CV of Sudakar Chandran

Sudakar Chandran

Professor

Department of Physics

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Chennai 600036

C. Sudakar is a leading figure in materials physics, known for his innovative research on defect-engineered materials and their applications in energy and technology. C. Sudakar, also known as Sudakar Chandran, is a prominent Indian physicist and professor in the Department of Physics at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the field of materials science, particularly in the study of multifunctional materials, nanomaterials, and defect engineering.

Background and Career

Sudakar serves as a Professor at IIT Madras, one of India’s premier institutions for science and technology. His research is centered on understanding the relationships between defects, structure, and properties in a variety of materials, including thin films, nanostructures, and complex heterostructures. His work has practical implications in areas such as energy storage, energy conversion, and advanced functional devices.

Before joining IIT Madras, Sudakar held significant research positions internationally. From May 2004 to August 2005, he conducted research at the Department of Materials Science at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) in Stockholm, Sweden. Following this, from September 2005 to August 2009, he worked as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He continued at Wayne State University as an Assistant Professor of Research from September 2009 to May 2010 before establishing his career at IIT Madras.

Research Focus

Sudakar leads the Multifunctional Materials Laboratory (MFML) at IIT Madras, where his group concentrates on "Defect Engineering of Multifunctional Materials." His research explores how defects—such as those at surfaces, interfaces, or within the lattice—affect the physical properties (optical, electrical, and magnetic) of materials. Key areas of interest include:

Nanomaterials and Thin Films: Investigating the synthesis and properties of materials like oxides, chalcogenides, and nitrides, with a focus on nanoparticles, thin films, and nanostructures.
Magnetism, Multiferroics, Photoferroelectrics: Studying materials to understand how defects influence magnetic, ferroelectric, and photovoltaic properties.
Energy Applications: Developing materials for lithium-ion batteries, solar cells (including perovskite and quantum dot sensitized solar cells), and other energy conversion technologies.
Characterization Techniques: Employing advanced tools such as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and spectroscopic methods (XPS, Raman, UV-Vis, IR) to analyze defect-structure-property correlations.

One notable contribution is his work on BiFeO₃ nanoparticles, where he demonstrated how particle size and defects (such as oxygen vacancies and microstrain) can tune the material's bandgap, magnetic properties, and photovoltaic performance. His research has shown potential for applications in solid-state photovoltaic devices and magnetic sensors.

Sudakar’s work is highly regarded in the scientific community, with over 200 publications and more than 4,000 citations to his name (as per ResearchGate data). His lab has produced several PhD graduates who have gone on to prestigious positions globally, reflecting his mentorship and influence in the field. He has also filed multiple patents, including innovations in quantum dot-based white light-emitting diodes and solar cell technologies. His work at IIT Madras continues to push the boundaries of scientific understanding and practical innovation.

Contact and Presence

Sudakar is actively engaged in the academic community and can be reached via email at csudakar@iitm.ac.in or csudakar@gmail.com. His office is located at the Department of Physics (HSB 235), IIT Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600036, India. He also maintains a presence on platforms like Twitter (@sudakarchandran) and Google Scholar, where his research contributions are documented.

https://publons.com/researcher/2680824/c-sudakar/

https://www.impactio.com/researcher/csudakar

Sudakar Chandran

Professor

Multifunctional Materials Laboratory

Department of Physics

Indian Institute of Technology Madras

Chennai 600036

(Phone: 91-44-22574895

csudakar@iitm.ac.in

Academic qualification:

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India

Materials Research

Ph.D. March 2004

Anna University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

Materials Science

M.Sc., May 1997

Islamiah College (Univ. of Madras),

Vaniyambadi, Tamilnadu, India

Physics (Major)

B.Sc., May 1995

Professional Experience:

July 2021–Present Professor, Department of Physics, IIT Madras

July 2015–July 2021 Associate Professor, Department of Physics, IIT Madras

June 2010–July 2015 Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, IIT Madras

Sep. 2009–May 2010 Assistant Professor Research, Department of Physics and Astronomy,

Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA

Sep. 2005-Aug. 2009 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Physics and Astronomy,

Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA

May 2004–Aug 2005 Visiting Guest Researcher (Carl Tryggers postdoctoral fellowship),

Royal Institute of Technology (KTH),

Dept. of Materials Science (Tmfy-MSE), Stockholm, Sweden

July 2013-Aug 2013 RWTH Aachen University and Ernst Ruska-Centre at Research Centre -DAAD fellowship

10th to 18th June 2017 Dutch company FEI (Thermo Fisher Scientific US) Eindhoven,

The Netherlands to participate in a training program of one of the newest electron microscope.

Research Interests:

Our group's research focus is on “Defect Engineering of Multifunctional Materials”. It focuses on controlling the growth and properties of a wide range of thin films, nanostructures, complex heterostructures, and 2D materials, characterizing the structural and compositional properties by a wide range of techniques with a special focus on high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and spectroscopic techniques (XPS, Raman, UV-vis, IR) to understand the defect-structure property correlations of multifunctional materials. Semiconducting oxides, multiferroics, nanostructured magnetic materials for sensor applications, transition metal chalcogenides, and nanostructured oxides for energy conversion applications are the areas of focus in our research group. Currently, three major topics of research viz, (i) Magnetic and multiferroic materials, (ii) Materials for semiconductor, perovskite, and quantum dot sensitized solar cells, and (iii) Developing cathode and anode materials for Li-ion battery applications are being pursued rigorously in the group. Topical research interests are briefly given below.

¨ Microscopic (TEM & HRTEM) and spectroscopic investigations of defects:

¨ Defect controlled structure-property correlations in multifunctional oxides and multiferroics:

¨ In-situ electrical and optical probes under high-vacuum and controlled atmosphere annealing to study oxygen vacancy influenced changes in the properties of oxide thin films

¨ Nanostructured oxide materials for Li-ion battery (LIB):

¨ Nano-oxides, semiconductor thin films and quantum dots for solar cell applications:

Labs established:

From the sponsored/consultancy projects, funded by the Department of Science and Technology and industries (Nissan and Samsung), I have established "Multifunctional Materials Lab" with research focuses on understanding defect-structure-property correlations of a wide range of multifunctional materials. The research revolves around understanding the materials from the fundamental aspects as well as exploring them from an application perspective. Specifically, materials for Li-ion battery applications, dye, and quantum dot sensitized solar cells, and magnetic sensor applications are explored in our group. Highlights from these works include developing nanowire electrodes for high-rate capability batteries and configuring a new type of solar cell called "whisperonic solar cells

Summary of the research outcome:

Publications in International Refereed Journals : 163

Review article : 1

Book Chapters : 6 + 1 (submitted)

Conference Proceedings : 3

International Conference presentations : 47

Doctoral Theses Guidance (completed) : 9

MS (by research) Thesis guidance (completed) : 1

Doctoral Theses Guidance (ongoing) : 11

Sponsored Projects Executed : 16 (12-PI; 4 ongoing; 4-co-PI)

International consultancy /Sponsored projects : 1 (completed)

Patents (Filed) : 10

Patents (Gratned) : 5

Postdoctoral fellows mentored (completed) : 4 (includes 2 NPDF)

Current postdoctoral fellows : 1

Other fellows mentored : 2 (1 ASEAN-AIRTF; 2 SERB-TARE)

Publications: Click here

Academic Identity:

Orcid Id 0000-0003-2863-338X

Scopus Id 14069136600

Researcher Id A-3393-2013

Google Scholar Id pss7hxgAAAAJ

Microsoft Academic Search Id 2064579331

Awards, Patents, Prizes:

(i) Awards/Fellowships:

2023 DFAT Australia Award Fellow, in the Faculty of Science, Faculties and Schools, the University of Sydney (10 Nov to 5th Dec 2023)

2019 Bhagyalakshmi & Krishna Ayengar Award (for having guided Tapan Kumar Das, Roll No: PH12D059, Ph.D, Physics Dept. on the project titled “Whisperonic Solar cells: Whispering Gallery mode assisted enhancement in power conversion efficiency of Dye/quantum dots sensitized solar”)

2018 Bhagyalakshmi & Krishna Ayengar Award (for having guided Mr. M. Viji, Roll No: MM14S005 M.S. Programme, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department on the project titled “High rate capability single crystalline LiFePO4 nanotubes for quick-charge lithium ion battery application”)

2017 Bhagyalakshmi & Krishna Ayengar Award (for having guided Pavana S.V. Mocherla, Roll No. PH10D030, Ph.D, Physics on the project titled “Bandgap tuned BiFeO3 perovskite for solar energy harvesting)

2017 Fellow of The Academy of Sciences, Chennai

2013 DAAD Fellowship

2006 Awarded JSPS Fellowship

2005 Carl Tryggers postdoctoral fellowship, Sweden

2004 Prof. K.P. Abraham Medal for best Ph.D. thesis in the area of Materials Chemistry (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore)

(ii) Patents: (in the last five years)

1. White light emission from novel hybrid composite of inorganic Zn-graded Cu-In-Zn-S quantum dots and organic 1,4-bis-2-(5-Phenyl oxazoyl)-benzene (POPOP) fluorophore, C. Sudakar and P. Illaiyaraja, application filed on Feb 10, 2016, Application: 201641004651 (filed)

2. Tailoring of blue, green, green-red emission from inorganic crystalline (Cd, Zn)Se quantum dots – ZnSe amorphous phase composite for white light Emitting Diode application, C. Sudakar, Tapan K Das, and P. Illaiyaraja, Application filed on Sep 02, 2016, Application: 201641030043

3. Whispering-gallery mode assisted enhancement in the power conversion efficiency of DSSC and QDSSC devices using TiO2 microsphere photoanodes, C. Sudakar, Tapan K Das, and P. Illaiyaraja, Application filed on Apr 01, 2018, Application: 201841000440

4. Maximizing current density and voltage in oxygen-vacancy controlled bismuth ferrite based thin film solar cells, C. Sudakar, B.R.K. Nanda, and Subhajit Nandy, Application filed on Sep 20, 2019, Application: 201941038083

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

Member of International Solar Energy Society (ISES)

Member of the American Physical Society (APS)

Member of the Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (MMM)

Member of The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS)

Member of Electron Microscopy Society of India (EMSI)

Member of Materials Research Society (MRS)

Life member of Indian Association of Physics Teachers

Member of Academy of Sciences, Chennai

Reviewer

(i) Journals: J. Appl. Phys; Appl. Phys. Lett.; Phys. Rev. B; Phys. Rev. Appl.; ACS Nano; ACS Energy Letters; ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces; ACS Appl. Nano Mater.; ACS Appl. Energy Mater.; RSC Advances; Chem. Mater.; Mater. Sci. Engg. B; J. Phys. Cond. Mater; J. Appl. Phys. D: J. Phys. Chem. B; Sci. Reports; Nanoscale; Nanotechnology; Appl. Surface Sci.; J. Alloys and Comp.; Thin Solid Films; J. Magn. Magn. Mater.; Solar Energy; SOLMAT; Adv. Energy. Mater.; Acta Materialia; Scripta Materialia; Adv. Mater. Interfaces; Mater. Letters; Energy Technology;

(ii) Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF)

(iii) DST-SERB

(iv) Council of Scientific & Industrial Research CSIR-Fundamental & Innovative Research in Science of Tomorrow

Page updated

Google Sites

Report abuse