Functional Materials & Devices

Functional materials have been at the forefront of scientific research, offering unprecedented opportunities for technological advancements across a wide range of applications. These materials, designed with specific properties and capabilities, have the potential to revolutionize fields such as sensors and actuators, energy storage and displays. The advancement of nanotechnology has provided a further impetus to enhancing and tuning the functionality of the materials to meet the specific needs in device development. For example, catalytic nanoparticles anchored on two dimensional nanosheets like graphene, graphitic carbon nitride or molybdenum sulphide can enhance the effective surface area as well as electron transfer rate, thereby enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio manifold. Multi-functionalization strategies, which involve integrating multiple functionalities into a single material, have also emerged as a promising approach. These strategies have the potential to enhance system-level efficiency, increase performance, and enable new applications. For instance, multi-functional piezoelectric nanogenerator can be fabricated, based on ferroelectric materials and nanoscale conductive fillers, for self-powered electronic and optoelectronic devices. There is an enormous opportunity to ‘play around’ with the functional nanomaterials and we are committed to churn the best out of it.

The Functional Materials and Devices Division (FMDD) at CSIR-CGCRI, Kolkata hosts a pool of scientists from a diversified academic background, which enables to pursue a gamut of state-of-the-art, cross disciplinary research in the thriving areas of chemical sensing, biosensing, energy harvesting, energy storage and electrochromicity. Synthesis of application-specific morphology-tuned nanomaterials and composites is one of the primary focus areas of FMDD. Synthesis of single-layer graphene, (reduced) graphene oxide nanoplatelets (rGO), other 2D nanomaterials such as graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄), molybdenum sulphide (MoS₂) and MXenes, the allied nano-composites, ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials (like PZT and PVDF) as well as a range of phase-change materials are at the core of our functional material research. Aligned with the mission of CSIR, the Functional Materials and Devices Division is engaged in developing cutting-edge technologies to meet the societal and industrial needs, which include –

The ceaseless efforts of Scientists, Technical Staff and Research Scholars of FMDD have enabled advancement and maturation of several technologies and enhancing their TRL up to prototyping (TRL 5) and field-trial (TRL 7). The R&D endeavours of FMDD are aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3, 7, 9, 11 and 13) of the United Nations as well as synchronise with the Govt. of India’s missions. One of the technologies developed at FMDD has been accredited by the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, Govt. of India.

Entrepreneurs and investors are welcome to explore the promising technologies developed by the Functional Materials and Devices Division (FMDD) and initiate discussion on potential technology transfer through the Business Development & Publication Division of CSIR-CGCRI, Kolkata.

• LPG leakage alarm
• Trace moisture sensors
• Piezoelectric wafers for NDE of structures
• Packaged multilayer piezoelectric actuators ( Under Development )

Patents:

• Title of the Invention: “Al (III) Incorporated Li-Ion Based Free Standing Solid Gel Electrolyte for Enhancement of Optical Contrast of Electrochromic Window Glass”; Inventors: Susmita Kundu, Ms. Saheli Bhattacharjee and Mr. Sovandeb Sen; Indian Patent Application no.: 202411038199; Filing date: 15.05.2024.
• Title of the Invention: “Shape-stabilized phase change materials for temperature regulation and preparation thereof”; Inventors: Swastik Mondal and Mr. Anagha Ghosh; Indian Patent Application no.: 202311084178; Filing date: 18.12.2023.
• Title of the Invention: “An improved chemiresistive gas sensor module with in-built electromagnet and gas detection method thereof”; Inventors: Swastik Mondal and Ms. Pratyasha Rudra; Indian Patent Application no.: 202311080869; Filing date: 28.11.2023.
• Title of the Invention: “Smartphone-Interfaced Handheld Neuro-transmitter Sensor and the Method thereof for Non-Invasive Detection of Target Analytes”; Inventors: Dr. Somenath Roy and Ms. Ankita Dutta Chowdhury, Indian Patent Application no.: 202311028952; Filing date:04.2023.
• Title of the Invention: “A novel metal oxide-polymer nano composite for ammonia sensing at temperatures below ambient including sub-zero temperatures”; Inventors: Swastik Mondal and Mr. Nirman Chakraborty, Indian Patent Application no.: 202111015506; Filing date: 31.03.2021.
• Filed International patent under PCT on “a novel metal oxide-polymer nano composite for ammonia sensing at temperatures below ambient including sub-zero temperatures”; Patent Application no.: PCT/IN2022/050309; Filing date:03.2022.
• US Patent applied “Metal oxide-polymer nano composite for ammonia sensing at temperatures below ambient including sub-zero temperatures” Patent Application no.: 18/264238
• European Patent applied; Patent Application no.:4
• Title of the Invention: “A green process for fabricating low- cost alumina tubes as substrates for various sensor development”; Inventors: Dr Debdulal Saha, Dr. Sagnik Das, Dr. P Sujatha Devi; Indian Patent Application no.: 202011052606; Filing date:11.2020
• Title of the Invention: “A process for preparation of thin film moisture sensor for determination of trace moisture in gaseous phase”; Inventors: Debdulal Saha, Dr. Sagnik Das, Dr. P Sujatha Devi; Indian patent no. 502781; Filing date on 23.10.2019; Sealing date 24.01.2024.

Trademarks:

• NeurOnScreen^TM (under class 10: Medical apparatus and instruments); Applicant name: Somenath Roy; Trademark Application no.: 6084859, dated 29.08.2023

Dr. Mrinal Pal, 
Chief Scientist & Head
Phone: (033) 24838083
Fax: +91-33-24730957
E-mail:  palm@cgcri.res.in