Novel Technique to achieve Independent motion of Magnetic Micro/Nanoswimmers We have developed a novel technique to achieve independent motion of magnetic micro/nanoswimmers. The method uses oscillating magnetic field to actuate micron sized helical structures that show reciprocal motion with enhanced diffusivity [1]. The motile nanostructures can be used as a model system to study active matter. |
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MEMS pressure transducers Pressure sensors comprise about 60% of the MEMS market. Among the various types of pressure sensors, piezoresistive pressure sensors are easy to design to suit a wide range of pressures. Our pressure transducers are miniature piezoresistive based sensors fabricated using silicon micromachining techniques, which enable great precision in realizing the diaphragm. The diaphragm acts as the sensing element and the piezoresistors serve as transducers. |
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vibrations to electricity Energy in vibrations is a potential source of power for low power sensing nodes. Sensing nodes are employed for intelligent ambient monitoring and information dissemination. The primary challenge in making a sensing node autonomous is the ability to power it continuously. The conventional method of powering these nodes through batteries has an associated drawback of periodic maintenance and replacement. |
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Nanotechnology in India: current status and future prospects One possible means of bridging the gap between India’s abundant, varied natural resources and her ever-increasing requirements like clean water, food and rapid, low cost diagnostic machinery is the use of nanotechnology, write Arindam Ghosh and Yamuna Krishnan in the international journal Nature Nanotechnology. |
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Silver nanoparticles adorn graphene to utilise light effectively The most ubiquitous form of energy around us, light, is surprisingly underutilised. This is largely because photo-based devices are very inefficient at absorbing and then converting light into a useful electrical signal. Now researchers at the Indian Institute of Science have designed a novel device based on graphene and metal nanoparticles that shows greatly enhanced response to light and is colour sensitive. This may foster applications like colour based ultra-sensitive photodetectors, efficient solar cells and detection of single molecules. |
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Blend of polymers and nanostructures that kills bacteria in drinking water Researchers from the IISc have developed a new way to design thin, porous membranes that can be used for water filtration. By carefully mixing two polymers, and adding some nanostructures, they obtained membranes with ultrasmall holes in it. They have also shown that these membranes are more efficient in killing the bacteria commonly found in drinking water. |
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It is a battery if it moves Devices, sensors and lights everywhere. These elements increasingly surround us in a modern setting. What do all these cogs of technology need in common? Power, to run uninterrupted. Often this power is provided by bulky batteries that need timely replacement making them an inconvenience. What if these devices, sensors and tiny lights could run on energy extracted out of thin air! |
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New material to protect organic electronics from moisture Protecting organic devices against water vapour is a concern for many scientists. Organic devices are known to be highly reactive to atmospheric water vapour, a significant cause for their premature degradation. A successful solution was generated by a team of four researchers at the Department of Chemical Engineering in IISc. Using a polymeric nanocomposite, they have devised an efficient and economical barrier to protect organic devices. |
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Scientists find a way to remote control tiny nanostructures IISc researchers have successfully found a way to navigate tiny, geometrically identical filaments, and subsequently place them at predefined positions with respect to each other. The method works without any physical contact with the filaments, and this can have important applications in nanomedicine. |
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Researchers at IISc fabricate the best hydrogen gas sensor in the world “When hydrogen gas comes in contact with air, it becomes a bomb.” says Prof. Navakanta Bhat from the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, and Department of Electrical Communication Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Hydrogen gas sensors have made it possible to detect leaks and maintain high levels of safety. Prof. Bhat and his group of scientists at IISc have succeeded in designing the best hydrogen gas sensor known till date. |
NEMS Lab / Micro and Nano Sensors Lab
The Micro and Nano Sensors Lab focuses on physics and applications of Nanoelectromechanical Systems (NEMS). Activities of this lab include fabrication of resonant NEMS devices with frequencies in VHF and UHF ranges, novel actuation and detection schemes at these frequencies and nano-dimensions, study of noise processes that govern the frequency stability of these ultra-sensitive devices and their utility in various applications including NEMS mass spectrometery and gas sensing. Facilities include a NEMS-based mass spectrometery system, two closed cycle cryostats capable of reaching below 10K, an ultra-high vacuum system to probe frequency noise in NEMS devices and electrical characterization equipment including spectrum analyzers and microwave signal sources.
Bio Sensors Lab
Focuses on developing low-cost biosensors for various bioanalytes of interest. Involves study of various surface modification methodologies. Facilities include electrochemical workstation, chemical synthesis equipment, equipment for processing biomolecules.
MEMS/MOEMS Lab
Design and development of MEMS inertial sensors, MEMS microphones, capacitive and peizoelectric ultrasound transducers (CMUTs and PMUTs), suspended gate FET-coupled MEMS sensors, all-optical actuation and sensing MEMS, study of energy dissipation in micro and nanoscale structural vibrations, study of microscale biosensors in insects, haltere dynamics, and cell dynamics. Facilities include experimental measurement tools for subnanoscale vibrations, angular rate measurements, ultrasound transmitters and receivers, and optical imaging, including high speed videography.
Biophotonics and Bioengineering
Our work follows two themes. One is the development of sensors to sense various molecules (molecular sensors) for bio/chemical applications and the other is to understand the molecular sensing process in terms of robustness to interference or perturbation. The robustness often emerges as a consequence of complexity in sensor design and/or in sensory signal processing. Examples of complexity in sensor design could be our olfactory receptors which enable our sense of smell or the signalling cascades employed by immune cells in our body to identify infective pathogens. We are interested in understanding the performance limits of molecular sensing, i.e. limits of sensitivity, accuracy, tolerance to interference and so on.
Optics, Nanostructures and Quantum Fluids
Study of optical and hydrodynamic properties of nanostructured particles and films, with emphasis on developing nanoscale drug delivery vehicles and nanoplasmonic sensors for biological applications. Facilities include nanostructured thin film fabrication system, optical microscope, and various optical characterization tools.
Gas Sensors Lab
The Lab has facilities to characterize sensors employing different concentrations of gases – both inorganic and volatile organics – from ppb (~1) to ppm (>10,000); an IR camera to study the thermal morphology of microheaters; a microdispenser to dispense a desired amount of an analyte (solution) with a 20 μm spatial resolution. The lab also has the facility to fabricate sputtering targets of sensor materials.
Functional Thin Films Lab
The lab conducts investigations on influence of process parameters on the structure and properties of functional thin films, leading to the development of micro and nano sensors and actuators. Faciltiies include evaporation, sputtering and ion beam systems, designed and fabricated for specific requirements.
Photovoltaics and Energy Lab
The lab is primarily designed to fabricate various types of photovoltaic devices. The lab also shares the workload of the National Nano Fabrication Facility.
Polymer Process Lab
The lab specializes in microwavebased chemical synthesis, wet-etching, chemical processing, electrochemical characterization, organic electronics, and thin-film batteries.
Non-linear Photonics and High Power Lasers Lab
This laboratory focuses on development of novel optical sources and processing technologies for varied applications from optical communications, sensing and biomedical imaging to high power industrial and defense lasers. Fundamental research on non-linear optics in guided-wave devices, an enabler for many of the novel laser technologies, is also undertaken.
Neuro-Electronics Lab
The research emphasis is on interfacing neurons of the brain with electronic devices. The broad aim is to understand how learning takes place in biological neuronal networks using electrical and optical recording and stimulation, and to utilize it for robotic control. Facilities available are: nanofabrication of multi-electrode arrays, tissue culture laboratory for neuronal culture, electrophysiology rigs for multi-electrode array recording with feedback control, an electronics lab bench, high-end microscopes with fast fluorescence imaging and optical stimulation of neurons using a femto-second laser.
Heterojunction Lab
This laboratory conducts research in design, fabrication and characterization of novel electronic devices. The focus is on integrating different semiconductor materials with each other, e.g. silicon with metal-oxides or germanium to silicon. Such heterogenous integration introduces novel functionality and improves performance for the next generation of electronic devices.
Photonics
Photonics Research Laboratory is a dedicated characterization facility for integrated photonic devices and circuits. The primary focus of the lab is to develop high-speed integrated photonic devices for next-generation computing and communication. The lab houses a comprehensive high-speed electro-optic testbed for characterizing bandwidth of discrete devices such as Wavelength filters, light modulators, photodetectors, and amplifiers in the O, C, and L bands. The device and circuits developed are tested using a custom developed vertical and horizontal optical probe station. Research in the lab is also aimed at exploiting the photonic circuit for on-chip gas and biosensors. Spectrometers spanning from visible to Near-IR are used to develop such on-chip sensors.
CeNSE works with several hazardous materials and equipment. We operate with considerable autonomy, so it our responsibility to maintain the highest levels of safety. Furthermore, safety is an important part of any training in nanoelectronics. Potential job givers, be it industry or academia, expect a certain awareness about safety. This is especially true for leadership positions where project managers are responsible for the safety of their whole group. Remember, at CeNSE, it is always Safety First.
The four essential principles of safety are:
FOLLOW RULES
Safety may mean different things to different people. To prevent confusion, we institute policies that clearly define standards for safe work practices. These rules need to be followed in letter and spirit, even if they appear burdensome or pointless. Trust us, there is a reason for everything. DO THINGS THE RIGHT WAY, NOT THE QUICK WAY.
BE ACCOUNTABLE
Everyone is personally responsible for safety. Be a good citizen. Highlight hazards using labels, notices and signage, so that other are adequately warned. Act responsibly in the event of an accident. Confront unsafe behaviour, even if it is uncomfortable to do so. SAFETY IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBLITY.
TRUST STRUCTURES MORE THAN PEOPLE
No matter how careful they are, people make mistakes. An effective safety policy does not rely on people to be “careful” but relies on systems to reduce the probability of accidents. Prior to beginning any project, think about all the things that can go wrong. Focus should be on reducing the probability of hazards, even the improbable ones, by intelligently designed precautions. Seek solutions that are “idiot-proof”.
RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES
In case of an emergency, everyone must respond quickly and effectively. Be familiar with fire exits, assembly points, fire alarms, fire extinguishers, eyewash stations, safety showers, spill kits, and first aid boxes. Just a few moments of preparation could save a life during an emergency.
In case of confusion please refer to the CENSE safety manual. For any clarification, feel free to drop an email to safety.cense@iisc.ac.in. Be safe.