Projects under the Collaboration of University at Buffalo and BITS Pilani

The collaboration between BITS Pilani and UB (University at Buffalo) brings together two prestigious institutions with a shared commitment to advancing research and innovation in cutting-edge fields. This partnership aims to foster academic excellence through joint research initiatives, the exchange of knowledge, and the development of technologies that address global challenges. 

1. Wide Bandgap Devices and Power Electronics - EUV Detection

Summary: Design and development of efficient self-powered solar-blind photodetectors based on 2D materials and UWBG heterojunctions for wireless UV communication.
PI Names and Affiliations:

• Prof. Satyendra Kumar Mourya (EEE, Pilani)
  Prof. Sarbani Ghosh (EEE, Pilani)
  Prof. Upendra Mohan Bhatt (EEE, Pilani)
  Domain: EEE, BITS Pilani
  UB Faculty Members: Prof. Uttam Sigisetti, Prof. Paras Prasad

3. Sensors and Bioelectronics - 2D Materials for Breath Biomarker Sensors

Summary: Engineered 2D material-based FET sensor system modeling, design, and fabrication for rapid screening of disease biomarkers in exhaled breath.
PI Names and Affiliations:

• Prof. Arnab Hazra (EEE, Pilani)
  Dr. Sayan Kanungo (EEE, Hyderabad Campus)
  Domain: EEE, Pilani
  UB Faculty Members: Prof. Bibhudatta Sahoo, Prof. Mark Swihart, Prof. Thomas Thundat
  
  
  

4. Sensors and Bioelectronics - Microchip Capillary Electrophoretic for Diagnosis

Summary: Microfluidic chip development with integrated electrodes, miniaturized circuits, sensing subsystems, and ML integration for self-calibration and improved accuracy.
PI Names and Affiliations:

• Prof. Satish K. Dubey (MechE, Hyderabad)
  Prof. Venkatesh K. P. Rao (MechE, Pilani)
  Prof. Ramakrishnan Ganesan (Chemistry, Hyderabad)
  Domain: MechE, Hyderabad
  UB Faculty Members: Prof. Thomas Thundat, Prof. Paras Prasad, Prof. Jonathan Bird
   

5. 2D Materials and Devices - MXene/Graphene Supercapacitors

Summary: Development of novel materials based on 2D (MXene/Graphene) and nanoparticles for applications in supercapacitors and efficient electrocatalysts/photoelectrocatalysts for energy conversion (e.g., H2 production by water splitting).
PI Names and Affiliations:

• Prof. Narendra Nath Ghosh (Chemistry, Goa)
  Prof. Sarbani Ghosh (Chemical, Pilani)
  Domain: Chemistry, Goa
  UB Faculty Members: Prof. Mark T. Swihart, Dr. Fei (Faye) Yao
  
  

6. 2D Materials and Devices - Neuromorphic Computing Applications

Summary: Development of 2D materials-based FET devices for neuromorphic computing applications, with efforts to make devices flexible while retaining their electronic properties.
PI Names and Affiliations:

• Prof. Parikshit Sahatiya (EEE, Hyderabad)
  Prof. Abhijit Pethe (EEE, Goa)
  Prof. Navneet Gupta (EEE, Pilani)
  Domain: EEE, Hyderabad
  UB Faculty Members: Prof. Jonathan Bird, Prof. Paras Prasad, Prof. Bibhudatta Sahoo
  
  

7. Quantum Photonics - Quantum State Generation

Summary: LNOI's strong nonlinearity allows efficient manipulation of light for quantum state generation (QRNG), paving the way for miniaturized and scalable quantum technologies.
PI Names and Affiliations:

• Prof. Rahul Singhal (EEE, Pilani)
  Prof. Subhradeep Pal (EEE, Hyderabad)
  Prof. Raj Kumar Gupta (Physics, Pilani)
  Domain: EEE, Pilani
  UB Faculty Members: Prof. Vasili Perbeinos, Prof. Paras Prasad, Prof. Jonathan Bird
  
  

8. Quantum Photonics - Silicon Photonic Devices

Summary: Using dilute nitride InAs quantum dots grown directly on Si to create integrated photonic circuits, addressing the challenge of efficient light emitters on Si.
PI Names and Affiliations:

• Prof. Ramesh Vasan (EEE, Goa)
  Prof. Rahul Kumar (EEE, Pilani)
  Domain: EEE, Goa
  UB Faculty Members: Prof. Vasili Perbeinos, Prof. Paras Prasad, Prof. Jonathan Bird
  
  
  

9. Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy - Electrocatalysts for Water Electrolyzers

Summary: Development of efficient and durable (photo)electrocatalysts for water electrolyzers and hybrid water electrolyzers, integration with photovoltaic devices for green H2 production.
PI Names and Affiliations:

• Prof. Surojit Pande (Chemistry, Pilani)
  Prof. Kiran Vankayala (Chemistry, Goa)
  Prof. Mrinmoyee Basu (Chemistry, Pilani)
  Domain: Chemistry, Pilani
  UB Faculty Members: Prof. Mark Swihart, Prof. Wanyi Nie, Prof. Ian Sellers
  
  
  

10. Photovoltaics and Renewable Energy - Solar PV Technology and Power Converters

Summary: Design and development of electrical interfacing (power converters and controllers) for converting Solar PV electricity into usable electricity for water-splitting and H2 generation, alongside quantum material-based electrochemical energy conversion devices.
PI Names and Affiliations:

• Prof. Ankur Bhattacharjee (EEE, Hyderabad)
  Prof. Naveen Srivastava (MechE, Dubai)
  Domain: EEE, Hyderabad
  UB Faculty Members: Prof. Ian Sellers, Prof. Wanyi Nie