👉 BRIEF BIO

Dr. Babasaheb R. Sankapal is a renowned Indian physicist and materials scientist, currently serving as Professor in the Department of Physics at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT), Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. He is a former Head of the Department of Physics, Chairman of the Board of Studies, and Associate Dean (Examinations) at VNIT.

He earned his Ph.D. in 2001 from Shivaji University, Kolhapur, under the guidance of Prof. C. D. Lokhande. Following his doctorate, he gained international experience as a Scientist at the Helmholtz Centre in Berlin, Germany; a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow at Gifu University, Japan; and a Research Associate at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.

Dr. Sankapal is widely recognized for his contributions to nanomaterials and energy technologies. His research focuses on the synthesis and application of nano- and quantum materials in solar cells (including dye-sensitized and quantum dot-based), supercapacitors (electrochemical energy storage), and gas sensors. He employs simple, cost-effective chemical methods such as chemical bath deposition and SILAR to develop high-performance, flexible devices.

Key Achievements and Recognitions

• Listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists (Stanford University database) for consecutive years, including 2020–2025 (in both career-long and single-year categories).

• Ranked 104th in India and 6919th globally in Materials Science according to Research.com (2025 rankings).

• Achieved a strong AD Scientific Index ranking (India rank under 400 in recent listings).

• Top in VNIT among faculties as per Scopus h-Index and Citations & Google Scholar h-Index 

Awards and Honors

• Young Scientist Outstanding Work Presentation Award by the Materials Research Society of Japan (MRS-J) in 2005.

• Selected by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, to participate in the Lindau Meeting of Nobel Laureates in Germany (2001).

• Recipient of the Vidyan Ratn Award from Vidarbha Gaurav Pratishthan, Nagpur.

• ·Vice-President (Nagpur Region) & Fellow of Maharashtra Academy of Sciences (FMASc)-(ALF1073)

 Recent Highlights

• Participated as a Senior S&T Leader in the Emerging Science, Technology, and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2025) in New Delhi, inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• Appointed as a Member of the National Expert Advisory Committee (NEAC) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) for the New & Emerging Energy Storage Technologies (NEST) program (announced in 2025).

•  Felicitated by DST as VNIT representative for sanction of 1 Crore- in Annual Quantum Conclave under National Quantum Mission (NQM) for the establishment of UG teaching laboratories in quantum technologies at IIT Mumbai

Research, Teaching, and Impact

With 27+ years of research experience and 17+ years of teaching, Dr. Sankapal has:

• Secured 10 major research projects worth approximately ₹2.82 crore.

• As Head of Department, successfully obtained a DST-FIST grant of around ₹2.19–2.47 crore for the department.

• Led initiatives including the upcoming launch of a B.Tech in Engineering Physics program at VNIT.

• Supervised 18 Ph.D. scholars, working 8 and supervised 21 M.Sc. project students. Many of his Ph.D. graduates have pursued postdoctoral positions in prestigious institutions across Germany, Japan, the UK, USA, Denmark, Spain, South Korea, and Israel. Notably, two of his students have been included in the World’s Top 2% Scientists list (2024 & 2025).

• Served as Coordinator for MoUs between VNIT and Virginia Commonwealth University, USA, and CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad.

Publications and Intellectual Contributions

• Authored over 227 research papers in high-impact journals.

• Scopus metrics: h-index ≈60, citations 9200+ (average ~40 per paper).

• Google Scholar metrics: h-index ≈69, citations 10,500+ (average ~45 per paper), with an average journal impact factor of ~5.

• Edited one book (Springer), contributed three book chapters (Springer & Elsevier).

• Holds two granted Indian patents, filed 03 Indian Patents (01 with IIT Madras)

Dr. Sankapal has delivered invited talks and participated in international meetings in countries including Germany, Japan, USA, Switzerland, Poland, and France. He is also a sought-after speaker on topics such as NIRF rankings, scientific writing, project drafting, nanomaterials, supercapacitors, solar cells, and career opportunities after science degrees.

Work continues to advance sustainable energy solutions and nanotechnology applications, making significant contributions to India's research landscape in emerging energy technologies.