News/Events
PAIR Network on Advanced Materials at IISc, Bangalore
Hands-on Workshop on XRD and SEM
12th to 16th January 2026, Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) are two most widely characterization technique used by wide variety of researchers working in the field of materials. Realizing a need for scholars involved in the advanced materials research, IISc organized a week-long hands-one workshop on XRD and SEM. The workshop included the following:
Theory segments
- XRD: Basic crystallography, basics of XRD, powder XRD, small-angle X-ray scattering and surface scattering
- SEM: SEM instrumentation and sample preparation, electron optics and electron specimen interactions, imaging in SEM and spectroscopy using electrons (EDS and WDS techniques)
Hands-on segment
- XRD (powder XRD, SAXS, thin-films)
- SEM imaging and spectroscopy
- FIB and related Techniques
The following were resource persons:
- Professor Rajesh Prasad (IIT Delhi)
- Professor Sunita Srivastava (IIT Bombay)
- Professor Sanjay Singh (IIT BHU)
- Professor Mrinmay K. Mukhopadhyay (Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics)
- Professor Chandan Srivastava (IISc Bangalore)
- Professor Surendra Kumar Makineni (IISc Bangalore)
The workshop was attended by more than 65 researchers, including JRF, SRF, faculty members, etc., from all seven partner institutions:
- NIT Nagaland
- Shivaji University
- Calicut University
- IIEST Shibpur
- Pondicherry University
- Kumaun University
- Bangalore University
Based on the feedback of the participants, it can be concluded that the workshop helped students to understand important material characterization techniques for identification of crystal structure, phase composition, surface morphology, microstructure, etc. The workshop enhanced practical skills and will be useful for their research and project work in materials science.
Hands-on a workshop on becoming an Effective Doctoral Supervisor
16 and 17th, March 2026, IISC Bengaluru
An insightful workshop in association with Center of Policy Research at IISc, ANRF PAIR Network on Advanced Materials at IISc, successfully organized a Hands-on a workshop on becoming an Effective Doctoral Supervisor conducted by Prof. Maresi Nerad, Emeritus professor, University of Washington, USA. The event brought together 24 participants in total, including 12 faculty members from partner institutions and 12 participants from IISc. Besides learning about how to mentor PhD students, we also hope that participants from partner institutions can build good rapport with those participating from IISc and build collaborations. The session highlighted key strategies to support PhD scholars, ensuring quality research and academic growth.
