sakshath, a Senior Scientist from Helmholtz Institute Jena, Germany, AG X-ray Physics, discussed the
Time-resolved magneto-optical Kerr effect in exemplary magnetic thin films. He

showed that this could reveal the impact of exchange interactions, spin currents, and
spin scattering on ultrafast magnetization dynamics. Physical phenomena occur at
various rates corresponding to the energetics fundamental interactions involved.
New insights into the mechanisms of the phenomena can be obtained by probing

them at appropriate time scales. Femtosecond laser pulses can excite and examine
ultrafast phenomena in various materials. Such investigations have led to exciting

CFM Newsletter Jan. – Dec. 2021 7 Issue – 1