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DR. NISHA RANJAN

Postdoc

Research

 

The triboelectric effect describes the electrification of two similar or dissimilar materials as a result of rubbing or contact. Though, the charge build-up through contacting did not gain much attention because of its adverse effects like electric shocks, short circuits, and machine failures. In this project, I look at the other side of the coin which is the utilization of such a phenomenon to harvest energy. So, the ultimate aim of my project is to understand the triboelectric effect and maximize the efficiency of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) with functional materials. In my work, I use experimental techniques like Atomic Force Microscopy, Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy, X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, and Infrared spectroscopy to understand the charge generation and separation mechanisms at interfaces. This will provide deep insight into the physical origin of these charges and their manifestation at the interfaces, which will then be employed to harvest energy for the adaptive material system.

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Education 

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  • 2022 - 2024 Postdoctoral researcher, Cluster of Excellence livMatS and Institute of Physical Chemistry, University of Freiburg, Germany

  • 2016 - 2022 PhD in Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, India

  • 2011 - 2016 Integrated M.Tech in Nanotechnology, Central University of Jharkhand, India

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Awards & Fellowships

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  • 2019 Best Poster Award, ACS Chemistry of Materials

  • 2018 Best Presentation Award, Soft Materials Research Society

  • 2016 Half Teaching Research Assistance Fellowship, MHRD Govt. of India

  • 2016 JASSO, Govt. of Japan

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Publications

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2022

A. R. Dhanya, N. Ranjan, and  S. Ramaprabhu, Hydrogen storage studies of Co, Fe, Fe3C nanoparticles encapsulated nitrogen doped carbon nanotubes,  Energy Storage, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1002/est2.421

 

N. Ranjan, M. S. Lal, M. Kamaraj and S. Ramaprabhu, Tribological study of iron infused carbon nanotubes additive in gearbox, engine, and vegetable-based lubricants, Tribology International, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2022.107538

 

2021

N. Ranjan, R. C. Shende, M. Kamaraj and S. Ramaprabhu, Utilization of TiO2/gC3N4 nanoadditive to boost oxidative properties of vegetable oil for tribological application, Friction, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40544-019-0336-9

 

2020

B. Sivakumar, N. Ranjan, S. Ramaprabhu, M. Kamaraj, Tribological properties of graphite oxide derivative as nano-additive: synthesized from the waste carbon source, Tribology International, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2019.105990

 

N. Ranjan, M. Kamaraj, S. Ramaprabhu , In situ eduction of graphitic oxide by amorphization of Magnesium Diboride for the superior thermo-optical property based nanofluid applications, Materials Today Chemistry 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtchem.2020.100354 

 

2016

K. Ghosh, N. Ranjan, Y. K. Verma, C. S. Tan, Graphene-CNT hetero-structure for next generation interconnects, RSC Advances, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1039/C6RA04820J

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