Avradeep's interests lie in the sphere of development, understanding and utilisation of novel phenomena that arises at hybrid material interfaces, and development of several novel quantum devices. The major focus is on the interface of thin film superconductors and ferromagnets. His work therefore spans from controlled Ultra High Vacuum growth of ultra thin film (2nm and lower) multi­layers, to nanofabrication of these layers into devices like tunnel junctions, spin valves, Jospehson junctions; and subsequent low temperature electronic transport measurements of such devices. For achieving the same, he has developed several highly customised UHV thin film deposition and fabrication systems, and has standardised a industry level niobium based junction fabrication process. This has led to the discovery of novel cryogenic memory devices and other cryogenic components such as Josephson diodes that are crucial for upcoming era of quantum technologies.

Prof Amartya Mukhopadhyay completed his Doctoral in Materials Research from the University of Oxford, UK, in 2009. He did his postdoctoral Research at Brown University, USA, for a couple of years. He is a Young Associate of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and served as the Honorary Secretary of Mumbai Chapter of the Indian Institute of Metals (IIM). His research interests include materials for electrochemical energy storage (focusing on alkali metalion batteries) and engineering ceramics. Among his major accomplishments, he has been awarded with the ‘SwarnaJayanti Fellowship 2020­21’, recognized by the Royal Society of Chemistry (UK) journals as one of the ‘2019 Emerging Investigators’, awarded with the 'IIT Bombay Research Dissemination Award 2018', 'INAE Young Engineer Award 2016', 'ASM­IIM North America Visiting Lectureship 2016', 'IIT Bombay Young Investigator Award 2014' and 'Dr. R. L. Thakur Memorial Award' by the 'Indian Ceramic Society' in 2013.

Prof. Abhinandan Gangopadhyay is interested in applying advanced electron microscopy techniques to study defects and interfaces in advanced functional and structural materials. He has previously studied the core structure of various interfacial defects such as dissociated 60° dislocation [1], Lomer dislocation [2], dissociated 90° dislocation [3] in GaAs(001)­based heterostructures using high­angle annular­dark­field (HAADF) mode of aberration­corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC­STEM). Prof. Gangopadhyay has also worked on STEM­EDX characterization of grain boundary segregation in novel polycrystalline GaInP solar cells. As part of his recent industrial work experience, he has worked on nanometer­scale characterization of state­of­the­art semiconductor devices using focused ion beam (FIB) technique in conjunction with AC­STEM. His current research interests include segregation studies using STEM spectrum images and strain mapping using geometric phase analysis (GPA) and 4D STEM in advanced materials.

Abhijeet works in the broad area of thin films of functional materials for various applications. He is particularly interested in employing nanostructuring to enhance various properties of thin films of functional materials. One of the main themes of his research is self­assembled vertically aligned nanocomposite (VAN) films incorporating functional materials such as piezoelectrics, ferroelectrics, thermoelectrics and photoactive materials for applications in the areas of tunable high frequency devices 1 , sensors and actuators; energy harvesting 2 and storage; non­volatile memories 3 , etc. Abhijeet leverages the pulsed laser deposition facilities available in the department to grow these films. Besides, he is also working towards building a multi­target co- sputter deposition facility equipped with advanced in situ diagnostics. Drawing inspiration from his prior work in aerosol­jet printing technology 4 , Abhijeet is also working on developing bespoke inks of functional materials for various printed electronic devices. In the past, Abhijeet was a part of the corporate R & D division of Applied Materials India, where he worked on large area deposition of thin films of various piezoelectric materials. Given his background in industry, Abhijeet is highly passionate about translational research, taking lab­scale ideas to working prototypes/scaling up studies.