Research

Our laboratory is focused on fabrication, functionalization, and formation of nanomaterial-based 3D structures for various applications.   We work on two dimensional nanomaterial fabrication using shear exfoliation, chemical vapor deposition, laser processing, etc. Fabricated 2D nanomaterials are incorporated others materials to obtain multifunctional composite materials for different applications including sensing, separation and energy.  

Shear Exfoliated Two-Dimensional Material-Polymer Nanocomposites and Their Application as Desalination Membranes :This project investigates an emerging method of preparing and incorporating the nanomaterials within the polymer itself by shear exfoliation and subsequent micro/nanoscale patterning by feedback-controlled direct ink writing (DIW)-based manufacturing technique. Through a fundamental understanding of bonding and nanofiller dispersion within these nanocomposites, multifunctional devices can be manufactured in a more environmentally friendly manner. The outcome of this research can lead to innovative polymer nanocomposite devices utilized in fields like water desalination. 

Microscale Thermography of Porous  Materials and nanocomposites: Micro-scale infrared thermography (MIRT)  in its active (with pulsed energy source) or passive form, can measure porosity, chemical heterogeneity, wettability with consideration of pore spreading dynamics, and thermal diffusivity/temperature evolution. We use MIRT to study porous materials and nanocomposites.

Critical material harvesting for clean energy applications: We utilize membrane-based techniques to separate water and critical minerals such as lithium that can be used for clean energy applications. Both thermal membrane distillation and electrical field based separation techniques are explored for this purpose. Pur team works on both membrane and system development.

Flexible nanocomposite sensors: We utilize shear exfoliated nanocomposite inks to print flexible sensors that can be used as soft sensors for health care monitoring, soft robotics, etc. 

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