About Me

I began my academic journey by earning my M.Sc. from the prestigious School of Physics at D. A. University in Indore in 1997, followed by my Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur in 2003, where I had the privilege of working under the guidance of Prof. K. Shahi. After completing my Ph.D., I spent nearly a year as a CSIR project scientist in the Department of Physics at IIT Kanpur, collaborating closely with Prof. S. C. Agarwal. 

In June 2004, I made a meaningful transition to the Physics Department at BITS-Pilani, starting as a Lecturer. It was a significant step for me, and I embraced the opportunity to grow and contribute to the field. By January 2006, I took on the role of Assistant Professor, and I was honored to be promoted to Associate Professor in February 2013. Today, I am proud to serve as a Professor of Physics since July 2018. 

My research is centered on experimental solid-state ionics, where I actively study fast ionic solids and their impactful applications in energy devices. At Pilani, my research group excels in exploring the ionic and electronic properties of glasses, glass-ceramics, polymers, and polymer-ceramic hybrids for electrolytic applications. We also work towards the development of novel cathodes and anodes for energy storage devices. We are committed to advancing the development of high-energy-density batteries and supercapacitors as solid-state ionic devices. The Materials Physics Laboratory is fully equipped for materials development, as well as the fabrication and rigorous characterization of batteries and supercapacitors, enabling us to push the boundaries of innovation in this field. We are collaborating with colleagues in the chemistry department of BITS Pilani, Pilani and Goa campus, researchers at CSIR-CEERI, Pilani, RRCAT, Indore, UGC-DAE-CSR, Indore, and IIT Kanpur to achieve goals. 

I have executed several extramural grants. I was a visiting INSA-Polish Academy of Science international exchange programme fellow in 2014. I have successfully supervised seven PhD students and am currently guiding five more. My students have gone on to excel in prestigious institutions as researchers/scientists/faculty members, including IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, Ola Electric, NTPC Delhi,  Applied Materials in Mumbai, and postdoctoral positions abroad. 

I was the convener of the 12th National Conference on Solid State Ionics organized at BITS, Pilani (December 21-23, 2017). 

Administrative responsibilities in BITS:

HOD Physics: September 2016-August 2018

Associate Dean, Faculty Affairs:
Ist term: January 2014- August 2018,
Second Term: September 2018-August 2022,
Third Term: Sept 2022- August 2024

Fourth term: since September 2024 - continuing

https://scholar.google.com.tw/citations?user=Qnd41esAAAAJ&hl=en

https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=7006341925

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9353-9950